John Guest Ltd planned to open a new office in Chippenham and contacted Cre8tive Interiors to carry out an office fit out service. They needed the space designed, costed and carried out. The potential office was in good condition; it had new carpets, air conditioning and lighting and therefore was a blank canvas for Cre8tive.
The first task was to survey the existing space and understand the requirements for the new office. There was a short list and the shape of the room meant there were some logical positions for things. We also knew the building very well as we have previously fitted a kitchen for Volutio many years ago. We then stripped it out and fitted out some partitions and offices for Deltenna limited. We then stripped this out for them when they left and carried out the dilapidation work for them also in this same office space. There were some problems in locating the supplies but because we knew the building well we completed this easily.
We also knew there were issues with the hot and cold water tanks in the roof so we advised John Guest. An office fit out can include many things. The scope of work for this project included:
Complete office fit out.
CDM work: we were designated Principle Contractor for the work, so carried out Risk Assessments and Method statements for the work.
Drawing and layout work detailing the specifications.
New kitchen
New office partitioning
Construction of Server room with air conditioning
Construction of two offices and a meeting room.
Moving of electrical power boxes, additional electrics and data cabling.
Completion in 3 weeks.
Existing Office Space
Area for the kitchen
Main open space
Other view of space
Open space
We did not have any pictures of the area before we actually started, the ones above are on the first day on the start of work. As you can see there are some cables and pipes for the air conditioning.
Office fit out Construction Photographs.
Electricians starting
Aligning floor boxes
Air conditioning pipework trays installed
Demountable partitioning bits arrive, all uncut parts!
Work in kitchen starts
Demountable partitioning frames up
Frames for the kitchen entrance
Plasterboard arrives for the demountable partitioning
Kitchen units arrive for the kitchen
Demountable partitioning progressing
Electricians having a chat
Kitchen units into a corner
Expensive kitchen door fitted
Offices nearly complete
Matching back board
Although we have been fitting offices for the last 20 years or so, we get so much enjoyment in seeing the transformation from a blank space through to the final completion. The progression is always interesting, seeing the pile of bits laying neatly on the floor, stacked in order for the demountable partitions to seeing the forming the walls to the end result.
Seeing everyone busy and working together and keeping the space tidy, and having a bit of fun on site as well all makes the time go really quickly.
Final Photographs
View of finished offices
Blinds open
Blinds shut
Kitchen finished
Finished server room and kitchen entrance
We used demountable partitioning on this project. By using demountable office partitioning we created some additional office space for the customer and it also gives the flexibility to the customer to alter the walls with very little cost in the future. There are some other advantages listed below;
Summary on Demountable Partitioning?
Using Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient as they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts. Please click the link for more information on demountable partitioning.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on Demountable Partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on additional offices?
If you are not sure about anything as well as taking about all kinds of partitioning including Demountable we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
The requirement from our client was that they needed a glass partition built to protect staff from draughts, and also to maximise light inside the new office space. The challenge with this project was that the partition line did not fit directly under the mezzanine floor line above, and so we had to stand out the partition from the edge, and fill in lots of gaps. From the outside view from the warehouse, you could not see an issue or problem.
We use Demountable Partitioning rather than stud and plasterboard, as the systems allow window and door frames to be made quickly and easily. The partition system is made from aluminium sections which have to be cut on site, forming frames for the glass, door frames, metal stud work and plasterboard. We have a short video on our YouTube channel that demonstrated this; please click this link. In this particular design for Anthony Best Dynamics the lower panels were solid, and the customer wanted us to maximise the glass area so that the internal office had as much natural light as possible.
Existing Layout
The glass partition position had to be fixed at one end against an outside wall which was not an issue; the other end had to fix to an existing partition which had a window already installed. The line of the new glass partition would have taken the wall directly over the window, and so we moved the wall over to avoid this. However, this meant that we could not fix the top to line up with the mezzanine floor, so we built a small false extension to the mezzanine floor.
First is to assess the actual space
Partiton construction detail
Opening to be blocked in
Partition to fit right on the edge of the mezzanine
Construction
Construction took two days to complete. Once the glass partition frames and plasterboard were fitted the solid panels were decorated with a contract grade wall paper from Dixon Turner. The windows were made on site, and so the glass had to be measured and fitted later. However this meant that the room was fully usable in the meantime so the customer could continue moving furniture into place.
