County Hall

Project Overview

The works to refurbish the existing County Hall Front of House areas commenced in August 2020 and was carried out in a number of phases over a 30 month period.

Objectives

The project aimed to modernise and extend the Front of House areas, improving accessibility, creating additional office and reception space, and enhancing the overall functionality of County Hall for staff and public use.

Scope of Works

• The first phase 2A included the refurbishment of the existing kitchen, council chambers, restaurant, extension to the reception into the internal courtyard and offices adjacent to internal. The existing reception was to remain occupational during phase 2A works and an additional access route was created from the reception to the toilet provision.
• The second phase 2B included an extension and the refurbishment of the reception and replacement of roof coverings, external works and the creation of a temporary reception.
• The third phase included the refurbishment of Block 1 over three floors and the construction of a new ground floor extension to Block 1. The works included alterations to the external envelope.
• Works were also carried out to the staircases of Blocks 1 and 4 – the works to the staircases had to be completed following the completion of Block 1.
• The fourth phase was the completion of the remaining areas of Block 6 and these works could not be carried out until Block 1 WC provision was available.
• Works to create additional accessible parking facilities connected to a covered glazed walkway were also incorporated into the remodelled car parking which included extensive external works and included barrier access and electric vehicle charging points.
• Solar panels (client direct sub-contractor) were incorporated into the scheme on the roof of Block 1 and Northern Bear assisted by providing access scaffold and an external haki staircase to provide safe access up to the roof for the clients direct sub-contractor.

Challenges

Maintaining access to existing reception and toilet facilities while works were ongoing, coordinating phased construction over multiple blocks, and ensuring safe access for subcontractors installing solar panels on the roof presented logistical and operational challenges throughout the project.

Outcome

The County Hall Front of House refurbishment was successfully delivered over 30 months, providing modernised reception, office, and public areas, improved accessibility, extended facilities, and integrated external works including accessible parking and EV charging infrastructure.