A number of options were considered, including acquiring additional space in the existing building. Kanvas performed a space planning exercise to asses the shorlisted options, which allowed the client to select 200 Aldersgate – a new development in the prime City location. Javelin acquired the 10th floor of this prestigious building, a total of 15,000 sq ft, which had the potential to accommodate increasing numbers of staff as their business expands.

The design scheme took into consideration the Client’s requirement for meeting spaces and created a large meeting suite, with a number of flexible meeting rooms. In addition flexible meeting areas, such as meeting pods, to break up the open plan office environment were installed. The scheme involved a largely open plan working environment with a number of quiet rooms, informal break out areas and staff tea point. The design scheme enhanced Javelin’s branding by integrating corporate colours into the scheme and therefore strengthening their identity.

Javelin placed a strong emphasis on working with a reliable partner, who could deliver the project soundly with minimal disruptions to their day to day activities.

The project commenced on site mid October and ran for 11 weeks. Kanvas has recently completed another project in 200 Aldersgate, fitting out 13th floor for Dexia.

Kanvas Interiors has completed an office fit out project for  Orient Express, the global operator of luxury hotels, river cruises and rail adventures.

For the full case study please click  HERE

The project scope involves a complete strip out of existing fixtures and fittings and subsequent fit out of the premises to form new office space.

To assure the business continuity Kanvas will implement a phased programme, firstly completing 1^st and 2nd floor fit out, while the client occupie lower grown and ground floors  of the building. Once the 1^st phase is complete the client will relocate their operations to newly refurbished space subsequently fitting out the remaining floors.

Working with exacting client, Kanvas is adopting flexible working practises to assure client’s vision is met. Then project is due to be completed end of January.

YOC, Europe’s leading mobile technology and media provider appointed Kanvas Interiors to complete a fit out of their new space at Holden House, Rathbone Place, London. Yoc are currently expanding and can see huge growth potential, therefore acquiring a new increased office facility is a key component in ensuring that increased staff levels have been accommodated. Their lease break provided an ideal time to actively assess relocation opportunities and have since decided to sign a new lease on Grade A, CAT A commercial office space.

The design scheme is contemporary yet classic, combining wooden floors, glass and vintage furniture with modern architectural detailing. Additionally, Kanvas Interiors will create a stylish front of house reception area, visitor waiting area, meeting room suite and back of house open plan workspace. A key design element was the integration of informal meeting spaces with a young, vibrant break out area zone to reflect the core values of the Yoc brand.

Please click HERE to access the full case study.

Taking advantage of our in-house Whole Life Costing team, the Carbon Trust can expect Kanvas to deliver a SKA Gold-rated project, which will be built not only with initial delivery in mind, but also the operational and running costs of the space throughout the client’s occupation. 

Elaine Duke, Senior Designer at Kanvas, states, “this is a great opportunity for Kanvas to put into practice the reseach methodologies and sustainable strategies that I and the rest of the design team have been formulating.”  Giles Darby, Kanvas Account Manager for the Carbon Trust adds, “it is a great platform to showcase our sustainably sensitive approach in all areas of the project from initial design, material selection through to delivery and ongoing occupation.  This is a great statement of intent for us and proves that we are at the forefront of providing sustainable design-led office interiors.”

Kanvas has completed a fit out project for Dexia in their impressive new space in 200 Aldersgate.

To view the case study please click HERE

Kanvas completed the fit out of the 1st Europan Miramax office.

Click HERE to view the full case study.

Kanvas team has delivered a design and build project for the UK’s leading care-village provider, ExtraCare.

Click  HERE  for the full case study.

Kanvas Interiors have completed a fit out project for GSA Capital, Mayfair based Investment Managers.

Please click  HERE  to access the full case study.

Heavily utilising an existing office’s features and internal aspects is challenging, but one which Kanvas’s Giles Darby relishes: “we can really use our technical expertise in the retrofit market to enhance a building’s performance and efficiency.  Budget is always of utmost importance for our clients and for this project we worked with the client’s requirements, whilst minimising strip out and re-installation of mechanical plant in the building – which we had identified as being adequate for Orient Express’s needs.  Taking this forward we have designed a services solution that has enhanced the efficiency and performance of the plant providing not only cost advantages, but also obvious environmental benefits.” 

