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London & Argyll securities makes a cool profit from ice works project

In its latest high-spec commercial office development, The Iceworks in Camden, London & Argyll Securities has maximised its return on investment by taking a fresh approach to air-conditioning with AET’s Flexible Space Concept, featuring Hiross underfloor air-conditioning. Using this developer and occupier-friendly air-conditioning system, London & Argyll Securities has successfully reduced ceiling void heights within The Iceworks to such an extent that an additional floor has been added into the building, creating a premium indoor environment and a much more commercially attractive scheme.

The Iceworks is constructed, and so named, because it is built on the site of one of the first ice wells in Victorian England, a well which is preserved within the scheme. Originally conceived and granted planning permission as a proposed four storey commercial development, the designer achieved a height saving that allowed five floors to be constructed in place of four. The key factor in generating this extra office space, whilst still achieving minimal impact on the available floor to ceiling heights, was the choice of AET’s Flexible Space Concept, featuring Hiross underfloor air-conditioning, rather than a conventional ceiling mounted air-conditioning solution.

By using the plenum under the building’s 300mm raised access floor as a “duct” for the air-conditioning, The Hiross Flexible Space System eliminates the need for a conventional and intrusive suspended ceiling. This solution brings a net height saving per floor of approximately 450mm when compared to ordinary, ceiling mounted, air conditioning installations. This height-saving capability is a fundamental advantage for investors, developers and agents seeking to maximise net lettable space, whilst still achieving a building with the high quality air-conditioned comfort and the flexibility expected by potential property buyers and tenants.

“The Iceworks’ interior has a discipline which is flexible, functional and aesthetic, and the Flexible Space System from AET was able to deliver on all these fronts” explains Matthew Laurence, Director, London and Argyll Securities. “Its minimal aesthetics suited our target market occupier perfectly, with no requirement for a conventional suspended ceiling we achieved both a cost saving and a better finish. The system’s inherent flexibility will also deliver significant cost and operational benefits over the life-time of this multi-tenanted building. Above everything, the Flexible Space System has enabled us to fit in another floor despite tight planning restrictions, substantially increasing the building’s value on the commercial market!”

Total flexibility in the operation of the Flexible Space System is assured. Each floor of the Iceworks is divided into a number of air-conditioning zones depending on the potential use and occupancy density of the area, with each zone supplied with chilled or warmed air by a conditioned air module (CAM). The underfloor void is split into supply and return air plena using easily relocatable, airtight baffles. Supply air is drawn up into the occupied space by fan assisted terminal units (FTU450), which are recessed into the floor, plug into an underfloor power source and are connected by data cabling for intelligent control.

These fan tile units feature individual controls to provide variable speed and temperature adjusted for maximum user comfort. Since they are not restricted by duct or pipe connections, they are easily interchangeable with floor panels in a matter of minutes, allowing easy reconfiguration of the system to accommodate changes in office layout with minimum cost and disruption. Air travels back to the CAM via return air grilles located over the return plenum for re-conditioning and is mixed with fresh air at that point to achieve high standards of indoor air quality.

The Iceworks project was completed in December 2005. Architects for the scheme were Peter Davies. Building services engineers were Peter Deer & Associates. The AET Flexible Space System was installed by principle contractor, Lowbeck Ltd, based in Aldershot, Hants.

Email: jeff@wildwoodpr.co.uk