McCullough Robertson’s core philosophy centers on client engagement, making it essential that our design was guided by this principle. Our priority was to create a flexible space that allows the team to effortlessly host client events, training sessions, and staff forums. Additionally, the design solution needed to be sustainable for the long term, ensuring the adaptive reuse of furniture, joinery, and built areas wherever possible.
The brief identified a need to propel the firm into the next decade, centering on flexibility, sustainability and a seamless integration of technology. The central focus was to be on delivering a feeling of warmth and hospitality for the front of house and overall client experience.
Our first step was to develop comprehensive staging plans that mapped out each phase of the renovation meticulously. This strategic approach allowed us to schedule work in a manner that significantly reduced the impact on McCullough Robertson’s day-to-day activities, enabling staff relocation with minimal inconvenience.
At the core of our approach was a robust communication strategy that kept McCullough Robertson informed at every turn. Weekly updates and direct daily briefings from our site foreman ensured that the client was always ahead of upcoming activities, fostering a climate of trust and preparedness.
While juggling the live environment and milestone stages that could not be altered, we encountered an additional unforeseen challenge – an unlevelled floor. The delivery team adjusted the overall approach to ensure our client would achieve their multiple move-in dates.
Early in the works we discovered that the building structure was slanted, which required a lightweight screed solution to level the floor and make ready for timber. This was an unexpected cost and logistical issue, but was resolved through effective problem-solving and client negotiation. Maintaining a live reception area throughout the project was crucial to the client and required careful planning and coordination to ensure continuous operation.
Recognising the potential for significant disruption, we strategically scheduled major construction activities, such as building a new staircase, to take place during the night. This mitigated noise and disturbance during working hours and underscored our flexibility in adapting to the client’s operational needs.
To accommodate the unique needs of McCullough Robertson, we organised specialised scheduling for phases of work that required complete access to certain areas, like floor leveling. Planning these phases during less busy periods, such as school holidays, further minimised the project’s impact on the client’s operations.
Close collaboration with the design team enabled swift decision-making and problem-solving for unforeseen challenges, such as the floor leveling issue. This teamwork ensured that solutions were not only quickly identified but also aligned with the client’s cost considerations and project timelines.
