A new reception area for a major serviced office development in Soho Square London is a typical fit out project in the commercial sector for Inspace Interiors

With continuing uncertainty in many areas of the property market, now might be the time to hold fire when it comes to pursuing a business expansion strategy targeting this sector. However, underlining the confidence of parent company Willmott Dixon, quite the opposite is happening at fit out and refurbishment specialists Inspace Interiors.

The company has recently taken another significant step in its plans to become one of the leading companies serving the interiors market. Under plans unveiled in the summer of 2002, Inspace Interiors has recruited more staff to its internal fit out and refurbishment contracting service, and launched further new services.

The confidence expressed in the expansion of the business follows the completion of a range of blue chip projects across business sectors including financial services, commercial, office, hotel, retail, and the public sector. Recent major projects have included interior refurbishments at the Palace of Westminster, Fortnum and Mason, the Hilton Hotel Park Lane, and interior fit outs for Nortel Networks, 3COM, Marathon Oil and Royal and Sun Alliance.

Karim Khan, Managing Director of Inspace Interiors, says: “Even with the backdrop of continuing uncertainty, whether it’s in the private or public sectors, organisations are still investing to ensure they get the best results in the way their buildings are utilised. As a leading interiors specialist we are building our business on providing customers with the services that enable them to maximise the full potential of their buildings.

“The growth in the public sector, in the wake of the UK Government’s significant public sector investment plans, has certainly helped to fuel our recent expansion. However, even with the present uncertainties in the commercial sector we are still seeing a continuation of interior fit-out projects.

The Inspace Interiors project at the Palace of Westminster included the refurbishment and fit-out of the famous St Stephens Tower

“The difference between now and before September 11 is that the ramp-up in the provision of new office space has been somewhat replaced by organisations wishing to reconfigure existing space to maximise its potential. This includes planning for better utilisation of space; improved IT and improved communications infrastructure, including video conferencing; and improved office environments for staff with better décor, lighting and ventilation.”

The increasing growth in the public sector has certainly provided Inspace Interiors with the opportunity to become involved in some very high profile projects. A recent example is the multi-million pound project for the first ever visitors’ centre at the Palace of Westminster. This involved reconfiguration and fit-out to part of Westminster Hall, originally built in 1097, where the Queen Mother laid in state last year. The new centre includes the Jubilee Café, which was originally a stable to welcome members of Parliament and visitors in horse-drawn carriages. It now boasts a heated limestone floor, plasma screens and mirrored walls.

The Palace of Westminster project also included the refurbishment and fit out of the famous St Stephens Tower. During the refurbishment of the tower, an ornate gold leaf ceiling and hand-printed nineteenth century wallpaper were uncovered. The project was for MPs’ offices and included the installation of air conditioning, electrical services, toilets; a timber floor and new glass lift through the existing spiral staircase.

Karim Khan says: “The project at the Palace of Westminster underlines that this is very specialised work indeed. Strict security and noise guidelines must be adhered to, as well as the specialist requirements of the work itself. The new visitors’ centre and accommodation for MPs is sympathetically designed to fit in with the original building, which includes masons’ signatures on the walls from 1,000 years ago.

The new visitors’ centre at the Palace of Westminster, which will be used for exhibitions, is now open to the public and features a modern glass lift, raised floor and toilet facilities. Its high tech plasma screens allow visitors to see the latest debates in the Commons and Lords

“This has been a project steeped in heritage and involved us working around Parliamentary Committees with minimum disruption. We were delighted to have been involved and the results have led to further repeat business between Inspace Interiors and the Government’s department of Parliamentary Works. These include a significant Government project involving interior works for the living quarters of ministerial staff at 22 John Islip Street, London. “We have also been appointed for part of the Government’s ‘Department of Work and Pensions’ roll-out programme to refit and reconfigure Job Centres throughout the country, enabling them to offer an increased range of services to the unemployed. The first phase of the programme, in which Inspace has been allocated 45 separate refit schemes, is valued at approximately £15m. “However, the growth in public sector projects has not diminished Inspace’s traditional markets of commercial fit out and refurbishment. In the IT and telecomms sector, further new contracts have been secured with major global corporation 3Com for a £1m office fit-out contract. This project is the most recent for Inspace Interiors in a series of repeat business contracts with 3Com. We also continue our longterm relationship with Nortel Networks.

“Whether it’s in the private or public sectors, when organisations are facing ever-increasing pressures on the bottom line, the last thing they can afford to ignore is their biggest material asset: their buildings. Progressive organisations are embracing change, reconfiguring their buildings for improved efficiency and utility, and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by new IT and communications technologies to ensure that they stay ahead in their field.”

For further information please contact Sarah Chapman:

Inspace Interiors
Third Floor, 32 Farringdon Street
London, EC4A 4HJ
Tel: 020 7634 9634
Fax: 020 7634 9635

Inspace Interiors
286 Chase Road,
Southgate N14 6JQ
Tel: 020 8886 6060
Fax: 020 8886 3434
E-mail: sarah.chapman@inspaceinteriors.co.uk
Website: www.inspacecomplete.co.uk