Project Overview
Sentinel is the UK’s preferred specialist decorating contractor. So, when the chance arose to demonstrate our commercial decorating capabilities at a prestigious new development in the City of London, we were only too happy to oblige.
Skanska was the main contractor on the project to construct a 14-storey mixed-use commercial and retail development at 80 Fenchurch Street, on the eastern side of the historic Square Mile.
This impressive new building, which opened in early 2021, sits between two City landmarks of different eras, with the Gherkin to the north and the Tower of London to the south.
The 240,000 square feet of office space at what has quickly become known as EightyFen are now home to several well-known companies, while the development also features 12,500 square feet of high-end retail space. Visitors can also enjoy a café and restaurant on the ground floor.
Sentinel’s contribution to this £136million project was to provide commercial decorating services to the entire building, right down to the cycle store in the basement.
EightyFen, which was designed by leading architect TP Bennett, was built with its occupant’s wellbeing in mind. The building includes six landscaped rooftop terraces with space to enjoy fresh air and some spectacular views of London’s magnificent skyline.
The exterior of the development features solid Portuguese limestone, and has a series of projecting, flush and recessed windows that step inwards as you go up the building, which maximises the amount of natural light reaching its lower levels.
That aim is also achieved thanks to the central atrium, which spirals all the way up to the roof.
Project Brief
The standard of decoration can make a huge difference to the quality of life of people who spend their time in a busy working environment.
As London’s favourite specialist decorating sub-contractor, Sentinel was fully on board with the need to deliver commercial decoration throughout the new EightyFen.
This building was consciously designed as a workplace of the future, while respecting the history of the city that surrounds it.
Bill Soper, principal director of TP Bennett, said: “The whole approach to EightyFen is to create a timeless yet modern building design juxtaposing traditional stone and contemporary detailing that asserts its dominance while blending into the historic fabric of the city.”
A key part of the 21st-century character of the development is the focus on occupants’ wellbeing. As well as the emphasis on maximising the amount of natural light permeating the building, people who spend their time there are also encouraged to cycle to work. The basement cycle store features no fewer than 331 cycle racks, giving those who use pedal power to reach this destination somewhere safe to store their bikes.
The remit for our team of specialist decorators was to deliver their workmanship throughout the building, and that included the cycle store – which became the most challenging aspect of the entire project for us.
Challenges / Solution
The design of EightyFen included a basement cycle store where occupants could park their bikes during the working day.
Decorating this area proved to be a challenge. Rather than leave the basement looking bare and scruffy, the design called for precise artwork on the walls.
To achieve the desired finish, our team of specialist decorators needed to create a set of stencils specifically for this job. Once those were to hand, we were able to use our extensive experience to create the designs our client wanted.
The Result
We were delighted with the result of our commercial decorating efforts at EightyFen – and so was the client.
In the cycle store, the stencilled wall images of people riding bikes were crisp and precise, as stipulated in the brief. We are always looking to add to our extensive expertise in specialist decorating, and this project honed our skills in this form of decoration. This has helped us in several subsequent pieces of work.
Since EightyFen opened its doors for business in early 2021, a host of companies have moved their teams into the building – in an era when occupant wellbeing in workplaces was severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the year after it opened, EightyFen was shortlisted in the Working category at the New London Awards, which recognise achievements in the capital’s built environment.
The building has also achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating, and a Wired Certified Platinum rating for connectivity from WiredScore. This acknowledges the fact that occupants here benefit from facilities that enhance their wellbeing, and connectivity features that ensure the building meets their digital needs, now and in the future.
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Sentinel Contracting plc
Unit 2a Guildprime Business Centre,
Southend Road Billericay,
Essex CM11 2PZ
