In this week's interview with 2022 SBID Awards winners of the Contract Fit Out Project of the Year category, Portview, Paul Scullion discusses the sustainable elements of the project and how to ensure a customer journey is considered within design, as well as challenges of designing a basement space.
Portview were appointed to deliver a mixed-use residential development venture between Canary Wharf Group & Qatari Diar, London’s South Bank - a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind, and reinvigorate.
SBID Awards Category: Contract Fit Out Project of the Year
Practice: Portview
Entry: Southbank Place Spa & Fitness Suite
Southbank Place Spa forms part of a unique mixed-use development in Waterloo, London. The ultra-sleek design of the lavish amenities was conceptualized by Goddard Littlefair, with an experiential focus to create a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind and reinvigorate.
Portview's material prowess sees the use of unique and innovative fittings throughout the spa. A light and calming palette of sensitively selected natural materials paired with ambient lighting to create a cocoon-like space within an uber-contemporary spa setting. Residents can enjoy a luxury hotel-standard spa experience within their dynamic city-living environment.
Sustainability was crucial on this 2,000 sqm spa and wherever possible, greener fabrics and finishes were implemented. Sustainable timber that is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council was used throughout the facility, including the reception and spa entry areas. The timber was used for the flooring, timber panels, doors and various other joinery. The saunas' hemlock and spruce bear the ‘Blue Angel’ quality certificate label, for particularly low-emission products made of wood and wood materials. The knotless, robust wood of the Canadian hemlock fir and Aspen are not only beautiful, but are also durable and resin free.
The bespoke and exclusive nature of the details of the spa design is evident in many areas. Despite the challenges and rigours of working in a hot and humid environment, tactile luxury has not been ignored. Panels of marine-grade faux leather have been embroidered and stitched by artisans, with Portview ensuring the detailing of the high-specification design and custom joinery throughout the entire area was converted to reality.
Providing users with a sense of privacy and exclusivity through cleverly zoning spaces was critical in this design, and was rewarding to deliver. One example of this is the use of beautiful custom-made burnished rock crystal screens in the reception area.
The guest journey was hugely important in the design of this project, with the recognition that while some users will want to be energised through a hard-hitting workout, others want to relax. These two elements can therefore be accessed separately without overlap to heighten the experience.
The spacious reception area acts as a hub and a social area for residents to meet one another, therapists or trainers. Two fully equipped gyms are available along with separate studios, which can be heated for a hot yoga workout or cooled for a dynamic spin class. The alternative wet and relax route takes residents through plush changing rooms, the gentlemen having a dedicated sauna area, while ladies can enjoy their own vitality pool, sauna and steam room.
On the pool deck itself, the heat experiences continue with a stunning 25m heated swimming pool, accompanied by a further vitality pool, sauna and steam room along with social relaxation spaces for residents to enjoy. In addition, calm yet luxurious treatment rooms are available where selected therapies including beauty treatments are available.
A challenge of the project was its basement location, which meant there was no natural light. Portview introduced a system of sensory experiences throughout the spa to create warm and radiant ambient light. The design creates an immersive feeling of light and space through carefully concealed architectural lighting that casts warm glows across rich surfaces, while decorative lighting provided beautiful accents through the space. The glowing feature lighting in the pool area was created with each glass drop specifically crafted to allude to the flow of water, contributing to the serene atmosphere.
To achieve the extraordinary, industry leaders need to work in collaboration, which is exactly what Goddard Littlefair and Portview did to deliver Southbank Spa. The award from SBID highlights to the industry that Portview should be the trusted partner of any client or designer who wants to turn their vision into a reality. The team at Portview are genuine, ambitious and hard-working, which I could have told you before winning this award, but it’s extra special to have this recognised by SBID too.
Questions answered by Paul Scullion, Contracts Director, Portview.
When it comes to delivering exceptional interior fit-outs, you need high quality that’s built to last. At Portview, our dedicated team listens to your vision and uses their extensive knowledge to find a way to bring it to life. With over 40 years of experience, our hands-on, straight-talking approach ensures projects are delivered on time and on budget, which is why we are chosen by some of the world’s top brands, including Arsenal FC, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Tottenham Hotspur, Tiffany & Co and Fortnum & Mason. We are creating the extraordinary.
If you missed last week's Interview with the Healthcare & Wellness Design category winner Mane Design, click here to read it.
Shared workspace provider Clockwise has arrived in the capital with expansive new offices in the Wood Green area of North London to provide an alternative location for city workers and businesses.