 Louise Coombs, Kanvas’s Head of Design agrees, “as well as the building’s performance and technical considerations, we have taken Orient Express’s traditional look and feel on to the next stage of its evolution by modifying and complimenting the building’s opulent, luxurious and traditional feel, utilising and adapting materials and features, rather than stripping out and starting from scratch.”  This is just one example of Kanvas’s innovative and sympathetic approach to designing and constructing offices in buildings across the country.

“This is something which a lot of clients underestimate when choosing a new office building,” says Giles Darby of Kanvas, “obviously rent, rates, service charges, incentives and lease terms are all-important, but we need to educate occupiers of the need to carry out full building appraisals to outline the extent and costs of fit-out and refurbishment works required, what condition the building’s plant and services are in and what are the impacts on timings – all of which are crucial when disposing of one building and entering agreement on another.” 

He continues, “clients do not want to compromise on rent-free periods by taking a building which would need an excessive construction period prior to taking occupation.”  In addition to this, Kanvas can help with Whole Life Costing of the fit-out project and operational running costs of the building over the life of the lease.  Something which we believe will become ever more important as environmental impacts and associated costs are becoming increasinly ever-present as legislatory changes are beginning to take effect.  Giles states, “Ambassador Theatre Group realised the benefits of partnering with a workplace consultant such as Kanvas early, to enable our value to be added even before a building was chosen.”  Ambassador Theatre Group has appointed Kanvas to design, project manage and build its latest call centre for ticket sales in London.

Working closely with Kanvas Head of Design, Louise Coombs, Dexia has been impressed with the flexibility and speed that Kanvas can respond to changing requirements and liaising with stakeholders from five cities across Europe.  Louise says, “I ensure my team are as forward-thinking as possible, anticipating our clients’ potential requirements before they know themselves.  We try and be prepared for all scenarios and eventualities and I think that it’s this responsiveness and attention to detail that has impressed the Dexia management team so far. 

Giles Darby, Kanvas Account Director for Dexia commented, “it can be challenging working with a diverse client with European-wide stakeholders but our proven Integrated Management System and rigorous procedures have enabled us to keep our team focused, organised and disciplined.  This is crucial for a financial client whose technical requirements are always business critical and of the highest importance.”

Giles Darby of Kanvas commented, “we are very excited to be working with Brick Court Chambers, which is a forward-thinking and innovative Chambers.  They can clearly see the need to satisfy the needs of a disparate group of barristers, as well as other members of staff right across the organisation including IT, administration and clerks.  I am confident that productivity and morale in the Chambers will now go from strength to strength as we have drawn on an in depth knowledge of this area by working with numerous barristers chambers in the past, something which I feel held us in very high regard with this new client.”

Jodi Clarke, Senior Designer at Kanvas comments, “we had to work closely with Extracare’s Development Director and key groups from the organisation to discover how staff currently work, and how far we could push the boundaries for the future.  My team and I wanted to create an environment that was practical, functional, efficient and allowed the organisation to grow in the future.”  Giles Darby, Kanvas Account Director for Extracare says, “the workplace consultancy and detailed design phase for Extracare has gone extremely well, and although ambitious, we are very much looking forward to delivering our promises to Extracare over the coming months.”

Kanvas has created a contemporary and stylish office scheme, combining loft style office with exposed brick and feature AV walls, film displays and bespoke flooring features. Senior Interior Designer Jodi Clarke said: “We are very excited to be working with Miramax. We worked to create a design scheme that represents the client and their industry at the same time connecting it to the building and the area of Londonthey will be based in.”

