We worked closely with a team of architects on this exciting project. The Passmore Centre at the university was to be a new business and networking hub for them. Acting as a central hub for independent careers advice and a bridge into the university for further education facilities it involved a sympathetic renovation of an old building and the addition of a new modern facility.

The existing building is a Grade II listed former library and the university were keen to retain as much of the original features as possible. We had to work around the existing staircases and the original openings which had been revealed and removal of the years of unsympathetic renovations revealed a beautiful building with a valued past.

The project included the creation of a new study park. Our team were asked to create designs that ensured this building transformed into a new state of the art hub for students and employers embarking on apprenticeships in Southwark.

Through our 3D room layout visuals we were able to create and show the university our designs in a way they could see how the finished project would look . Custom made benches and stools in soft sage and vibrant mustard worked perfectly to complement the existing building alongside the new modern Corten clad extension. Soft seating, stools, desks and collaboration booths created the perfect new areas required for study and training.

Our project also involved the main café area and breakout areas, and our chosen styles included a perfect combination of wood and fabric to provide practical dining and relaxation areas.

Our flexible space design enabled the university to make the best use of the space available, offering furniture installation that could be adapted and moved as their needs change. Our café furniture provided both practical and durable tables and chairs which combined a modern look yet enhanced the buildings older natural features. Our chosen colour scheme had a timeless and classic appeal to ensure that it remained of value for many years.

The addition of stackable meeting chairs, task chairs, desks and tables, provided the university room to expand and adapt the use of space when required, whilst allowing them to store away tidily and safely any extra equipment when not needed.

The new building will now live to see a revived usage, and its functional capacity will ensure that the university and its users now have a modern fully functional extension to their existing facilities. We at The Essex Group not only supply furniture required but pride ourselves on being able to offer a one stop start to finish service!

Our design experts can work with you to create the ideal solution for your space and budget. We then supply the chosen equipment and complete the installation work. The Passmore Centre is a great example of our service, working with both old and new architecture to create an installation that pulls the two together perfectly.