Partition fitted quickly
The customer wanted maximum light through the windows
Tricky detail around the existing mezzanine
Ready for glass fitting
Ventilation unit fitted
View from inside the room
Completed Wall
As previously mentioned in this project post, the system was constructed from a product called Demountable Partitioning with which we have many years experience. The flexibility it offers means that the partitioning can be re-used and not discarded if a change is needed in the future.
Part of the ventilation fans fitted
Glass fitted nearly done
Door furniture to match existing
Finshed.
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Using Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient as they are classed as movable items and so can be treated differently when accounting. Please click the link for more information on demountable partitioning.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable. This spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions can be an initial costly outlay.
Leasing of Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide cost illustrations. Please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on Demountable Partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out when the tenant vacates. The main benefit is that is saves a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be needed with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Glass Partition Walls
Please give us a call on 01380 738844 or complete our website contact form if we can help you with any of your projects, or if you have specific questions about Glass Partition Walls.
We are asked to look at making some office alterations to a new office for HJKnees in Whitehorse Business Park. The customer wanted to fit some new offices on a Mezzanine Floor. At first glance we could see straight away that the work would need extra work to make the project comply with Building Regulations as none of the existing mezzanine floor had any fire protection on it at all.
Mezzanine Floors and Building Regulations.
Our first consideration when considering an office project is Building Regulations, does the existing structure comply?, and whatever we do as far as changing things also has to comply. In each case we consider the Regulations and obtain approval before the work starts, during the work we usually have an inspection carried out before the walls all get closed in, and then a post project inspection.
We can then give the client a proper certificate from a Building Regulations Inspector that certifies the design and our work to confirm that all legal requirements have been met.
Please see our articles on Mezzanine floors and what you need to do with Building Regulations on the News section of this website. Unfortunately the customer has never been aware that their existing floor does not comply, and we do come across this quite a lot, so we are always on the back foot before we even start talking about what they want as the whatever work is done, adequate fire protection, escape routes and distances need to be considered to comply with the law.
The additional problem in this situation is that it is a legal requirement to have a 1 hour fire rated separation between offices and warehouse. The construction of a 1 hour wall is not an issue, often it is the height that is the problem as you have to construct the wall to meet the plasterboard and metal stud work manufactures specifications.
The most expensive parts are the doors and windows, so the plan is always to keep these to a minimum.
Initial site Photographs.
Original upstairs rooms not meeting fire regulations
Another view of old offices
Another view of old offices
Another view of old offices
They stored things next to the offices
They stored things next to the offices
Underneath the mezzanine, hardboard used a potential fire hazard!
Toilets needed doing
None of the mezzanine floor steels protected.
Edge of mezzanine not protected.
As you can see from the above photographs, a general builder has built the offices ontop of a steel mezzanine floor with no fire protection using timber windows and non fire rated materials. The offices look ok but does not comply at all. The whole lot needed to be stripped out and started again. All of the mezzanine floor underneath needed a 1 hour fire rated suspended ceiling, along with column encasement protection (1 hour) and some re-organisation of the access routes with toilets, a small office and warehouse access with some basic security.
Construction Photographs
The other constraint that we had is the whole job had to be completed in 3 weeks as a new machine was due to arrive in the unit. The reason why the toilet block had to be halved, was that the new machine was 26 meters long and so it would not quite fit.
Staircase needed to be scaffolded
Main fire wall plastered ready for decoration
First fix electrics underneath mezzanine
Demolition of existing offices
Timber frame exposed to be removed
Timber frame exposed to be removed
Start of dry lining the walls
Boarding of the main fire wall between the offices and warehouse
Building the frame under the angles steels of the building
Suspended ceiling grid is quite quick to go in.
Construction of the new offices started
Outside walls plaster drying out
Ceiling tile just starting to go in.
Fire rated ceiling going in under mezzanine floor
Underneath of stairs
Windows dry lined around and window boards fitted
Offices starting to take shape
LED panels fitted
More office walls going in
Column encasement system fitted to steel uprights
Offices starting to take shape
Offices starting to take shape
Window boards fitted, insulation for ceiling arrived
Completed column encasement and ceiling tiles fitted.
More fire rated walls downstairs
Mezzanine floor edge protection
You can see the back of the light fitting has a 1 hour smoke hood fitted.