Dan Gopal (Miramax Europe) said: “This is a very exciting time for Miramax as we continue building our business in Europe and open our office in London. It is important that the space not only provides a great environment for our team, but also represents the quality and legacy of Miramax to our clients. We are delighted to be working with Kanvas, who have understood our objectives from day 1 and have delivered creative and original solutions. It will be a great home for us to sell the incredible library of Miramax films to our partners across Europe.”

The London based office is part of the continued roadmap to developing Miramax’s business in the European market. Office fit out project is due for completion in September 2011.

Kanvas has worked closely with EFG’s Managing Director to discuss their detailed requirements, managing the client’s existing European supply chain and also handling discussions with the UK-based Landlord.  Kanvas’s in depth knowledge of UK Health and Safety law, CDM Regulations and Building Control requirements means that EFG FinancialProducts can concentrate on their day jobs and focus on their business, safe in the knowledge that Kanvas will take full responsibility for the design, Landlord liaison and build whilst fully adhering to all legislation in the UK.

“This project will be delivered within very tight timescales and is an ambitious project taking into account logistical constraints” says Kanvas’s  Pre-Construction Manager, Ian Meaton.  “We are very excited about bringing our cutting edge designs to life and providing a new home for EFG Financial Products in the UK.  We hope this is the beginning of a long lasting relationship between Kanvas and EFG Financial Products”, Giles Darby of Kanvas continued.    John Murphy of EFG added, “we have all been impressed by the Kanvas team’s commitment to this project from our first meeting and by their ability to rapidly commit quality resources to enable us to meet a tight time schedule.” The project will deliver outstanding design, industry-leading construction methods and market-leading competitiveness.  Due for completion in August 2011.

Some great results were achieved during 2010; most notably 91% of waste was diverted form the landfill which is a great progress considering  60% was diverted only 3 years ago. Another great result was due to our “Green Transport Policy”. We were able to significantly cut down vehicle emissions , now averaging at 135CO2/km per vehicle.

For full details on our sustainability targets and results please download the full WD Group Sustainable Development Review

Kanvas Interiors, the commercial interior design and fit out specialist of Willmott Dixon, has added to its design talent with the arrival of Elaine Duke.

As senior interior designer, Elaine will work with companies relocating to new premises or upgrading existing space to turn a ‘wish list’ of needs and ideas into something real, workable and value enhancing.  This means providing the combination of right look, right environment and right price for companies who want their new office environment to contribute to business success.

Elaine has a considerable track record in commercial interiors. Prior to Kanvas, Elaine was at Denton Associates and Morgan Lovell and delivered projects for Skype, Manchester United, Hat Trick Productions and Generation IM, the investment company founded by Al Gore.

Elaine is also an accredited BREEAM assessor and accredited professional in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), and will use this expertise to ensure designs meet performance needs in areas like energy, water efficiency, CO2 reduction and improved indoor environmental quality.

Gerry Graville, Kanvas managing director, said: “Elaine really is one of the best in the industry and being a LEED and BREEAM accredited assessor will reinforce our sustainability skill set. Elaine will ensure the ‘green’ agenda is ingrained within the project right from the start. I am very excited to have her in our team.”

Elaine added: “The strong reputation and brand of Willmott Dixon, coupled with being a key member of an exciting interiors focused team that is Kanvas, makes this a fantastic opportunity. As someone with sustainability background, I was also impressed by Willmott Dixon’s track record and am looking forward to be a part of some exciting projects.”

Key Highlights:
• Pre-tax profit up 46% to £26.6 million (2009: £17.1m)
• Turnover £989.5m (2009: £998.9m)
• Net 2010 balance sheet of £142.9 million (2009: £137.6m)
• Cash and bank balances a £62.2 million (2009: £59.9 million)
• Forward order book in excess of £1 billion
• Now UK’s second largest privately owned contractor based on turnover
• New structure working well, significant intra-Group project opportunities
• Strength in diversity

Group chief executive Rick Willmott says, “I am delighted to report Willmott Dixon’s most significant performance to date in what continues to be a tough market. Operating margins held up well during the year and strong order book gives us good visibility for the year ahead. However, we remain cautious in the short-term and recognise that winning work good quality work, in all of our markets, will remain challenging.”

