Building the backbone of TripAdvisor’s London HQ
When TripAdvisor prepared to move into their new London headquarters at the Folgate Building, they knew the right location was only part of the story. To support their teams and operations, they needed a high-performance, futureproof network that could support their corporate systems, security, and AV, all while blending seamlessly with a premium interior design.
They turned to Trans Comms to make it happen.
Spanning three floors – levels 2, 3, and 4 – the project involved supplying and installing a complete Cat6a copper and fibre infrastructure to connect every part of the new office. Around 400 outlets were installed, along with multiple racks, patch panels, and fibre trays, creating the backbone for TripAdvisor’s critical systems.
From the outset, the aim wasn’t just to meet technical specifications. The brief was to deliver a high-performance network that would blend seamlessly into a modern, high-end office design.
Balancing performance and design
TripAdvisor’s goal was ambitious: to create a modern high-performance network infrastructure that could handle high data throughput, remain reliable under heavy use, and be flexible enough for future upgrades – all while keeping the aesthetic of a premium workspace.
That meant getting creative. The building’s design called for a very clean, high-end finish which meant all cabling routes had to be planned at high, mid, and low levels to work with the architecture. Angled patch panels were used to improve cable management without compromising performance. Every installation decision took into account not only how it would work, but how it would look.
Achieving this balance required close coordination with Unispace, the general contractor, and with TripAdvisor’s technical leads as well as other trades on the job. Together, the teams refined the design, adjusted approaches on the fly, and found solutions delivering both form and function.
A relationship years in the making
The connection between Trans Comms and TripAdvisor goes back several years, thanks to our Director Robert Brown’s work with their team. When the Folgate Building project began, Robert entrusted Project Manager Ashley Deyzel to oversee delivery.
Ashley worked directly with TripAdvisor’s AV and IT leads – Chris Benham (AV), Eric Hnat (IT), and Alaa Eliraqi (IT Networks) – and describes the experience as one of the most enjoyable of his career. “Their professionalism and collaborative approach made the project run smoothly and efficiently from day one”, he says.
Weekly pre-site Zoom meetings brought together TripAdvisor, Unispace, and the AV and security contractors to ensure every detail was covered before installation began. Once on site, the same spirit of collaboration continued, with regular progress meetings and quick, open communication to keep the programme on track.
A key part of this success was down to Unispace themselves, the general contractor overseeing the fit-out. They facilitated excellent communication and coordination across all trades, which allowed us to focus on delivering the network infrastructure to the highest standard, while integrating seamlessly with the wider build programme.
This project not only continued the legacy relationship between Trans Comms and TripAdvisor but also allowed Ashley to personally build on it, further cementing that trust and partnership for future work together.
Navigating challenges – together
Large-scale installations always present challenges. For this project, the biggest technical hurdle was integrating multiple systems – CorpNet, CCTV, access control, and AV – each with their own cabling requirements, segregation rules, and performance standards.
On top of that, the infrastructure had to remain entirely discreet and in keeping with the clean, high-end finish of the office. Overcoming these challenges required constant coordination with the security and AV teams, and with Unispace’s site managers, to devise routes and containment solutions that worked for everyone.
Then there was a challenge no one could have anticipated. During the project, Unispace’s Senior Technical Services Manager, Ryan Thake – a central figure in the on-site team and a friend to many – passed away unexpectedly. His positivity, upbeat demeanour and helpfulness had been a huge influence on the project. “Coping with that loss was hard”, Ashley recalls, “but it brought everyone together. The collaboration and mutual support during that time was a testament to the strength of the relationships built on this project.”
Ultimately, overcoming these challenges made the finished result even more rewarding – a network infrastructure that works seamlessly, looks exceptional, and stands as a project everyone involved is proud of.
The right tools, the right people
Our approach to this project was deeply rooted in aligning ourselves with industry-leading suppliers and award-winning partners to ensure we could deliver to the highest possible standard. From a technical perspective, the installation combined best-in-class solutions:
Panduit Cat6a structured cabling, Panduit fibre optic infrastructure, angled patch panels, Prism for the racks, and high-spec Cisco switches and routers. The wireless network was upgraded with the latest Cisco access points, custom-finished with black covers to match the design scheme.
While the AV and security systems themselves were delivered by specialist contractors, they were fully dependent on the structured cabling infrastructure we installed. This required careful integration, as our Cat6a and fibre backbone served as the foundation for their high‑tech systems, including access control, CCTV, and advanced AV solutions.
The key to making this work was close coordination and teamwork. We worked hand‑in‑hand with the AV and security contractors, ensuring they had the best possible infrastructure to support their systems. Their meticulous installation standards complemented our own, resulting in a unified finish where performance and aesthetics were perfectly aligned.
Ultimately, this collaboration created a seamless end‑user experience – one where every system, from corporate network to security and AV, operated flawlessly over a single, high‑spec backbone.
But tools alone don’t deliver excellence – people do. Much of the success has been credited to Wayne Poole and his team, who often acted as his proxy on site. “Wayne’s technical knowledge, leadership, and attention to detail set a benchmark for how I want every project to run”, says Ashley. Wayne’s sons, Ryan and George, also played key roles, making the Poole team Ashley’s first choice for any future project of this calibre.
Results that make a difference
The network delivered at Folgate Building is now the critical backbone for all of TripAdvisor’s business IT functions on site. It supports their corporate network, security systems, and AV – all integrated seamlessly into a single, high-performance infrastructure.
Positive feedback came regularly from both TripAdvisor and Unispace during the build. They praised the attention to detail, responsiveness, and willingness to adapt to changes as they arose. Some on-the-fly design innovations, developed to solve specific problems, proved so successful they have since become standard solutions for Trans Comms.
More than just a project
No project is without its challenges, and this one was no exception. We faced numerous obstacles along the way – from design changes and logistical hurdles to regular cosmetic challenges that required careful attention to detail. Despite all of this we stayed focused on the goal: delivering the high-end, futureproof network that a valued client like TripAdvisor deserves.
Success wasn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting deadlines – it was about overcoming those challenges together as a team and delivering a solution that matched TripAdvisor’s exacting standards, both technically and aesthetically.
Seeing the final result and receiving positive feedback from TripAdvisor and Unispace made all the hard work worthwhile. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do, and why we’re proud of what our team accomplished on this project.
For TripAdvisor, the result is a futureproof infrastructure that gives us the confidence to operate at full capacity today, with the flexibility to grow tomorrow. For Trans Comms, it’s another example of delivering not just a technical solution, but a trusted partnership.
The relationship has already led to discussions about future work – possibly even in a sunnier location. “For a UK-based team, that’s a very exciting prospect”, says Ashley.
Reflecting our values
This project sums up what Trans Comms is all about: not just delivering high quality technical excellence and reliable solutions – but building genuine, strong, and lasting relationships with our clients. We see ourselves as contractors but also as part of our clients’ teams, invested in their success from planning through to ongoing support.
When the installation is finished, our work isn’t over. We remain connected, ready to assist whenever we’re needed, ensuring our clients’ infrastructure continues to perform at its best as their business evolves.
If your business is planning a move, expansion, or infrastructure upgrade and needs a partner combining technical skill with a genuine commitment to your success, we’d be happy to talk.
