Projects

The old Peak Freans biscuit factory in Bermondsey was acquired by The Workspace Group some years ago and converted into a modern business centre, offering multiple use units for local businesses. As part of an ongoing programme of improvement and investment in their properties, we were awarded the first phase Enabling works contract to prepare the way for a major upgrade of a large section of the site.

The Enabling phase required the complete strip out of three floors and basement of all fixtures, fittings, partitions, floor and wall coverings. The building was formerly a recording and rehearsal studio, so many of the internal partitions were sound proofed with walls constructed of timber studwork and multiple layers of mdf, plasterboard, soundproofing board with voids filled with over twenty tons of fine sand.

Part of the works involved a complex Asbestos removal element, requiring removal of a large fuel tank coated in asbestos, located in a confined space. The walls of the enclosure were also coated in asbestos and an access scaffold had to be installed within the enclosure as it was over six metres high. A specialist scaffold contractor, qualified to work with asbestos had to be employed to work in this environment. One wall had to be finally removed to facilitate removal of the tank. All this was carried out in fully sealed and controlled environment and also monitored by the HSE.

A complete validation survey of all services was carried out and all redundant services and plant were removed. This include the removal of two goods lifts and associated equipment.

The Workspace design theme often retains many features and artifacts from the original building to provide a fascinating combination of old and new. Many original features were protected and retained and sample areas of brickwork and flooring were grit blasted to expose the original finishes. Internal brick and block walls were also removed and new dividing walls were constructed in preparation for the next phase of works