Measuring 32,000 sq. ft across five floors, the bright, airy offices feature two rooftop terraces with stunning views of Alexandra Palace, and plenty of event spaces, breakout areas and kitchenettes.
Designed to support the differing working methods brought on by the pandemic, Clockwise Wood Green is comprised of 664 desks, with technology to support hybrid teams and a range of spaces to work in, from meeting rooms to lounges.
Working with leading architect Hawkins\Brown and SBID Accredited fit-out specialists Portview, the shared offices took inspiration from the surrounding area and local community by incorporating abstract artwork from neighbourhood artists into the design.
Referencing the green spaces of Alexandra Park, Clockwise Wood Green has adopted a biophilic aesthetic with a statement ‘living wall’ of plants spanning the full height of the central atrium. By breathing oxygen into the surrounding spaces, the ample use of flowers and foliage help to promote a healing, peaceful working environment, which in turn improves memory, cognitive function and productivity.
Portview worked closely with Hawkins/Brown to design an intricate framing system that enabled them to manufacture the large garden trellis offsite, so the living wall could be transported and installed quickly, seamlessly and without complication.
Portview Contracts Director, Sean McEvoy said: “It’s been a really rewarding project to work on, particularly during a time when the role and design of future workspaces is being reimagined across the industry. Hawkins/Brown have already paved the way in this sector by designing a workspace that will appeal to both current and future generations, where wellbeing, sustainability and flexible working take centre stage.
“By collaborating with the client and design team, we were able to come up with innovative fit-out solutions to achieve their project aspirations and realise their vision. This includes establishing closed-loop solutions that reduced waste and benefitted the local community by either restoring, recycling, donating or repurposing old materials that otherwise would have ended up in landfill.
“We’re hugely proud of what we have achieved here and have no doubt people will love working in the space as much as we enjoyed building it.”
To reduce carbon emissions, the redevelopment of the building focused on retaining its original character, whilst adding a new design aesthetic. To do this, Portview stripped the building back to its original steel and concrete core and refurbished the interior with post-modern finishes to reference those who originally inhabited the building.
The new design aesthetic boasts playful geometric shapes and an earthy colour palette of pastel and teal tones to give the offices a fresh and domestic feel, as embodied by a statement reception area which has been finished in bespoke cream and pale terrazzo.
Retaining the existing building and some of the original services helped to reduce carbon emissions throughout the fit-out, while furniture and finishes were sourced from sustainable suppliers to help achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards.
Chief Operating Officer of Clockwise, Alex Brunner said: “What’s really special about this building is the design and the high level of finish. It involved Hawkins/Brown, Portview and ourselves jointly believing in the same vision to create workspaces that really function within our needs as human beings. It’s a home for work. As simple as that.”
About Portview
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. With teams covering the whole of the UK and Ireland, Portview manages projects of all shapes and sizes, including major refurbishment and roll-out contracts. Services include design development, planning approval, technical surveys, project management, contracting and fit-out.
About Clockwise
Clockwise provide well-designed, contemporary private offices, shared workspaces and meeting rooms with brilliantly flexible membership plans. They zero in on the details, so users can zoom out to the big picture. Clockwise make sure everything works, so users can do their best work.
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Building Information Modelling – or BIM – enables you to make your clients’ visions a reality. The model-first process lets you create a virtual prototype of the proposed project, so everyone has complete visibility of a space down to the smallest details. Using BIM collaborative software across the project teams allows information to be shared much more frequently during the design process. This gives all contributors a holistic opportunity to coordinate works packages through an accurate 3D model world and importantly, allows designs teams to catch unforeseen issues before site.
Other industries have been using BIM for years. Architects, engineers and construction firms use the process to better understand every element in a design. Yet, it’s relatively new for the fit-out sector. Portview, however, are working to change this. By taking a model already developed at construction or earlier design stage, and collaboratively developing this through to finishing stages, we are better able to foresee challenges and help the entire fit-out process run smoothly from start to finish. This journey allows clients a more immersive experience to understand different ways they can use their space.
Portview has brought most of their BIM in-house. It allows them to keep everyone involved throughout the design and fit-out process. Meaning, they can answer queries and solve issues quickly and effectively. Using BIM in-house also has the following benefits for them and their clients.
BIM makes it easier to share designs, collaborate and manage version control compared to paper and/or PDF drawing sets. Using Cloud Technology, different teams can work together, from those in the office to those in the workshop and on-site. Everyone can immediately see changes others have made and work together to coordinate planning.
