Delivering a complex, high-end office transformation under tight constraints

Agilité was tasked with delivering a complex office transformation for the client – involving significant design coordination and challenging technical requirements – within a tight five-month timeframe. The planning process involved detailed workshops covering MEP, value engineering, joinery and architecture.  

Coordination meetings were held weekly, and the client was directly involved in pivotal stages – including factory visits in France and Italy to review and approve custom joinery and Onyx marble selections. Additionally, Agilité assumed responsibility for addressing landlord-related matters – a task that extended beyond the original scope but was essential for the project’s smooth progress. 

To ensure alignment with the client’s vision, Agilité implemented weekly reports, lookahead planning sessions and daily progress updates during the critical final weeks of the project. To prevent disruptions to other tenants within the building, especially with large deliveries, Agilité strategically scheduled them for weekends, using external hoists to avoid disturbing tenants during office hours. 

Unexpectedly, lead paint was discovered during the strip-out phase, causing a delay for safe removal, which Agilité managed with minimal impact by collaborating with a health and safety consultant and a specialised contractor – reducing the expected month-long delay by two weeks.  

Communication was crucial to the success of this fast-paced project and in addition to liaising directly with suppliers, Agilité also facilitated all communications between the landlord and client – overcoming language barriers and ensuring the project remained on track.  

Notably, when procurement delays occurred with the ceiling material, Agilité found a solution by commissioning custom ceiling tiles and painting them on-site. This response enabled the team to maintain the handover deadline despite receiving the 700 sqm ceiling only five days before the project’s completion – having meticulously planned the installation itself for two months prior, ensuring the week’s work proceeded without delays. 

The delivery of the project went according to plan, and despite various challenges – including logistical challenges, tight deadlines and material delays – the office transformation was completed on time and within budget.  

The sophisticated, high-end office space that meets the client’s technical and aesthetic standards is testament to Agilité’s flexibility and forward-thinking approach towards approaching complexity – particularly when it came to low ceiling heights and intricate HVAC and acoustic requirements.