BEAR Scotland refurbishment
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Summary
Enhancing performance and energy efficiency
Robertson Construction Tayside is working on a major office refurbishment in partnership with BEAR Scotland, an organisation that manages major roads across Scotland on behalf of the government. The project initially focused on renovating an existing building leased by the client. Subsequently, the client purchased the building, prompting a shift in scope to a full office refurbishment. The expanded works now include four phases across four buildings: the design annex, the operations annex, the main building, and the reliance building.
Key facts
- Full mechanical strip out
- New toilet upgrades
- Switchgear upgrades in main building
- New external entrance steps
- Access ramp at annex doors
- Small power and data changes
- Alterations and additional ventilation
Working on a live site
One of the biggest challenges faced was working on the 40-year-old building while keeping it fully operational. We had to carefully strip out old services without disrupting daily activities. Since we were only working on a small section, both large annexes had to remain fully functional throughout the process.
The sudden change in ownership during the project, provided our client with the opportunity to introduce more modern upgrades. This meant Bear Scotland could carry out additional work and allowed for a full transformation of the building, including painting previously bare walls sheeted with plasterboard giving the space a fresher and more modern look.
Modern upgrades for a more energy efficient asset
The original building relied on outdated electric storage heaters, which were both inefficient and costly to operate. It lacked air conditioning and had minimal insulation, making it unsustainable by modern standards. To improve energy efficiency and the end users’ experience, a new heating and air source heat pump system was installed.
The roof was modified to ensure it complied with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations and to further enhance overall efficiency. Additionally, triple-glazed windows and upgraded external walls were added to boost thermal performance. LED lighting replaced older fittings, and the original doors were swapped for more modern, energy-efficient alternatives.
Procurement route
The project followed a traditional contract approach, utilising bills of quantities and drawings, and was procured through a competitive two-stage tender process.