You can also receive live feedback from our clients, allowing you to accommodate amendments quickly. With BIM, the data is transparent. It removes jargon and uses 3D visualisation, which is much easier for everyone to digest, making it much easier to communicate ideas, concerns and develop solutions.
With early clash detection at the model stage, it avoids time and money in sorting it out on site.
Greater collaboration means you can improve accuracy and solve challenges early on, well before you reach the site. This accuracy minimises the chance of overall variations, enabling you to reduce tender risk premiums and lower insurance costs.
BIM acts as a virtual world. It lets clients visualise the space to make their decisions confidently. For the teams, it provides a complete overview of the project so that they can plan everything down to the millimetre. Armed with this data, they can relay accurate estimates, so the prefabrication stage runs smoothly and on budget. BIM also helps the clients plan how they use the space. A complete set of maintenance instructions can be created for their teams to use throughout the building's lifecycle.
With greater emphasis on the collaborative upfront modelling stage, BIM allows you to have more foresight and can schedule tasks while plans evolve. Not only that, but BIM solves the communication stumbling blocks that often cause delays. Everyone has access to the plans and is involved throughout the process, meaning they can deal with issues before reaching the site.
Having a real-time model allows for a level of predictability that just hasn’t been possible before in the dynamic fit-out sector. BIM creates robust, accurate, transparent and digestible information, and it helps you access data from previous design stages to bring their ideas along with yours. When everyone can see the reality of a design, it’s easier to spot elements that can be refined and detect potential issues before they become a problem. It’s also easier to predict costs and timeframes to meet all stakeholders’ targets.
As a relatively new addition to the world of fit-outs, BIM carries a high perceived cost. But many clients wisely see it as an investment. By frontloading the design process and the costs associated with it, clients can reduce their spend in the long run. This is because you can build robust workflows that work with supply chains to avoid duplication, reworks and the need for more materials. You can also adapt designs much earlier in the fit-out when it is easiest and more cost-effective to do so.
Engage early: one of the main benefits of using BIM is solving problems early in the fit-out process. Portview encourages their clients to have a number of discussions with them in the beginning, so they can extract as much information as possible and take ideas from their minds to make them a reality.
Get the right people in the room: BIM enlightens issues to all, so it’s vital that decision-makers are involved. Portview aims to take clients along the design journey to make sure there are no surprises during delivery.
Have open and honest conversations: With BIM, you can see the substance and the style of a fit-out. Often, it’s not until you see the reality that you know what you really want. Portview’s model-first process creates an early opportunity to play around with ideas and reject those that aren’t working to find the solution that suits everyone.
Stay in communication: BIM aids collaboration, but it’s important that you keep everyone talking, too. It’s best not to presume that someone has seen a change and is working on it, and instead use the oversight that BIM provides to form the foundations of your discussions.
BIM modelling is becoming more commonplace, even for smaller fit-out projects. As Portview continues to use BIM and develop their workflows, they realise more of its value creating potential, allowing their teams to make more informed decisions.
This is just the beginning for them with BIM. They’ll continue to embed it in their processes to create a single source of project truth, helping them complete projects more collaboratively, sustainably and effectively.
About
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. They are renowned for delivering exquisite interiors for the world's top brands in the business, retail, stadia and hospitality sectors. Clients include Samsung, Harvey Nichols, Chanel, Tottenham Hotspur, Issey Miyake, Rosewood London, and Wimbledon.
With teams covering the whole of the UK and Ireland, Portview manages projects of all shapes and sizes, including major refurbishment and roll-out contracts. Services include design development, planning approval, technical surveys, project management, contracting and fit-out. A lasting legacy needs a vision. And Portview’s mission is to bring it to life.
Cover Image Credits: Portview ©
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Award-winning and SBID Accredited fit-out specialist Portview, has unveiled its latest creation with the fit-out of an ultra-luxurious health and fitness facility in Southbank Place, London, where residents will be able to enjoy a luxury hotel-standard spa experience within their dynamic city-living environment.
A joint residential development venture between Canary Wharf Group & Qatari Diar, London’s South Bank has been transformed by a unique mixed-use development with the famous Shell Centre Tower at its heart. The super-sleek interior design by SBID Accredited practice, Goddard Littlefair, focuses on creating a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind and reinvigorate.
