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.
Watkins Payne was commissioned to design a Cat A fit-out refurbishment across the existing 11,800sq.ft building. The ground floor was completely redeveloped with a new office entrance lobby and 1,300sq.ft new retail space.
The completed site now comprises four detached industrial warehouse units ranging from 14,000sq ft to 36,000sq ft, all with naturally ventilated and heated offices. The two larger units each have an 8 person MRL passenger lift, while the smaller units have been provided with platform lifts. The warehouse area was designed as a shell for future fit-out with capped off utility services.
The building at 55 Colmore Row has been refurbished to offer 150,000ft² of high quality office accommodation, for which Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, vertical transportation engineering, BREEAM duties and energy consultancy to achieve an BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC B rating.
5 Broadgate is a new 12 story building next to Liverpool Street station in London which offer 700,000ft² of high quality office accommodation. This is the new headquarters for the Union Bank of Switzerland housing office and trading floors. Watkins Payne supplied building services engineering, BREEAM duties and energy consultancy to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC A 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.
