Collaboration; Coordination; Communication - sounds like marketing waffle doesn’t it?
Until you try delivering a premium fifth-floor fit out in a live building, beside a convention centre, with no crane access, no loading bay, and no accurate as-built drawings.
That’s when the 3 Cs become non-negotiable.
At 1 Le Pole Square in Dublin, a 750m² office fit out brought together a demanding client brief, a live city-centre environment, and a bold architectural vision inspired by Georgian clarity and calm. The outcome is a high-spec, hybrid-ready workplace. The process is what’s worth talking about.
Collaboration : Turning Vision into Buildable Detail
CBRE Ireland Design Collective had a strong concept: clean ceiling lines, uninterrupted views, and elliptical forms echoing the city’s Georgian architecture.
But to preserve the open aesthetic, all M&E services had to be routed above castellated beams with zero compromise on ceiling height. That required collaboration beyond the typical design-and-build process.
“We made the design deliverable. Everything you see was built around limitations you don’t. That’s the mark of true collaboration.”
— Alan Russell, Contracts Manager, Built Interiors
A point cloud survey and full BIM model were commissioned early. While rare for a fit out of this scale, it enabled ductwork, FCUs, containment, and sprinkler lines to be modelled and coordinated down to the millimetre. All before works began on site.
Coordination : Working in a Live Environment
1 Le Pole Square is located beside the Royal Convention Centre. That meant tight noise restrictions, no cranes, and no permanent skips. All plant materials—including AHUs and sprinkler pipework—were carried manually up six floors. Waste was stored in the basement and removed in a single timed lift.
“It was constant coordination. We had to plan around events, keep noise to a minimum, and ensure nothing delayed the build. It worked because the whole team bought into that mindset.”
— Barry Keenan, Managing Director, Built Interiors
A rooftop platform was constructed to navigate around existing services, allowing the chillers to be disassembled and rebuilt in place. These solutions were only possible because everyone—from project managers to subcontractors—operated under a shared programme and logistical plan.
Communication : Every Day, Every Team, No Silos
Communication was embedded into the structure of the build:
- Weekly boardroom meetings with all stakeholders
- Daily whiteboard sessions with site teams and building management
- Procore used as a central platform for RFIs, drawings, and snagging
- Design boards on easels to keep the client visually engaged
“There was no room for crossed wires. Everyone was accountable. Everyone was informed.”
— Alan Russell
CBRE’s design and project managers stayed closely aligned with Built’s contracts, site and delivery leads. That communication extended to the building managers and neighbours, helping minimise disruption and keep the programme moving.
