The refurbishment of our new office (Unit 1F) is well underway with the air conditioning set to be installed this week, the plastering to the walls and ceiling followed by final decorations. The colour scheme is going to be very neutral - crisp white throughout with the exposed steelwork painted in Build Team grey. The installation of two new Velux S06 windows in factory-finished white to the roof elevation really has transformed the amount of natural light entering the office.

We have selected kitchen units from Benchmarx with handleless door fronts in high white gloss (the Holborn range), the sink is by Franke and the boiling tap from Grohe. We have specified a simple granite worktop with cut-out for the undermounted Franke sink. We are also installing a warm white LED strip light under the wall cabinets - these are inexpensive both to buy and run. Throughout the new office, the lighting will be GU10 LEDs - kind to the environment and inexpensive to run. We have been testing several different lamps recently as LEDs can have a habit of being rather "cold" - and we think we have found a good warm white solution. We'll update further on these lamps when they are installed and we are happy with them.

The WC and washhand basin is by Duravit - an excellent German brand for space-saving sanitary ware - and the 400x400 floor tiles laid to the WC / kitchenette are from the Botticino range (manufactured by Casalgrande) supplied by our friends at Tower Ceramics. 

20mm solid oak boards have been specified for the flooring to the 1st floor office area. This has been milled to order in 3.6m long lengths by a new supplier to Build Team. We are looking forward to installing it, and if it performs well, recommending it in future to our clients. 

Phase Two of the refurbishment will see the transformation of the Ground Floor. These works will commence early March after we have taken occupation. We will be laying 600x600 unglazed porcelain tiles, installing new lighting and, subject to an assessment by our structural engineer, also installing bi-fold doors to the main entrance in powder-coated aluminum. The overall concept of the new office is to create a light, bright and vibrant workplace for Build Team, which also contains the ingredient features typically found in one of our Side Returns. This way, clients can come and visit us, meet our team and see various parts of our specification in day-to-day use.