We had delivered a series of fit-out projects for Russell Jones & Walker (RJW), a leading nationwide firm of solicitors. Following successful work at their Manchester, Sheffield and Cardiff offices, we completed a challenging consolidation of their two London offices into a single new location on Chancery Lane in London. RJW’s first move for 80 years as part of a more cutting edge business approach entailed a radical change of environment from a traditional cellular office layout to a contemporary, open plan one. With learning carried through from the previous projects, we worked collaboratively with the firm’s Head of Facilities, Darren Hackett, to develop a high quality specification that met his vision and aligned with the company’s working practices.

We also provided strong support to help RJW ‘sell’ the shift to open plan working to some 200 staff, including creating a full video mock-up so that people could see what the space would look like. Incorporating refurbishment of the mechanical and electrical air conditioning supply as part of the project, our main challenge was to simultaneously fit-out six floors of empty space over a short timescale, with two floors having their own unique design and dedicated delivery team. As part of this project we undertook a pre occupancy evaluation survey and will be issuing a post occupancy evaluation survey by the end of 2010.

“Partnership was at the heart of our experience with Willmott Dixon, with all of us working as a team trying to achieve the same goal. It was a united front to make Chancery Lane the best it could possibly be.”

Darren Hackett, Head of Facilities, RJW