The use of unique and innovative fittings include a light and calming palette of sensitively selected natural materials that have been paired with ambient lighting to create a cocoon-like space within the contemporary wellness facility. Martin Goddard, Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair said:
“When we started looking at the concept for this amenity we realised that there were very few spa and fitness spaces that addressed a luxury residential development. This gave us many questions that had to be answered. Through extensive research, we recognised that facilities of top luxury hotels had the closest synergy with what we felt residents would want to have access to.”
The 2,000 sqm spa is set across various zones with the guest journey being a key focus of the design layout. To facilitate the needs of users who will want to be energised with a hard-hitting workout, in addition to others who want to relax, the two elements can be accessed separately to heighten the experience.
The spacious reception area acts as a social hub for residents to meet one another, therapists or trainers. One fully equipped gym is available along with two separate studios which can be heated for a hot yoga workout or cooled for a dynamic spin class. The alternative wet and relax route takes residents through plush changing rooms, the gentlemen having a dedicated sauna area while ladies can enjoy their own vitality pool, sauna and steam room.
On the pool deck there is a stunning 25m heated swimming pool, accompanied by a further vitality pool, sauna and steam room, along with social relaxation spaces for residents to enjoy. In addition, calm yet luxurious treatment rooms are available, where selected therapies including beauty treatments can be enjoyed.
A key challenge of the design was the basement location. The design creates an immersive feeling of light and space through carefully concealed architectural lighting that casts warm glows across rich surfaces while decorative lighting provides beautiful accents through the space. The glowing feature lighting in the pool area was crafted by London-based Nulty Bespoke with each glass drop specifically crafted to allude to the flow of water.
Sustainability was a key factor in the design and delivery of the space, with greener fabrics and finishes installed throughout. One such example is that the pool hall area is maintained at a temperature 1C above the pool temperature, which in turn minimises heat and water loss from the considerably large lap pool, while a high-performance water treatment system keeps the water in the pools to an exceptional quality - keeping water and chemical use to a minimum.
The bespoke, exclusive nature of the details of the spa design is evident in many areas. Despite the challenges and rigours of working in a hot and humid environment, tactile luxury has not been ignored. Panels of marine-grade faux leather have been embroidered and stitched by artisans such as Mollie Regan Textiles, with Portview ensuring the detailing of the high-specification design and custom joinery throughout the entire area was converted to reality. Paul Scullion, Contracts Director of Portview, said:
“This project was very demanding in terms of setting out the wall panelling, door frames, stone floors, ceilings and bulkheads to zero tolerance. However, our talented team of in-house architects and designers delivered just that by chasing the millimetres around every corner to ensure we achieved the absolute perfect fit - on time and in budget - It’s hugely rewarding to see it all come together and go together right.”
Providing users with a sense of privacy and exclusivity through cleverly zoning spaces was also key to integrate into the design. One example of this is the use of beautiful custom-made burnished rock crystal screens in the reception area.
Overarchingly timeless and refreshing in its aesthetic appeal, this best-in-class wellness amenity unites form and function to deliver an exceptional spa for this new neighbourhood on London’s Southbank.
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. From humble beginnings as a local contractor helping to restore the Belfast community throughout the Troubles, Portview has evolved into a world leading fit-out specialist, renowned for delivering exquisite interiors for the world's top brands in the business, retail, stadia and hospitality sectors.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
SBID Accredited Designer, Portview strive to positively contribute to the creation of legacy-defining spaces that work for people, businesses, communities, owners, and investors. Sustainability is an extension of this and has been driving real change across the construction industry over the last decade. The next ten years will undoubtedly see this ramp up even further as the industry aims to reduce emissions, future-proof projects and slow the rate of climate change.
To reach the ambitious targets set out by The Paris Agreement and the UK Government's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the way construction and fit-out projects operate is going to have to evolve.
"While governments and clients have a central role to play, construction companies and specialists have the opportunity to lead this process," says ProZero Environmental and Quality Manager, Lisa Trainor. "As interior fit-out specialists, we can integrate sustainability into our approach while ensuring quality, budget control and delivery."
Here are some of the lessons that Lisa and the rest of the Portview team have learnt about making the construction industry more sustainable:
Companies of all shapes and sizes want to create sustainable buildings, but the planning and execution involved can be complicated and time intensive. Reaching a BREEAM excellent or outstanding rating relies on implementing sustainable working practices at every stage of a project. This includes resource efficiency, waste management and using the right building materials and techniques, but it also means effectively engaging all stakeholders. By setting out sustainability goals at the start of the process and maintaining an ongoing dialogue, we can ensure clients, architects, and contractors can consider sustainability at every stage. This includes things that can often get overlooked, such as sourcing low VOC products or using electric rather than diesel-fuelled forklifts onsite.
