Project Overview
Advanced Commercial Interiors completed a full office fit-out and refurbishment for Progress Rail at their site in Sandiacre, Nottingham.
The project covered 680 sq m across two floors and involved the complete transformation of the ground and first floor office areas, following previous flood damage to the building. With the existing space stripped back to bare brick, ACI delivered a comprehensive design and build scheme that brought the workplace back to life and created a modern, practical and durable environment for Progress Rail’s team.
The works included office refurbishment, partitioning, HVAC, electrical and plumbing installations, new finishes, furniture, welfare facilities, external glazing, signage and the creation of a new building entrance. The project was delivered over an 8-month programme with a total project value of £1.8 million.
The Brief
Progress Rail required a complete refurbishment of their existing office and welfare space following significant flood damage to the ground floor.
The brief was to create a functional, future-proof workplace that would support both current operations and future company growth. The finished space needed to include a mix of open-plan office areas, meeting rooms, private offices, breakout spaces and welfare facilities, while remaining practical for a busy industrial working environment.
A key part of the brief was durability. Due to the nature of Progress Rail’s operations, the selected finishes, flooring, furniture and tea point materials all needed to be hard-wearing, long-lasting and suitable for everyday use in a demanding commercial setting.
Progress Rail also wanted the new office environment to help encourage staff back into the workplace by creating a more dynamic, comfortable and engaging space.
The Solution
ACI developed and delivered a full design and build solution across both floors of the building.
The project began with the refurbishment of the flood-damaged areas, including works to raise the ground floor level to match the highest point and reduce the risk of future issues. From there, ACI installed the infrastructure needed to make the building fully operational, including HVAC, electrical and plumbing works throughout.
A combination of solid and glazed partitioning was used to create a varied workplace layout, including offices, meeting rooms and open-plan workspaces. The glazed partitions helped retain natural light while providing separation and privacy where required.
Externally, ACI also carried out building improvement works, including the creation of a new entrance, the replacement of external glazing and the installation of new signage.
The finishes and furniture were carefully specified to align with Progress Rail’s brand while offering the durability required for a long-term workplace solution. Manifestation, colour choices and branded wall graphics were used throughout to create a professional environment that reflected the company’s identity.
Project Floor Plans
Throughout the design stage, ACI worked closely with Progress Rail to develop a layout that was practical, efficient and suitable for their team.
Several layout revisions were completed to ensure the final plan made the best possible use of the available space and allowed for future growth. The design incorporated a balance of open-plan desking, meeting spaces, private offices, breakout areas and welfare facilities.
The floor plans covered both the main office building and the separate warehouse welfare areas, which had also been affected by flood damage. These spaces were redesigned to provide improved facilities for warehouse staff while maintaining the same robust and practical approach used across the wider project.
Brand guidelines, privacy requirements and day-to-day usability were all considered when finalising the layouts, finishes and glazed manifestations.
Project Challenges
One of the main challenges was the condition of the building following previous flood damage. The design and construction approach needed to address the damage while also helping to reduce the risk of similar issues occurring in the future.
The site remained operational throughout the project, which added another layer of complexity. Progress Rail’s production activity had to continue with minimal disruption, so ACI worked closely with the client to coordinate deliveries, site access and construction works around the needs of the business.
Material specification was also a key consideration. The building needed to support a busy industrial workforce, so finishes for areas such as tea points, flooring, washrooms and furniture had to be selected for durability as well as appearance. The final specification needed to support both the existing capacity of the building and future business growth.
The Final Outcome
The completed project delivered a fully refurbished, modern and practical workplace for Progress Rail.
ACI transformed a flood-damaged building into a professional two-floor office environment with open-plan workspace, meeting rooms, private offices, breakout areas, welfare facilities and improved external features. The result is a durable and future-ready workplace that supports Progress Rail’s team while reflecting the company’s brand and operational requirements.
The finished scheme combines robust materials, functional layouts and strong visual branding to create a space that is both practical and engaging. By carefully considering future growth, staff requirements and the demands of an active industrial site, ACI delivered a workplace that will serve Progress Rail for years to come.
Office Fit Out & Refurbishment Solutions from Advanced Commercial Interiors
Transform your workplace with a practical, durable and future-ready office fit out designed around your people, operations and long-term growth.