Downstairs work nearly finished
Offices nearly done
Offices nearly done
Offices virtually done
Final Result
We do not have any finished photographs as the customer needed to move in straight away. We kept to the dates that we advised the customer and we did have a couple of snag items to deal with which was not a problem once they were in. The project was inspected by Building Control and a passed certificate was issued to the client, as well as the Health and Safety file. The Health and Safety file included all of the as built drawings, certificates and evidence of emergency lighting and fire detection equipment that acts as a reference binder for the client to use in the future.
We chose demountable partition for the main office upstairs due to the speed of construction and the final finish looking much more modern and professional that a traditional stud and plasterboard wall.
Summary on Demountable Partitioning
Using Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient as they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on Demountable Partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything as well as taking about all kinds of partitioning including Demountable we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
Good question. Before being involved with office interiors I did not know what Demountable Partitioning was either. Once in the industry you forget that for most people, they just want an office built or extended, and do not know that there are many different types and options to consider depending on what you want to achieve from the partition.<
What does Demountable mean?
The clue is in the name, the physical partition system can be taken down and relocated after being re-assembled should you wish to move it. The main benefit of Demountable Partitioning is that they create less damage to the ceilings and floors than a traditional metal or timber stud partition wall that is typically found in everyone’s house. Most timber or stud walls are plastered or tape and jointed, which means that when you remove them they make a mess. A demountable system usually has pre-finished plasterboard which is decorated with a wall covering, so when you dismantle the system the fixers just remove the board cover trims, and remove the finished boards.
You do get some mess still but no-where near as much as you would have with a traditional stud wall.
Why do Landlords like Demountable Partitions.
Some landlords actually insist that any offices being built in the office by a tenant have to be demountable. So anyone renting office space should check the small print. The main reason is that if for whatever reason the landlord has to get the tenant out, or the tenant leaves, there is much less mess and damage needing to put the space back to an original condition ready to let out again, if Demountable Partitions are used.
What are the different types of Demountable Partitioning?
The key difference is the thickness of the wall which reflects the performance and cost. All of the systems can have glazing of different configurations, heights, widths, single or double glazed, or silicon jointed. There are three basic widths, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm. The all glass version which has a very minimal frame, uses very thin ‘u’ channel tracks to support the glass
Summary on Demountable Partitioning?
Using Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient as they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on Demountable Partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything as well as taking about all kinds of partitioning including Demountable we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
The customers’ main requirement was to segregate the large reception area to give some protection for the staff as they suffered from draughts and noise when the visitors went in and out of the entrance doors. They did not want solid walls but glass partitioning.
Other requirements includes in the cost were to partition off the end of the office so that the server could sit in an enclosed room, as well as providing LED lighting throughout the space.
As usual when a project like this is a bit tricky, we tend to do some basic drawings for two reasons. The first is so that we can work out what is needed in order to cost the work, and secondly is to double check with the customer that we have correctly understood what is required. There is a subtle difference between basic drawing work and space planning, we can carry out both as well as carry out 3d visuals. If you would like to know a bit more please click on this link. In this case the customer wanted us to use an existing door which was slightly smaller than the one next to it. The glass partitioning wall also had to join onto an existing wall of glass at an odd angle. This means the head track joint at the top of the partition somehow has to join the existing which was difficult to do.
Planning the work.
The project did not require any interior design work, but did need some drawing work so we could work out what could be done. We do carry out space planning and 3d visuals if required. More information about this is on the following page click this link.
Before photographs.
The existing lighting used in the area was CAT2, which everyone used to put in a few years ago, we thought LED panels would give a less direction light for the staff. You can also see the area with the lockers that need to be blocked off. In order to save costs, we had to use an existing door which was actually a good idea as the wood finish would be pretty close to the the existing one next door, and so it would not look too different. We also used a timber frame, as well as taped and jointed the walls so it blended in with the existing wall. There was a slight height difference as the door that we had to use was slightly shorter than the existing.
The partition to close off the existing area had to fix to an external window upright, and there was a gap between the suspended ceiling edge and the edge of the window. The customer also wanted to maximise the amount of glass used, so we used a glass partitioning system. The most expensive item was the glass door. Each panel of glass is individually measured to take into account the rake of the floor and the ceiling, and of course the door has to swing freely so it does not catch on the floor.
