Aspen Way Development

Space for the new stores department.

From plans to reality now. The new storage space we’re getting is about 2800sqft which will give us enough room for the stock we currently hold, excluding a little bit of extra room for future expansion, or a new spa.

It’s worth mentioning the hard work put in by all the people involved with the development over at Aspen way. This industry can somethimes have a reputation for setting unachievable targets but so far we’ve been very impressed by the work rate of everybody to get this project to where it is.

Building and Installation Team

Insulation Preparation

We are currently installing extra insulation throughout the building to decrease the U values (overall thermal conductance from the outside to inside covering all modes of heat transfer) to their minimum possible.

The current insulation going into the partition walls is RockSilk which offers a better thermal resistance and conductivity values over other sustainable alternatives such as sheeps wool and hemp.

Rocksilk Mattress’s manufacture has a low impact on the environment and is classified as Zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and Zero GWP (Global Warming Potential), and combining this with its thermal efficiency values means it is one of the best options available to us.

Here’s an alternative view of the rear office windows, showing the light in the mornings (provided its that sunny). For cloudy days this will be supplemented by Sunpipes, I will include details next week.

Rear Office windows installed showing good light levels for the mornings.

Sunpipes will brighten what has the potential to be a dull space, provide natural light into the office and also reduce lighting costs.

Here’s the photo promised yesterday of the rear office windows being cut out.

So far so good. Three of the four rear windows are now in on the first floor. When the builders were cutting the sections out of the walls they hadn’t anticipated the ensuing downpour. There is still one remaining window to be fitted in the accounts office and I think they are waiting for a break in the weather before cutting the outer skin of the building and saving themselves from another soaking!

Work is currently underway to fit partitions and the electrical installation, data cabling and telephone systems! (I’ll post a picture of the current state of the site when I can recover the card reader that was swiped from my desk!)

The heating ventilating, and air conditioning installations are due to start early next week.

Juan has been busier with his selection of an all new modular reception desk, which we can now reveal with a sneak preview photo!

Juan’s pride and joy. His modular reception desk!

This is usually the flash point in any office… who gets which chair and what colour! Well, hopefully, we’ve resolved this problem before it can get anywhere. Unbeknown to the directors our purchasing manager has got a little carried away and ordered the award winning HermanMiller Ethospace furniture.

Now we just need to find some conference room furniture!

We have chosen Herman Miller furniture because of their committment to sustainability. It is our goal within our environmental management system to provide an accountability of sustainability for all the services we offer and the products we use, right down to the chairs we sit on. We have a cradle to grave approach when it comes to our environmental awareness, be it from the vehicles we drive to the disposal of waste, we strive to reduce the impact on our surroundings.

Success! The floor has been installed in 5 days while all steelwork alterations were made at the same time.

Floor Installed

It’s now full speed ahead with the upper partitions while our interior designers (Ruthell and Juan) select the colour schemes for the offices. This includes panels and wood for the desk units, carpet tiles filing cabinet colours and chair colours!

The builders have started moving the equipment and flooring in. The skeptisism continues over whether they will be able to fit the full floor in 5 days.

The mezzanine floor ready to go?

It’s worth mentioning a bit more about our materials. The mezzanine floor is made from Strebord which is manufactured principally by Norbord, using wood from sustainable forests. It conforms with current formaldehyde emission classes to BS EN 120 - perforator test method.

Meanwhile there are some adjustments to the trusses and a new roof support being installed. This should be perfect for our all new grass roof!

After months of planning and arguing about where to put the 42″ plasma screen work started today on the demolition of the office space that could only have been described as a rabbit warren. This has opened up the front of the building to give a good sized reception and waiting area that is being furnished with some special touches thanks to our chief interior designer and furniture specialist Juan.

The first floor, stairs, internal walls and one external wall all disappeared remarkably quickly and its left us with some good space to put some palm trees.

The next stage is to get the mezzanine floor in! There are rumours that this will only take a week, the skeptics will have to wait and see on that one.

5500 sqft of extra office and stores space!