The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was founded after the First World War to care for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations in 153 different countries. This prestigious organisation ensures that the 1.7 million people who died in two world wars will never be forgotten.

The CWGC needed to refurbish their head offices in Maidenhead, creating open plan office accommodation and new reception and conference room facilities. Saville Jones was appointed to guide the Commission through this process, acting as Employer’s Agent and Contract Administrators, including the provision of design advice, quantity surveying services and mechanical and electrical consultants.

The construction work was phased in order to maintain the offices fully functional throughout the contract. The work also included new services – heating, air conditioning, lighting and intruder and fire alarms. In addition to the building work, careful consideration was given to the logistics of moving staff, filing and IT equipment and the installation of new furniture.

The ground floor refurbishment included a new reception area, museum and a visitors facility, allowing visitors to view the museum artifacts as well as researching their ancestors’ grave and burial details.

Work commenced on site in October 2012, with the first phase being completed in December 2012. The second phase then commenced in January 2013 and was completed in April 2013.

Part of Saville Jones commission was to design a display case for the original of Rudyard Kipling’s poem  ‘If”.

A further phase of refurbishment is now underway having commenced in October 2014 and is due to complete in February 2015. Saville Jones being both architects and project managers for this further phase.