The Practice was responsible for designing the complete refurbishment of the mechanical, electrical and public health services to all of the guest rooms, together with the penthouse units. The project also included the provision of services to new conference rooms and a fully integrated health suite. As an integral part of the refurbishment the major central plant items comprising transformers, switchgear, chilled water plant, heating plant, cold water storage and hot water generating plant were replaced. The technical challenges were extenisve as the hotel remained in operation throughout the works.
32 Duke Street in the heart of St James’s, the contemporary development known as The Marq comprises mixed use accommodation, with A1 and A3 retail units across ground and basement floors and 35,460ft2 of office space on six upper levels.
The building Africa House along Kingsway near Holborn Station has been refurbished to offer 119,297ft² of high quality office accommodation, for which Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, vertical transportation engineering, BREEAM duties and energy consultancy to achieve an EPC C rating.
Saffron House was refurbished to provide 38,000ft² of high quality office accommodation. Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering which saw the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd floor including the ground floor reception of Saffron House converted into open plan office areas and reception.
BRIT Insurance took 5 floors of the Leadenhall building with views over Tower Bridge and the Thames. The 60,000ft² of high quality office accommodation was fitted out to Category B.
A Grade II Listed Building in the St James’s conservation area, 8 Waterloo Place has been refurbished to offer 22,500ft² of high quality office accommodation and 8,700ft² of restaurant shell unit, for which Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, BREEAM duties and energy consultancy to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC B rating.
Watkins Payne reviewed a number of mechanical and electrical options with the team, focusing on retention of key central plant, overhaul and replacement of plant where required, and LED lighting to reduce energy and improve the office environment.