 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Office Design Case Study - Waterfall SolutionsWaterfall Solutions provide technology consultancy, training and specialist software and hardware products to clients who require a fresh approach to analytical, mathematical or data processing projects. The company contacted Saracen Office Interiors just prior to completion of the purchase of their new two-storey offices in Guildford, Surrey. First Floor Their initial requirement was for desks, chairs and storage for the first floor office as a matter of urgency in order to be able to move in to the new premises. In less than two weeks Saracen prepared and obtained approval for layouts for the first floor office to accommodate workstations together with storage furniture. In just over four weeks from receiving initial contact, Saracen had installed new furniture ready for occupation. Ground Floor Waterfall Solutions then explained their proposal to create a conference room and reception area on the ground floor. The original ground floor was L-shaped which naturally lead to the location of the conference room across the full width of the end of the ground floor allowing more than adequate space to accommodate a 3-metre conference table to seat 10 to 12 people. To form the conference room, a partition wall across the width of the ground floor was required. After discussion with Waterfall Solutions, Saracen constructed this conference room wall using full height single glazed silicone jointed partitioning to allow natural light through into the remainder of the ground floor from the external windows in the end wall of the conference room to create a feeling of space whilst still effectively providing a separate conference room.
In order to comply with the requirements of Approved Document M for people with visual impairment any glazed screen must be clearly defined using manifestation on the glass on at least two levels. In addition there must be no doubt as to the location of the door. For compliance, Saracen submitted various designs using Waterfall Solutions' logo as the basis for the design. The frosted manifestation selected for the chosen design provides privacy within the conference room but still allows the natural light through together with the feeling of space. The remainder of the ground floor was dedicated as a reception area with plenty of soft seating for visitors.
The silicone glazed partitioning also provides reasonable good resistance to sound in the region of around 36dB. This means that someone speaking in a loud voice would be heard but speech would not be discernable. To overcome the problem of sound transference over the top of the glazed partitioning acoustic insulation was installed in the ceiling void between the suspended ceiling and the underside of the structural floor. The only remaining passage for sound transference was around the frameless glass door. This was partially overcome or at least improved by locating the door close to the side wall away from the likely source of any speech or conversation within the conference room. There was also a small open existing kitchen on the ground floor adjacent to the conference room. This was an ideal facility to have in this area but needed to be partitioned off and enclosed with a matching crown cut Ash veneer door so that the kitchen was not visible to visitors. Reference Moira Smith, Managing Director, Waterfall Solutions: "What I would comment on is Saracen's attention to detail. They asked whether we wanted a lock on the glass conference room door," she recalls, "so that people could leave their bags in there when they came out for lunch. In the conference room we were quite keen on having blue window blinds which reflect our company colour, but Saracen pointed out that people's eyes would be drawn immediately to the window, so we chose neutral, metallic blinds instead. "Saracen were working to a fixed price contract with a hard deadline because we had scheduled the first training course to take place in the new facility. But when the work was completed, Saracen came over to do a final inspection and saw a blank inset between the ceiling tiles and the edge of the ceiling line. We hadn't spotted it, and in truth, nor would we have. Saracen said that the ceiling needed to be refitted, and immediately did the work, obviously at their own expense."
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Back to top |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Newsletter | Case Studies | Complete Office Solutions | Office Interior Design & Space Planning Saracen Office Interiors Ltd |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© Copyright 2005-2008 Saracen Office Interiors Ltd and its licensors - All Rights Reserved |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