“We aim to differentiate ourselves with market leading expertise, service and products that our competitors will find difficult to match. This includes the launch of our Sunesis standardised design concept, in joint venture with Scape, to cut the cost of capital projects by up to 30 per cent. Now available for education projects, Sunesis will be migrated to others sectors such as leisure to offer an exciting solution to our clients’ need for fresh ideas to deliver exceptional projects for less.

“We also continue to expand in the regeneration arena illustrated by our project to build Woolwich Central, one of the largest contracts ever let by Tesco. Delivering an 80,000 square foot superstore and 259 apartments will see us combine the three skill sets of major contracting, house building and interior fit-out within our Capital Works division.

“Alongside an exciting array of capital works projects we continue to invest intellectual capital in a variety of development and investment propositions that will generate significant longer term opportunities and offer a different ‘blend’ of earnings over the coming years.    

“Additionally, with our support services division prioritised on local authority and housing association maintenance contracts, that offer the geographic concentration for our bespoke delivery model, we aim to create new opportunities as customers outsource non-core services and look for companies like us to transform the way they are delivered.”

Commenting on the immediate future, Mr Willmott said, “Whilst remaining concerned about trading conditions ahead, as a private company we are prepared to engage evolving circumstances head-on and, above all remain determined to continue delivering exceptional performance for our customers.”

“We will continue to invest in our sustainability performance and know-how, which has seen us responsible for some notable UK firsts in the past 12 months on behalf of our clients. The low carbon challenge is migrating up the list of priorities at boardroom level and we are working with many clients to help address their sustainability challenges and opportunities, both in new-build and in retrofit.”

The council plans to occupy all three floors of the building which is in a prime location on the Wales 1 Business Park adjacent to the M4.  The project will commence in late May 2010 and is due to be ready for occupation mid-August.

The first phase of the scheme will include full ‘Cat A’ refurbishment of the second floor of the building and dilapidations and strip out works of the ground and first floors.  The second phase will then involve realising the design and undertaking the ‘Cat B’ works.  Simon Hart, lead project designer for Kanvas says, “the scheme includes multi-use areas accessible to both members of the public and the council, flexible meeting spaces, large open plan office areas utilising the latest hot-desk occupation models, informal meeting points, large break out areas and a facilities hub on the ground floor.  We have really worked hard to ensure that the space really works for them.”  Giles Darby of Kanvas continued, “this is a new and bold step for Monmouthshire, and one which Kanvas is proud to be a part of, helping shape their future in flexible working practices and to assist them in their goal of maximising building efficiency in terms of occupancy and operating costs – this will offer great savings to the tax payer, something which is good news for everyone.”

For further details please call Giles Darby at Kanvas Interiors on +44 20 7634 9634

Dr. Reddy’s, the world’s leading fully integrated pharmaceutical company appointed Kanvas Interiors to fit out their newly acquired facility in Cambridge Science Park.

For full project details please click on the LINK

Located in a prestigious building in the heart of Mayfair, GSA Capital required an effective workplace providing an efficient, comfortable environment that fosters the creativity necessary for intensive research and development whilst avoiding ostentation and maintaining a professional and functional design.

The design scheme achieves this and makes use of many exceedingly high standard products and durable materials deployed to an excellent finish.

Giles Darby of Kanvas Interiors said, “GSA and their professional team appointed Kanvas to deliver this prestigious project after carefully comparing us to the competition through a rigorous tender process.  The client and their team took the decision to partner with Kanvas based on our industry-leading reputation for quality of workmanship, finish and our people-led, non-contractual approach to delivering large projects as part of one team.”

For further details please call Giles Darby at Kanvas Interiors on +44 20 7634 9634

The UK’s third largest privately owned capital works, regeneration and support services company saw annual turnover reach nearly £1 billion in 2009 – an increase of 68% since 2008.

