Electrical Contracting News (ECN) ECN-Nov2017 | Page 20

CONTRACT NEWS GAIA HEATS LISTED CHAPEL CONVERSION Housing developer Beechcroft is using Gaia’s low- temperature hot water underfl oor heating (UFH) system to create a warm, comfortable living space inside a former chapel. Forming part of Beechcroft’s Fitzroy Gate development in old Isleworth, West London, the chapel was designed in 1901 by architects Pugin & Pugin in the Gothic Revival style. Beechcroft’s Special Projects team spent months on the careful renovation and conversion of the chapel to create four luxurious new homes which retain nearly all the original features, including stained glass and vaulted ceilings. “Conventional radiators were quickly ruled out as a suitable heating solution due to the unique layout of the interior,” said Beechcroft commercial director Ben Goss. “Some of the ceilings are 12m high – all the heat would have disappeared straight up into the roof-space.” ABERLA SECURES SALFORD PUB TRANSFORMATION The underfl oor heating (UFH) in such instances warms the occupants of the room rather than the airspace by fi ltering up through the fl oor. “We’re very customer-driven and the market wants UFH. It frees up space inside the home, creates a comfortable environment and is very effi cient,” said Ben. SPIE COMPLETES REFURBISHMENT CONTRACT FOR SIDNEY WEBB HOUSE SPIE UK was awarded a £6.4m contract with Unite Students, a provider of student accommodation in the UK, for the refurbishment of Sidney Webb House, a student accommodation building at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). As principal contractor and designer, SPIE has been responsible for design, procurement and site management as well as the removal and fi t-out of the new internal fabrics, furniture and fi xings, and mechanical and electrical services. Due to the time frame of 11 weeks, SPIE developed a complete single source solution for fast track fi t-out that included innovative energy saving and engineering solutions. Using SPIE’s unique approach, the programme’s design, survey and procurement was completed while the team simultaneously prepared the site logistics and terms of engagement. As a result, SPIE carried out an on-site strip out and refurbishment of 454 bedrooms and bathrooms as well as 72 kitchens over the period. As part of the work, SPIE provided fi rst-fi x services – electrical distribution, light fi ttings, pipework, M&E services, 2,400 new LED light fi ttings, four new modularised air source heat pumps at roof level, new hot water pipework distribution, fi re alarms and electrical distribution panels. SPIE also carried out surveys and risk assessments while working in parallel. As a result of SPIE’s new delivery model, Unite is set to receive cost saving benefi ts for the foreseeable future, driven by SPIE’s specialist multi-technical know-how. LUXOMAT ® net M&E contractor Aberla has secured the development of the famous Black Friar pub, at the junction of Trinity Way and Blackfriars Road. The project will see the transformation of the historic Grade II listed building into high specifi cation offi ce accommodation, including a management suite. Appointed to deliver the mechanical and electrical upgrade works, Aberla has installed a new heating system, including boilers, trench heating and ventilation plus a full electrical re- wire consisting of consumer units, security and fi re systems. The pub, which dates back to 1886, has been boarded up for a number of years. The transformation of the pub is the cornerstone to the wider Trinity residential development which will consist of 380 fl ats in two blocks. A scalable system for well-being The first occupancy detector which controls the light intensity and colour based on time and depending on movement 0870 850 5412 [email protected] www.beg-luxomat.com