Edinburgh and Gateway Agile Working & Teaching Space – Sunderland

Overview​

We negotiated a 24-week contract to refurbish and reconfigure three key areas within the University: Gateway Level 1, Edinburgh Level 5, and Edinburgh Level 3. The objective was to deliver modern, agile working environments at Gateway 1 and Edinburgh 5, alongside the creation of a new high-quality teaching facility at Edinburgh 3.

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The project formed part of a wider Agile Working initiative, developed through extensive consultation workshops with Estates, academic faculties, and staff to ensure the spaces reflected operational requirements, departmental identities and future growth strategies.

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Scope of works​

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Gateway Level 1 – Agile Staff Workspace

Gateway Level 1 was redesigned to accommodate multiple professional services departments within a flexible, activity-based working environment. Through selective removal of internal partitions and reconfiguration of glazing and doors, we transformed the existing cellular layout into a cohesive, open and collaborative workspace.

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The final layout provided:

· 174 working spaces

· 106 focused workstations, including traditional desks and multi-use offices

· Confidential acoustic pods and private bookable rooms

· Enclosed and open collaborative zones

· Dedicated quiet, normal working, and active zones

· Breakout and contemplative areas

· Over 250 lockers and integrated storage solutions

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Height-adjustable desks, multi-use offices, resource areas, and shared print/display stations were incorporated to enhance flexibility and functionality.

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Edinburgh Level 3 – Teaching Facility

Edinburgh Level 3 was converted into a new teaching floor designed to reflect the Faculty of Health Science and Wellbeing’s identity. Multiple layout options were developed, culminating in a flexible teaching environment accommodating up to 321 students across large seminar rooms, smaller teaching spaces and breakout areas.

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Works included:

· Removal and reconfiguration of internal partitions

· Creation of large and small teaching rooms

· Upgraded flooring, decoration and door finishes

· Installation of new seminar furniture and stackable seating

· Feature wall branding aligned with faculty identity

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The layout was carefully planned to optimise circulation, ensure compliance with fire strategy requirements (including potential fire lobby adjustments), and provide practical storage, kitchen and WC facilities to support daily operation.

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Edinburgh Level 5 – Agile Staff Workspace

Edinburgh Level 5 was refurbished to create a flexible workspace for approximately 59 staff members, with provision for future growth. Internal partitions were removed to improve spatial flow and enable a more adaptable layout.

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The project delivered 100 working spaces comprising:

· 58 focused workspaces (traditional desks, multi-use offices and individual focus spaces)

· 16 confidential acoustic pods (1- and 2-person)

· Enclosed collaborative areas including meeting rooms and pods

· Open collaboration areas accommodating 26 users

· Breakout and tea point facilities

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Glazed rooms incorporated manifestation and blinds for privacy and solar control, while interior finishes reflected the university’s branding through coordinated flooring, feature walls, acoustic panels and lighting selections.

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Fire Strategy & Life Safety Upgrades

A key element of the project involved working collaboratively with the appointed Fire Consultant and Design Team to develop and implement a compliant and robust fire strategy for the building.

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Due to the extent of internal alterations and the introduction of new layouts across multiple occupied floors, a comprehensive review of compartmentation and escape provisions was required. This included works on both the refurbished floors and other occupied areas to ensure a consistent and compliant fire safety approach throughout the building.

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The works comprised:

· Full upgrade the fire alarm system

· Installation of new fire detection and sounder devices to suit revised layouts

· Extensive fire stopping to service penetrations, particularly along escape routes

· Upgrading and replacement of fire doors to achieve compliant ratings

· Reinstatement and improvement of compartmentation and fire-rated partitions

· Works to all three circulation stair cores to maintain protected escape routes

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These upgrades were carefully phased to maintain safe occupation of the building throughout the programme. Close coordination with the university’s Estates and Health & Safety teams ensured that fire escape routes remained operational at all times and that temporary measures were implemented where required.

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Mechanical & Electrical Upgrades

Significant mechanical and electrical enhancements were delivered across all three areas. These included:

· Upgraded ventilation and heating systems to improve thermal comfort

· Installation of energy-efficient LED lighting

· Electrical rewiring to support revised layouts and increased workstation density

· New and upgraded Wi-Fi infrastructure and structured cabling

· Fire alarm upgrades, improved emergency lighting and enhanced signage

These improvements ensured the refurbished spaces met modern compliance standards while supporting technology-enabled teaching and agile working.

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Asbestos Management

During the course of the works, previously unidentified asbestos-containing materials were discovered.

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We immediately implemented our asbestos management procedures, engaging a licensed specialist contractor to safely remove the materials in accordance with statutory regulations. The works were carefully coordinated and programmed to minimise disruption, with air monitoring and certification completed prior to reoccupation.

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Through proactive management and close liaison with the client team, the asbestos removal was successfully incorporated within the overall 24-week programme without impacting final completion.

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End result

The project was successfully completed within the 24-week programme and within budget, with minimal disruption to university operations. Careful phasing and stakeholder engagement ensured smooth decanting and coordinated handovers.

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The newly refurbished Gateway and Edinburgh spaces now provide dynamic, future-ready environments that support collaboration, focused working and high-quality teaching. The University provided extremely positive feedback, highlighting the improved functionality, cohesive branding and enhanced user experience across all three areas.