Willmott Dixon Interiors is undertaking the refurbishment of the Sanctuary Buildings, the Department for Education’s headquarters in the heart of Westminster, central London.
Secured through the Southern Construction Framework, the project includes the strip out of the building’s 1990’s interior and its replacement with a modern office space over several floors.
The project is progressing within a live working environment and includes a complete modernisation of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) infrastructure, with new chillers, air handling units (AHUs) and new LV infrastructure
Work on floors 7 and 8 of the building is nearing completion, with the new office space providing a light and airy working environment. It contains glass partitioned offices, a quiet room, as well as modernised kitchen facilities. In addition to new M&E, the office space contains new electrical points for each desk, together with individual monitor stands. Energy-saving LED panel lighting and new acoustic ceiling tiles have also been installed overhead, aiding sound absorption.
The programme of works is having to be carefully managed to ensure that minimal disruption is caused and that switching from the old M&E to the new is as seamless as possible. With work on two floors coming to completion, the strip out of floor 6 is now commencing and floor 4 is scheduled to follow in August 2023.
To support the project’s sustainability objectives, the original windows are being retained across the building and all the original ceiling and carpet tiles are being recycled. With modern low energy lighting and new M&E capabilities, the building will benefit from a reduced carbon footprint and significant energy savings. Due to the number of floors that are being refurbished, the project will continue into 2024.