Group chief executive Rick Willmott commented: “The judges said the decision to give Willmott Dixon this award was unanimous. We were the best of the best! It’s recognition for all our team’s hard work and our continuing commitment to innovation, sustainable building and a forward-thinking approach to help our clients meet their ‘more for less’ agenda.”

At the awards, judges said:

“This was a tough category and amid stiff competition it was Willmott Dixon that stood out for all judges. The extent of their commitment to sustainability marked it out from rivals as a truly forward thinking business, with incentive payments modified to include sustainable development targets and almost 90% of site waste diverted from landfill in 2010.

The company has also been quick to use partnering to meet the government’s ‘more for less’ agenda, developing an off-the-shelf range of schools in partnership with architects and local government procurement organisation Scape that can cut the cost of delivering a new building by 30%. The judges were also impressed by Willmott Dixon’s commitment to its workforce. An average of five days training per employee a year led judges to describe the firm as on where ‘people are at the heart of what they do’.”

The Building awards recognise the industry’s top and most innovative performers, while encouraging sustained performance and further development throughout the sector.

“While it’s always nice to receive recognition of our work from our peers, ultimately what matters most is what paying customers think. This is why we place such emphasis on our client satisfaction surveys which resulted in a 90% score. 

Rick continued, “As we are privately-owned, we can take a longer-term view to investing in our people. We want to make this company a business that people are proud to work for. It’s initiatives such as giving staff 15 hours a year to take part in community projects, the day off on their birthday, green company car bonuses, gym membership and access to on-site health and wellbeing clinics, which the judges appreciated.”

Despite popular opinion by those left in the UK, the week-long event is far more than an industry jolly, and actually proves invaluable for meeting large numbers of existing clients, colleagues and associates very efficiently and effectively, as well as meeting new people across the sector.  As Giles Darby of Kanvas explains, “in this challenging environment, now more than ever, forging and maintaining robust, strong relationships is essential in what is a difficult market place. In a world that has become increasingly price-driven, leading organisations need to spread the word on why commercial stability in a fit-out partner is essential, why quality remains crucial to the success of any project and why collaborative working and long-term commercial relationships are invaluable”.

MIPIM gave a bold and clear platform for Kanvas, part of the Willmott Dixon Group, to host events, hold daily breakfast seminars, stage high-level debates and host dinners with key-note speakers from across the property sector and beyond.  Giles continued, “we felt it important for Kanvas to have a strong presence at MIPIM this year to reassure new and existing clients alike that we are confident about the future, passionate about our sustainable delivery approach and also to raise awareness of the Kanvas brand across the industry.”

Kanvas Interiors continue to lead the way in workplace consultancy and turnkey sustainable design and build solutions for commercial clients.  MIPIM provided a great opportunity once more to communicate this message to the wider industry.  Tangible results are already filtering through and feedback received has been outstanding.  Here’s to a successful visit next year!

The Kanvas team has set off to spend four busy days at Mipim – the worlds largest property conference in Cannes, home to some 18,000 industry professionals.

This year we are not just attending, we are actively participating, teaming up with Willmott Dixon to promote our Integrated Service Offer at the London Stand.

We are also hosting breakfast events on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at Miramar Plage in Cannes which will give us an excellent opportunity to build relationships with existing and potential partners.

If you are attending Mipim this year and would like to meet our team we would be delighted to catch up.

To arrange a meeting please contact Giles Darby, T: 0798 0000 228 or Geraint (Red) Davies T: 0785 5049 404.

What is your X-Factor?

I mirror each client’s unique brand and culture in the interior design of their office. This includes taking their working style, people and aspirations and creating an office environment that is a great place to work and leaves the right impression with clients.

What are your new design ideas for clients?

I always challenge concepts and bring new ideas to each assignment. On too many occasions, I find an element of similarity with clients in the same sector and my task is to create something individual to them. I help clients stamp their brand personality and get the most productive use of space through the latest interior thinking. My job is to be ahead of current styles and trends so I am not using ‘old’ or ‘tired’ ideas from two years ago, be it with new ways of working or latest colour schemes.

What do you think clients should be thinking about in 2011 when re-configuring their office space?