Existing door
Area to have new room
Lights to be changed
The first photo above shows the existing door.
Glass Partitioning construction photographs.
Creating the server room wall actually took longer than to build the frame and new glass door. There was quite a bit of work involved. As well as cutting the wooden frame and fitting the existing door, the solid wall had to be tape and jointed. When tape and jointing two coats are applied and the first coat has to dry overnight, so it can be rubbed down and the second coat put on. Once finished the wall was painted.
Wall being formed with timber frame
Tracks being installed for glass
Wall infill to window
Glass door frames in
Decoration of solid panels
Glass being fitted
Glass Partitioning completed photographs.
We liked this glass partition system as the frame is slimline, and we joined the existing glass wall without a problem. The difficult bits around the window reveal we just fitted plasterboard so this made the glazing very straightforward.
New LED panels
Glass door and frames
Finshed door and room
Fully lockable glass door
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Demountable Partitioning is tax efficient in that this type of partition is seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts. If you would like some more information about demountable partitioning please click this link.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of Demountable Partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on Demountable Partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Glass or Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
Sat 7 based in Chippenham contacted us recently as they wanted us to remove partitioning walls within their 2nd floor office which included large glass windows. They also wanted new demountable partitioning put up within this office space, once this was done we had to match and repair the carpet.
Construction photographs.
There are quite a few different configurations possible with demountable partitioning. The glazing can be single or double glazed. In this particular design double glazed was chosen as you get better sound insulation, and you can have integral blinds inside the glass which can be turned via a control knob to open and close the blinds.
The glass window height and width you can also vary, in this case we have tried to maximise the glass height, and have added a side window of glass for the smaller office as well.
Positions of walls marked out with tape
These desk had to be stripped out
This office had to be demolished
Other walls coming out
Another view
Result of demolished office!
Ceilings also had to be repaired and carpet patched
New corner office
Finished office just waiting for glass
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Demountable partitioning are tax efficient in that they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on demountable partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
John Hodge Solicitors required an office fit out in Weston Super Mare. They had previously occupied a prestigious location in Weston Super Mare and wanted to maintain the location but the property available next door was not big enough to accommodate all of the administration tasks that need to be carried out in a busy office.
The solution was to take on the building next door which was the old Choices video store and is covered in another new item. (click this link), and to take on a modern office which needed fitting out. This post relates to the fitting out of Morston Court.
Office Fit out work
The main building is rented, and so a requirement from landlords is that the partitioning needs to be demountable. The condition of the existing space was pretty good, with cabling and lighting already in place. We did have to re- cable all of the Cat5 data and voice sockets to the comms cabinet position, as well as re-position power sockets in the perimeter trunking so that there appeared in the correct places. All we had to do was to fit some partitioning as well as some storage wall for the main meeting room. We also had to build a small kitchen.
Design and drawing work first for both floors
Construction Photographs.
Radiators to be moved around first
Then a door way to join together the two units
Cabling work starting
More cabling
New comms cabinet
Cracks in the building had to be repaired
First load of materials delivered for the demountable partitioning
Board and other materials
First frames going up
Partitions are demountable so can be moved
Partitions are demountable so can be moved
We also built storage wall (separate post)
Start of new kitchen
More cables
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Waiting for doors ..
Demountable partitioning work in progress
Completed Photographs.
Demountable office partition
Demountable office partition
Demountable office partition
Nice doors
More nice doors
Storage wall built into the partition
Storage wall built into the partition
Storage wall built into the partition
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Demountable partitioning is tax efficient in that they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on demountable partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
This customer contacted us with a demand for a quick turnaround for an office demountable partition. The customer had pretty much decided on the layout he wanted but there was some discussions about sound performance between rooms. We suggested a combination of 75 demountable partitions and 50mm wide demountable partitions. The 50mm wide demountable partitions offer the right balance between cost and performance, we fitted the 75mm wide walls between the meeting room and the office to improve the sound performance in that position.
We recommended that the glass was fitted to door head height for looks, but the customer wanted the glass to go right up to the ceiling to maximize the light in the store room and main meeting room, the customer is always right so we obliged. The demountable partition system is available in a wide variety of colours, the stock colours are white and grey, so for speed we agreed on white frames. The customer also wanted a quick turn around within a week which we were able to do in this case.
