Modernising a 141-Year-Old Victorian Building for a Growing Business
Fusion recently completed the office refurbishment in Berkshire of a newly purchased 2,500 sq. ft building in Twyford, Berkshire, for Centrum Group. The 141-year-old Victorian property with lovely character, including original sash windows and a classic red-brick exterior, required full interior modernisation to meet the needs of a 2025 office space.
The client operates multiple brands, so their brief called for a full modernisation that respected the fabric of the property, all while supporting a more collaborative working style. What unfolded during the project was a fascinating blend of design, structural investigation, and the quirks that come with adapting a very old building to suit a modern business.
The Client Brief
The main objective was to renovate the entire building, creating a fresh, neutral design with pops of colour to reflect the various brand identities. Feature walls, artwork and inspiring quotes were used selectively to add interest without overwhelming the character of the property.
One key change was to open up the two largest adjoining rooms on the ground floor. The client envisioned a single open-plan area to support teamwork and collaboration.
Structural Surprises in a Victorian Building
To achieve the open plan space envisaged by the client, a structural wall was to be removed. Our experienced team were confident in executing the wall removal, following our structural engineer’s calculations, however the complications began to emerge when we began the foundation works in line with his instructions.
As is often the case with Victorian properties, opening up the building revealed some hidden history. Investigations uncovered multiple extensions from different eras, unexpected and unstable ground conditions, and even a mysterious diagonal cavity extending towards a nearby river. At this point, geotechnical specialists were instructed to assess the stability of the ground underfoot, and the composition of the land beneath the property.
This level of analysis, although time-consuming, was essential for this office refurbishment. When you’re working with a building of this age, the last thing anyone wants is to compromise the structure through over-ambitious alterations.
Finding the Right Solution
Once the surveys and geotechnical reports were complete, the best path forward was clear. Instead of removing the entire structural wall, Centrum Group, advised by Fusion, chose a safer and more practical solution: a 1.2m wide walkway, without a door, paired with an internal window. This created the semi open-plan effect they wanted, improved sightlines and communication between teams, and avoided potential issues to the structure of the building.
Although this change of direction added some time to the programme, the client could partially occupy the building early, particularly the upper floor, which had been completed ahead of schedule. This office refurbishment in Berkshire shows the twists that can happen in projects. Through good communication Fusion kept everyone informed of the hurdles. We engaged the geotechnical engineer and took the right actions to alter the scope of the structural alterations that has resulted in a happy client and structurally uncompromised building. You always need to remain adaptable as a project manager.
Design and Modern Workplace Upgrades
The interior design followed a calm, neutral palette, with brand-coloured feature walls adding interest and identity. Key upgrades included:
- New kitchen and WC facilities
- Specialist AV setup in three key meeting spaces
- EV chargers installed in the car park
- A full Paxton-10 entry system, including interior and exterior CCTV for added security
- Graphics and branding to bring personality into otherwise minimal areas
The result is a fully modernised workplace that feels fresh, warm and aligned with how the client operates.
A Project Full of Learning
Every refurbishment can have its surprises, but this Berkshire project offered a set of challenges that were new and completely unforeseen, even for our experienced team. Our client embraced the unexpected journey towards completion, stayed open to alternatives, and ultimately achieved a modern workplace that sits comfortably within the heritage of the area.
Client Testimonial
“We first met Sophie in March this year and soon after meeting her we decided she was the right person to work with on our refurbishment of our new offices. Sophie was very personable which fitted with our own values and was always helpful on offering different suggestions within our budget.
Over the months of the project Sophie was always at the end of the phone to answer questions and she was very quick to get back to us as well. Over the months we built up a great trusted relationship which has made this whole process a really good experience. We are now in our new office, and it feels like home. Thank you to Sophie and her team for bringing our vision to reality.”
The project demonstrates how careful planning, technical expertise and flexibility can transform a historic property into a contemporary workplace. For businesses searching for office refurbishment services in Berkshire, this project highlights the care and detail required to modernise older buildings safely and beautifully.
Contact us today to discuss your project, whether you’re based in Berkshire, London or the home counties, we’d love to help you.