The recession and new technology have changed the way companies use their space. Rents are increasing and budgets getting tighter – and this is a huge challenge for the designer.

We need to think of even more efficient ways for them to use their space. For example, the need for a high volume of storage, which takes up valuable floor space, can now be reduced by scanning in documents electronically. This may seem a simple exercise for a client to organise the way they control their documents, but it can make a difference to the final layout and amount of sq ft space required.

Another trend we see is that clients are looking for smaller floor-plates or less sought after space which has a cheaper rent. They then invest substantially in fit-out to compensate. We need to make sure the end result is sufficiently spectacular to make up for a smaller office – in fact we’ve just performed the same feat with a disused floor at our Farringdon office!

Also, desk sizes have reduced along with PC monitors over the last five years and will continue to do so.  The desk may well become a thing of the past – with wi-fi and smaller, lighter, faster laptops resulting in people being able to break away from the confines of a desk altogether. Even simple additions such as Blackberrys allow people to work more freely out the office while remaining in touch and up to date with people, diary and emails.

My role is to take this, challenge pre – conceptions, and give clients an office environment that allows flexibility to support new ways of working while making staff feel valued in their environment.

What else is new for 2011 that we can bring that makes the most of their space etc?

Lets see what 2011 brings…. but bigger companies are becoming more interested in the Workplace Consultancy side of moving office – analysing, with a degree of science behind it, the way their current space is used, and what going forward would work best for them. Finding the most efficient building shell can sometimes be key to a successful project!

Kanvas Interiors has created a light, airy and inviting office space for a very special client; themselves. With a building dating back to 1960s , the ground floor of 32 Farringdon Street was a dark and unwelcoming space, with little natural light and ventilation.

The Kanvas team has  opened up a difficult inflexible space, to create a large ‘conference’ area and elegant meeting rooms as well as a large client interior design library. The team has created an environment that is clean, spacious and efficient.

On arrival all guests and staff enter a large multi-functional front of house area which is equipped with a breakout tea-point which can be used as either an informal meeting area or as a conferencing facility.

Gerry Graville, Kanvas Interiors Managing Director said: “I am very pleased with the outcome of the new space. We looked into a number of options and sustainability was always at the centre of the thought process. The atmosphere in the new office is great and the team is really thriving in their new space. I am positive this will be the start of a new and exciting phase for Kanvas. “

The Sustainable Development Review provides information on Willmott Dixon Interiors sustainability targets and achievements in four main categories: Putting People First, Tackling Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Smarter Use of Natural Resources and Responsible Business.

Gerry Graville, Managing Director  of Willmott Dixon Interiors said: “The Sustainable Development Review is a very important piece of work and I am excited about its launch and its ongoing success. It shows our true commitment to sustainability and what we as a business, and each one of us individually, are doing to achieve our goals.  This document is not the end of the our thinking.  It represents what is the beginning of a continuous journey of our continued sustainable development.”

You can download Willmott Dixon Interiors Sustainable Development Review by clicking on the link.

TV’s Kevin McCloud was just one leading name that spoke at Willmott Dixon’s forum ‘Business not as Usual’, held at the Wallace Collection.

Kevin was joined by David Smith from the Sunday Times and Jonathon Porritt, environmental campaigner and Willmott Dixon non-executive director, in outlining the business and sustainable challenges facing companies in the current tough economic climate. The forum was attended by over 300 people drawn from public and private sector organisations, including developers and funders, who used the event to explore new funding solutions for large mixed use projects.

Gerry Graville, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon Interiors said: “One of the major current challenges facing the built environment in the UK is delivering innovative funding solution solutions through LEPs, alongside good design, low carbon and high efficiency solutions. The event offered a great opportunity to hear from industry experts and colleagues, as well as admire some of the exceptional art at the Wallace Collection”.

“This event was a great success; we had exceptional attendance and all of the event feedback was very positive. I can only look forward to our next event, and am confident that we will attract and even higher level of interest from our clients, partners and industry experts.”