Construction Photos.
The main building is rented, and so a requirement from landlords is that the partitioning needs to be demountable. The condition of the existing space was pretty good, with cabling and lighting already in place. We did have to re- cable all of the Cat5 data and voice sockets to the comms cabinet position, as well as re-position power sockets in the perimeter trunking so that there appeared in the correct places. All we had to do was to fit some partitioning as well as some storage wall for the main meeting room. We also had to build a small kitchen.
Construction Photographs.
Outside of the main building
Customer had marked out the areas
Materials arrive
Setting out and constructing demountable frames
Constructing demountable frames
Constructing demountable frames
Constructing demountable frames
Hanging doors
Side screen by kitchen
Two directors offices
Meeting room prior to glass
Main office view
Meeting room with high glazing.
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Demountable partitioning is tax efficient in that they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on demountable partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
IT Focus had just moved into new office space in Bradford Upon Avon and needed some office partitioning carried out for a few areas. Initial consultation was free, and Cre8tive produced some drawings and costs for different areas in the office space. The partition system needed to be demountable.
In looking at the areas in more detail the small room to partition off the server would end up being impractical as the server would likely overheat without air conditioning, further adding to cost. The end requirement was to just focus on building a glass office partition screen to separate the meeting room from the main office as noise was going to be a problem.
The usual debate over price versus performance between a 50mm wide demountable system and a 75mm demountable system as office partitions, presented the normal dilemma. Do you spend the money for a bit better sound performance or just go for price. In the end IT Focus decided on a 75mm wide system but wanted the screen fitted to the underside of the beam running across the office. This presented some construction problems when we came to build it as the floor was not level. The glass had to be cut (raked) at an angle as the door and drooframe have to be plumbed completely square, and everything comes off the doorframe. In the end a couple of the windows had to be made not quite squire to get it all to fit.
Office Partition Construction photos.
Initial open space requiring the office partition screen
Starts off with a pile of uncut lengths of materials
Setting out the doorframes
Frames are set out
Frame construction
Window frames waiting for glass
Frames fitted to the underside of the beam
Demountable Partitioning
Film applied
Office Partition finished views
Office Partition finished views
Office Partition finished views
Office Partition finished views
Why Demountable Partitioning?
Demountable partitioning is tax efficient in that they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitioning as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitioning is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on demountable partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitioning?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
This demountable partitions project in Swindon consisted of two areas. The first partition had to consist of two new glazed screens around a central pillar and to match the colour of a partition system that was already installed. The second part of the project was a take down and reconfiguration of the existing layout, with new rooms and further partitioning which was new.
The beauty of using demountable partitions is in the name, the partitions can be demounted and moved elsewhere without them being completely destroyed like a normal plasterboard and stud work wall. Further information is on our page describing demountable partitions, please click this link if you would like to know a bit more. The partitions are built by skilled fitters and cannot be constructed by anyone, or a general builder as they are a specialist product requiring unique skills. The system we used in this instant was manufactured by Komfort, and was their 50mm komfort kameo 50 system. The first area needed colour samples that were sent to the customer to try and match the RAL colour of the partition system. We also matched the colour of the blinds and skirting. The difficult part of this project was that the central pillar was miles out of plumb which meant special trims had to be made to hide the gaps. You cannot see this on the finished result. The door was also made with a large window and some privacy film which matched what the customer had already in the rooms.
The second phase of the project was a different coloured system on a different floor. The requirements were to take down one wall, and re–use the materials with some new materials to make a larger offer and create a new office with lots of glazing.
The other slight difficulty was carrying all of the materials up two flights of very narrow stairs which is always a problem, but we allowed for this in our costings and our quote.
Initial site photographs.
As you can see from the photographs below, the first area needed partitions that had to fit around a central pillar and join onto an existing office. The colour of the aluminium frames presented a problem as even though one can powder coat the aluminium partition frames to a RAL colour, RAL colours have a tolerance on them so with the old and new frames butted up to each other there was a very high chance that there would be a shade difference. The existing partitions had also been in place for about 10 years, and the colour can fade over time, so the chances of getting an exact match was pretty remote. As always we ensure that we make the customer aware of this and when we received the go ahead for the work, the customer stated that our honesty and clarity of what we were doing as well as the price swayed selection of who they wanted to do the work in our favour. The first two photographs below show the first area, the second area showed the general space, many of the existing walls seen would need to be taken down and re-used in a different configuration. The practically of using demountable partitions cannot be over estimated as although there is an initial high cost with the frames, they can be re-used making them really flexible. The other factor of course is that they look pretty good as well, and you can introduce window frames and door combinations much easier than a conventional plasterboard wall.
