Project Summary
The Elimax® concept can be used to fit out premises with a system of partitions using personalised cladding with an aluminium frame. It is a multi-purpose solution chosen by the civil investigation firm Flemming’s, welcoming their clients and staff on a daily basis in a pleasant and attractive environment whilst sectioning off offices and meeting rooms to provide the necessary confidentiality for interviews.
Full Case Study
Flemming’s is an independent company which offers a credit investigation and debt recovery service to its clients, mainly banks and insurance firms. The Flemming’s offices are located in Parcay Meslay, a neighbouring municipality of Tours. They are arranged across two floors of an office building, occupying a total surface area of 500m2.
Design Goals
Flemming’s welcomes clients in very different circumstances on a daily basis, either to establish a recovery deadline or as part of a business intelligence investigation, and meetings prior to investigations require a private environment which facilitates discussion. As confidentiality is a core issue for the firm, the solution had to offer high-level acoustic performance to ensure discreet discussions, but also had to include electrical sockets and cable ducts. Unlike the offices and meeting rooms, the employee areas such as the lounge area and the shared spaces had to be arranged to provide a lighter atmosphere to encourage relaxation.
Results
The offices were partitioned using a combination of double glazed cladding and solid decorative sheets in Acrovyn®. To ensure discretion, all double glazing has blinds with adjustable slats. Affixed to plasterboard, the Acrovyn® wall cladding improves soundproofing performance and provides a wall resistant to shocks and impacts. The wooden panel decoration, in a smoked oak finish, provides a warm finish to the space and matches with the very graphic floor shades chosen by the architecture firm.
All Elimax® partitions used for this project were selected in white (RAL9010). In shared spaces, they emphasise the patterned edge-to-edge windows, and on the other side they provide contrast which gives a more striking look to the cube in the middle of the open space. This functional space, designed exclusively with glass partitions, stands out for its blue colouring mixed with natural cladding. Carefully positioned facing the open space’s bay windows, the natural light filters through from above to keep the room bright all day. Its simple lines, central position, use of glass and natural inspiration make this new working zone a fully-fledged design feature.
The firm followed the principles of biophilic design to design the new premises by including natural decorative elements associated with high quality materials to encourage well-being and performance in the workplace.