Refurb & Retrofit

OLD MEETS NEW

Refurbishing historic buildings requires specialist mechanical and electrical (M&E) services. Toby Buckley, Managing Director of REL Building Services, discusses the challenges and how to achieve the most effective solution.

Installing modern services into an historic building, especially one that is listed, is challenging both in terms of design and installation. Each project will present its own set of hurdles depending on the type of building and its future use, so there is a wide range of factors to consider.

Stakeholder engagement

Heritage schemes involve a number of different stakeholders who all have a vested interest in any redevelopment, including the local authority, public bodies, such as Historic England, as well as the local community. It is vital that M&E contractors engage with the relevant parties at the earliest opportunity to understand their requirements. The building services solution must be designed in line with their criteria and full approval gained before work begins.

This approach was fundamental to the success of an M&E project we delivered for Willmott Dixon involving the restoration and extension of a Grade II Listed town hall in St Albans. Located in a conservation area, the historic building was constructed in 1831 and has been transformed into a new museum and art gallery spread over three floors.

Designed by architect practice John McAslan + Partners, the refurbishment had to retain and enhance the building’s historic and listed features while significantly improving energy efficiency and reducing the need for future maintenance.

Our role evolved from consultant to designer as we could offer the specialist skills and experience required to deliver the brief. This saw us work with various stakeholders, including the local authority, Historic England and architectural, planning and heritage consultants to develop the design over an eight-month period. Each space was individually modelled, and all elements approved including the lighting schemes, heating layout and ventilation.

This early engagement ensured the solution met all requirements and could be delivered within the required budget. We continued to work with Historic England throughout the project to ensure its requirements were met during installation.

Concealing services

In St Albans, no penetrations were permitted on the ground floor or throughout the building. This presented a particular challenge when installing services into the subterranean basement, which was handexcavated under the building, so it could be converted into a gallery space with toilets. This area was also the location for the new plant room.

To overcome this issue, we used the existing chimney stacks to install the ductwork and created new riser positions with buried ventilation ducts within the basement area. The nature of heritage projects means they often present unique challenges requiring bespoke and creative solutions to meet different stakeholders’ requirements. For example, we were appointed to help refurbish a Grade II Listed building for a secondary school. The brief included the installation of electrical services around a sweeping staircase, including new fire alarms and a lighting scheme required by the Department for Education. The surrounding walls were listed and featured areas of architectural and historical interest which meant we were not permitted to integrate the cabling into the surface.

With concealment not possible, the wiring had to be installed on the outside of the wall and mechanically protected. We sourced a metal conduit and were then faced with a complex circular installation around the stairwell. The only way this could be achieved was by sourcing a specialist tube roller which grips the metal conduit in three places and features a handwheel which, when turned, creates the bend.

Improving efficiency

Energy efficiency is another important consideration, which in many cases, requires older buildings to be significantly upgraded with new mechanical equipment, including ventilation. To establish the most appropriate measures, careful planning is needed to assess all factors affecting energy use and the property’s future requirements. The solution will not only have to improve performance and deliver cost savings but ensure there is no harm to the building.

A successful outcome

Heritage building refurbishments can be complex, but M&E contractors with the right knowledge, experience and skills will play a key role in overcoming any hurdles. Partnership working, early engagement and tailored solutions are all fundamental to a project’s success and protecting historic assets for future generations.  www.relbuildingservices.co.uk