It feels like the whole world has taken a crash-course in sustainability over the last decade, and we have seen a considerable leap in expertise among our industry and clients just within the last five years. There is still a lot of progress to make, and continuing to build in-house capability is critical.
"Clients and investors are increasingly knowledgeable about BREEAM, LEED or WELL. However, they still need practical knowledge and insights into making these goals a reality," says Lisa. "While expert consultants will always have a role to play, having in-house expertise is increasingly emerging as a key differentiator for clients. They want specialists that can provide value throughout the process, from sourcing materials to issuing commissioning certificates and providing aftercare."
Sustainability is often still seen as a tick-box, regulatory exercise by many in the construction and fit-out world. And while it is undoubtedly the case that the prospect of increasingly heavy financial penalties is a significant motivating factor, we are finding that a growing number of clients are taking a more positive view. Achieving a BREEAM 'outstanding' rating requires additional cost, such as paying to conduct thermographic surveys or making sure that all materials are fully recyclable. But the long-term benefits are likely to be significant in terms of reduced utility costs, future-proofed businesses, increased tenant demand and increased wellbeing for employees and communities. Again, engaging stakeholders early is often critical in elevating sustainability from a regulatory requirement to an exciting opportunity.
The practical challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy touch every part of modern life, from the way we heat our homes to the lacquers and glues we use to finish a fit-out. Sustainable design has become a niche market over the last decade, but it will only become more important and mainstream. Companies in the construction and fit-out space also need to start holding their own operations to the same standards their projects are judged by. For example, we've pledged to use only low-VOC paints and reduce our carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.
"This is not only an essential part of making sure we practise what we preach," says Lisa, "it will also help us to attract and retain talent from younger generations who may not currently see the construction and fit-out sector as a potential career choice."
Choosing the right materials and construction techniques is an integral part of sustainable design and creating local systems that support wellbeing and the environment. On the one hand, this means considering such factors as sun orientation, implementing high-efficiency electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, as well as using more renewable energy. But it's also important to be aware of the broader local environment in which our buildings exist. This includes design choices such as using trees, plants, and grasses native to the area or installing stormwater management strategies.
Buildings also play a role in our social systems. A commercial building's average lifespan is 25-30 years, which presents some challenges for sustainable design. Either these buildings must be made with completely recyclable materials so that they can be cleanly dismantled, or the initial designs need to be flexible enough to accommodate future changes of use. The UK government is encouraging the latter through the introduction of Class E permitted development rights.
There are many other ways that projects can be more sustainable that are unique to their local contexts. For example, we have developed several closed-loop solutions that reduce waste and benefit the local community.
We are part of recycling schemes for Correx, Plasterboard and Armstrong Ceiling tiles. Used materials are collected from our sites and re-manufactured; reducing raw materials, carbon waste and skip space.
We donate waste wood from our projects to a local college's carpentry department within our local community, providing a new use for materials that would otherwise be destined for landfill. We also work with The Turnaround Project, who have created a workshop out of the wood we've donated. We've also recently partnered with Tools for Solidarity – who take our old tools, refurbish them and send them to Tasmania and Malawi.
Developing these solutions not only helps to reduce the impact of every job we complete, but it helps to strengthen community relationships, allowing us to lead the sustainability conversation from the front.
Part of what makes the challenges of sustainability so intimidating is their scale. The narrative around the topic is often focused on the bigger picture, and goals like the UK achieving net zero emissions by 2050 can feel daunting. As with any large project, it can be difficult to know where exactly to start. In reality, seemingly small wins can begin to create the momentum for change when taken together. Organisational leadership has a really important role in educating stakeholders and making sure that construction and fit-out companies lead by example and hold themselves to account. Effective education drives changes in behaviour that help contribute to the larger goal of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
"Although it may seem small, an onsite worker stopping to quickly check whether a paint is low VOC before applying it shows that people are beginning to think differently about the way they work," says Lisa.
The construction and design industry is at the heart of making our towns and cities more sustainable. By taking a proactive approach to driving change rather than reacting to it, we can help clients create amazing, future-proofed spaces with social and environmental benefits that ripple outwards. We can also help them differentiate themselves in a crowded market and make sustainability the norm.
Discover the latest sustainable products for interior design, here.
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