Central pillar to fit partitions to.
Base skirting to be matched as well as the colour
Second area partitions to go here.
All these glass walls to come down and be rebuilt elsewhere.
Working out the materials and sizes.
The first area was a bit difficult to do, and in this case the materials had to be specially ordered to the particular RAL colour. Once the colour is run, it is not possible just to get another piece in case it is cut wrong as a whole new production run would have t be made which would be very expensive to do. Getting it right right time was very important. In this case we took lots of measurements and produced a drawing just to be sure. In this situation it was not necessary to carry out any space planning or design. If you would like to know the difference between drawing work, space planning and visuals please click this link. The second area used many parts of the existing office layout, and was more of a taking down and rebuilding exercise, and the colour of the partition frames were a stock colour, so if we needed some more trims or head channel we could get them next day so we were more relaxed with the second area.
Detailed drawing
Construction work.
We decided to deal with the two areas in separate phases using the same gang of fitters, so they could complete one area and then move on downstairs to the second without any delay or disruption. We also saved on the delivery costs by having all the materials delivered in one visit, getting the materials into the building was not easy. The first area was on the second floor, and the second area was on the floor below. The entrance to the offices was via Barclays bank shared lobby, so we used the rear fire escape to get the materials into the building without having to go through the main office which was quite a considerable distance from the main road. Getting rid of the waste material also presented the same problem. Although you may think this is minor detail, it is actually really important to minimise the disruption to the client, so we did collect all of the waste off cuts and rubbish together in one area, and when both areas were finished got it all out the fire escape in one go.
Frames installed waiting for blinds and glass
New door installed to same size as the existing one further in the office.
Two screens can be seen either side of the pillar.
Pillar was not vertical, so we had to cover the gaps
Much of the existing walls had to be taken down.
Rebuilding in new positions
The rebuilding included re-position doors and frames.
Windows frames taking shape
Door and frames being re-hung
Re-positioned door
A better view showing the extent of the take down and rebuild
The earlier photograph above showing the gap between the new screen and pillar is nothing unusual. In order to keep costs down we try and make the glass and frames perfectly square, so if the pillar or wall is out of vertical alignment which they often are, we can make up any out of plumb situations by providing a cover trim to cover any gaps. Optically it is better to keep the frames square, we could actually rake the glass to make it fit, but it would make your eyes funny when you looked at it, you could see something was not quite right. It is surprising how much your eyesight can detect. Raking the glass is also much more expensive. The other reason for making the frames perfectly square is that in one of the elevations we have a door frame next to one of the uprights, all door frames need to be put in perfectly square anyway, as if you make it slightly out of plumb with the ground the door will swing of its own accord due to gravity. When you open and close the door it needs to swing (open and close), without any tendency to close or open, so a neutral situation.
Completed photographs.
View showing final result.
The new door matched the existing one including the graphic.
The old and new join of the two systems shows that the colour was not far off.
The bottom part of the partition join was also good.
The cover strip covered the out of square pillar
Completed enlarged office space.
Why Demountable Partitions?
They look much better than conventional stud and plasterboard partitions. Glass can be introduced greatly improving the way light gets into an office space.
Demountable partitions are tax efficient in that they are seen as movable items and so can be treated differently in writing down allowances in the accounts.
We can also lease Demountable Partitions as they are movable, this spreads the costs of having the work done as Demountable Partitions always cost more than customers think.
Leasing of demountable partitions is very tax efficient and Cre8tive can provide illustrations, please contact us for further information.
Most landlords insist on demountable partitions being used for offices as it is much easier to take them out should the tenant renting the space leave for any reason. The benefit is that is saves making a huge amount of mess and destruction that would be need with a conventional stud and plasterboard constructed wall.
Questions on Demountable Partitions or on how to reconfigure your office space?
If you are not sure about anything we love to talk about projects and sort out problems and issues with space, please give us a call on 01380 738844
