The Project This project was a partial refurbishment of existing offices to create efficient, contemporary work spaces and common parts. Chapman Architects were responsible for the entire project from feasibility study through to completion in 2009, having performed the role of architects, project managers, contract administrators and interior designers. The Brief This mixed use building incorporates retail and entrances on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. Chapman Architects were appointed to carry out the refurbishment of the existing offices on the upper floors. The brief was to produce a design that would create a clean, open plan space, offering maximum flexibility to an incoming tenant and to transform the common parts of the building into contemporary spaces, in terms of both form and function. The Chapman Architects Approach One of the main challenges of this project was the requirement to enable tenants to carry on their business uninterrupted throughout the period of works. Chapman Architects sequenced the works extremely carefully in order to minimise any disturbance and adopted a policy of no noisy work during office hours. Working on a tight budget, Chapman Architects designed a scheme that focused on efficiency and simplicity, keeping common parts neutral to satisfy the varying needs of the tenants. Existing features were retained wherever possible and incorporated seamlessly with the new. Where new elements were introduced, subtle references to the heritage of Jermyn Street were incorporated in design features such as the walnut reception desk. Not purely an aesthetic refurbishment, the project also included a significant upgrade to the service elements.