Member Article

OVO Spaces transform Gilders of Sheffield site for city accountants

SHEFFIELD commercial interior design and fit-out specialist OVO Spaces has transformed a former car workshop into a stylish new office suite for city chartered accountants Brown McLeod.

The OVO team have been working over several months on the workshop which formed an integral part of the former Gilders’ VW and Audi garage and showroom site at the junction of Ecclesall Road and Psalter Lane at Banner Cross.

Brown McLeod act for many clients in the property and commercial sector but at the same time the company also has a strong presence in the entertainment industry, representing such major names as music legends Pulp, Richard Hawley, UK rap star Stormzy and internationally acclaimed home grown artist Pete McKee.

The project started with the complete strip out of walls and services, including steel hydraulic ramps and machinery

The OVO team intended to retain the building’s somewhat brutal raw concrete structure and original architectural features in preparation for a new use.

Staff wellbeing was a paramount requirement for the OVO designers so the project retained as much natural light as possible, with windows opening to allow passive fresh air changes and large circulation spaces increasing the feeling of freedom and movement.

“We wanted to maintain some sense of the original features and keep the project as raw and true to its original form as possible adding essential modern technologies to the building as we progressed,” said OVO Creative Design Manager Sophie Kendall.

“We provided comfort cooling/heating with energy efficient air source heat pumps to all areas giving the client complete comfort and control throughout the working day.”

The conversion has seen the creation of office space, two large conference rooms, a spacious open plan client Reception and seven private acoustic glazed offices.

There is also a huge staff breakout space for up to 100 staff which is home to the much prized full size Shuffleboard competition area!

Other facilities feature three large, secure client file rooms, print areas and 35 staff car parking spaces on the roof of the office building, complete with picnic area.

“By combining the history of the building with some striking contemporary touches, we have created something that represents Brown McLeod and its VIP clientele,” said Sophie.

“It’s always a challenge to take a space that was created for a very specific purpose and create something wildly different yet comfortable.”

OVO Spaces MD David Baldwin commented: “This is one of the most anticipated and talked about regeneration development sites in the south west of Sheffield and one that we are delighted to have partnered with developers Primesite UK Ltd and an amazing client, John Roddison and Lucy Suarez of Brown McLeod Chartered Accountants.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Highfield .