Grundfos Factory Sunderland

William Kish Architects has worked with Grundfos for two decades carrying out many projects, updates and renovations on the company’s Sunderland site. Projects over the years have included implementing loading docks, amendments to production areas, external yard works, office refurbishments and doubling the size of the factory back in the 1990s .

Below we’ve listed our most recent two projects with the business, both of which were carried out post-pandemic, taking into consideration the need to bring up-to-date and future-proof the site’s facilities.

Grundfos Factory, Sunderland

The Brief – A Post-Pandemic Upgrade 

Project One – Alterations and Refurbishment of the existing Factory Toilets

The Brief

The toilets in Grundfos’ factory extension were built in the 1990s and were in poor condition making them unpleasantly stand-out from the original factory toilets which were refurbished back in 2010.

To ensure the full building retained a high standard of facilities throughout, William Kish Architects was tasked with bringing the factory extension toilets up-to-date, whilst also taking into consideration post-pandemic needs such as reduced touch points and energy-saving factors to aid the factory in its sustainable responsibilities.

The Solution

William Kish Architects managed the full project from concept to completion and first set about creating designs to update the existing cellular toilet provision whilst fully modernising the toilet block.

In addition to this, the designs introduced new re-specified items and accessories to further improve upon hygiene and sustainability practices within the space.

The provision of both male and female toilets was also revised in-line with the future employment strategies and the existing workforce, while new energy saving lighting, heating and ventilation units were installed throughout the block.

To future-proof and take into account post-pandemic life, new hygiene regimes were incorporated throughout the toilets, with hands-free taps, automated hand driers and more open space to allow for staff to safely navigate throughout the area.

Once the designs were agreed, all work was then project managed and quality checked by William Kish Architects with regular site visits to ensure progress and update the client.

The project was completed on time and within budget.

Project overall programme approx. 6 months. April 2021 – September 2021

Project cost £110,000

Project Two – Extension and Refurbishment of the Existing Office Accommodation

The Brief

Following the successful refurbishment of the factory shop floor toilets William Kish Architects was approached to look at options and concepts around extending the main factory office to incorporate both the office team and factory engineers to create a more cohesive working environment.

Although there was an emphasis on enhancing the team spirit and co-working within the main factory office, there was still a clear need for private spaces and break-out areas, where teams and managers could conduct meetings and training.

The Solution

William Kish Architects looked after the design and project management of the full scheme.

The final agreed concept involved constructing a new office masonry structure on part of the shop floor, breaking out of the fire wall to form a spacious open plan ‘T’ shaped office.

This new structure, not only added additional ground floor space to the main office, but also introduced the opportunity to utilise the height available within the main factory area. This allowed a new mezzanine viewing gallery to be incorporated into the scheme, enabling staff to view and monitor the assembly and manufacturing processes from above.

Within the new ground floor area, the designs took into consideration the need for flexible and open working space, re-organising the positions of glazed offices and developing sectional meeting areas to create a larger cohesive office environment.

To further improve upon the work space, William Kish Architects also introduced acoustic improvements for sound separation within the outer walls of the office neighbouring the factory floor, a feature which hadn’t been considered within the office’s previous design.

Other considerations involved a new ventilation system, alterations to the existing air handling equipment, extended LED lighting and additional data and electrical installations.

The final touches involved the same palette of materials, colours and detailing throughout the new office to create a sleek, corporate style.

Because this was an active office space within the building, the work was also project managed carefully to cause as little disruption as possible to the team’s working day while construction was on-going.

Again, the project was completed within time and budget targets.

Project overall programme approx. 8 months. October 2021 – May 2022

Project cost £210,000

Testimonial:

“William Kish Architects has implemented numerous projects for Grundfos Sunderland over many years. He provides a consistently professional and diligent service throughout the project’s life and our recent office extension project is no exception. He understands our corporate image and culture and always leads a strong project team.”

Elliot Watt

ME + Maintenance Manager

Grundfos Manufacturing Ltd.