An energy utilities business based in Woolpit is having its office extended to include a fully-equipped canteen and showers.

BUUK Infrastructure, which currently has staff spread over four separate buildings on the Woolpit Business Park, wanted an extension to their existing main office at Energy House to enable all their staff to work together in one building. Wincer Kievenaar Architects came up with designs for a new open plan office space, break-out areas, meeting rooms, shower facilities and a canteen. Superstructures assisted with the structural design elements and Gill Associates acted as employer’s agent. Barnes Construction have commenced work on the three-storey building which will double the capacity of the existing facility. James Potter, MD of Superstructures explained how the team were able to work around “a number of complex issues” on this project, including mitigating the disturbance to BUUK’s ongoing operations.

“The structural design of the extension incorporates a cantilevered steel frame that over sails the existing office building and supports its own weight; meaning that we minimise the disruption caused to Energy House and time-consuming strengthening works to the existing steel frame and foundations.”

Paul Edwards, Customer Services Director at BUUK, commented “The team have done a brilliant job at keeping disruption to a minimum, enabling us to continue with the day to day running of our business. The new extension is progressing smoothly, and we look forward to providing some new and improved facilities for our staff when completed early next year.”