Chelsea I

London

Description

Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation installed to a 3-storey and basement townhouse in Chelsea during a full refurbishment.

Client

Private Client

Appointed By

Element Construction

Design

Studio Jo Cowen

The Brief

Calibre was approached by Element Construction, who had been recently appointed by renowned architectural practice Studio Jo Cowen, to support the full refurbishment of a 3-storey and basement townhouse in Chelsea. A mechanical consultant had developed an initial design for the air conditioning and ventilation, which had then been sent out to tender. However, the consultant’s specification and design drawings were not developed to the required level of detail for a project of this scale and complexity, so a design specialist was essential to ensure seamless integration of mechanical services. With our extensive industry experience and trusted supplier network, Calibre was the natural choice to resolve these challenges.

The SOLUTION

Step 1 – Virtual Meeting

Our designers met with the wider project team to discuss the client’s preferences for aesthetics, control preferences, noise levels, and implications for the external unit, to name a few. It quickly became clear that aesthetics had not been designed in sufficient detail, and the consultant had been unable to align the system with the client’s interior design vision. The initial analysis of the provided specification and drawings also revealed several design flaws, including:

- Incorrect grille sizing

- Passive return air paths where ducting was required

- Poorly planned access for ongoing maintenance

- FCUs positioned in locations where they could not function properly

- Specification based on an equipment manufacturer that didn’t meet our high standards

- Over-specified acoustic treatment for the external unit

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Step 2 – Design Workshop

Having detected these issues, our designers conducted a design workshop at the property alongside the architect, builder and other key stakeholders to carry out a feasibility study for resolving these issues.

Step 3 – Scope of Works

Following the design workshop, it was clear that a full system redesign was necessary to ensure a successful outcome. Using the data provided and referring back to on-site conversations and client preferences, we identified all key requirements and submitted a new design proposal to take this forward, which was approved by the client.

Step 4 – Design Development

By redesigning and respecifying the proposed system, we were able to eliminate all the risks inherent in the original outline design and translate this into a full set of design drawings, construction drawings, internal elevations and schedules of works to allow for a smooth integration of the system once on site.

Step 5 – Project Delivery

Our experienced in-house project management team then took on the delivery of the completed design, and installed it on site in line with the wider programme. The result is an aesthetically pleasing system that meets all the requirements agreed at design stage, and was able to be completed within the original budget.

Key Interventions

- We value-engineered the external acoustic treatment from an over-sized and conspicuous acoustic enclosure to a smaller louvred screen, RAL-coloured to match its surroundings and take up less space while still providing sufficient attenuation

- All equipment was re-specified to a more reputable brand with longer warranties, ensuring long-term reliability and minimising the risk of system failure

- We were able to provide a solution within the same budget that was aesthetically sympathetic to the interior design intent, as well as value-engineering the air terminals by choosing a different grille supplier who could deliver sooner at a better price, avoiding costly programme delays

- We developed a new access strategy for the internal units, eliminating the risk of works in future for routine system maintenance

- We provided a solution to a spatial issue in the dressing room by ordering the fan coil unit to be factory modified to a bespoke specification, allowing it to fit into a constrained space without compromising access or functionality

- Based on property-specific calculations, we designed and installed ductwork in the instances where the consultant had specified a passive return air path, to ensure efficient system operation

- Our design process prevented any variations on site which would have led to cost increases and delays to the wider project delivery programme

Project Completion & Key Takeaways

This project is a strong example of how our design-led approach ensures successful outcomes – on-time, within budget, and aligned with expectations across the board. By bridging the gap between a weak initial specification and practical on-site delivery, we prevented costly complications and ensured a smooth delivery process. The client now benefits from a reliable and future-proofed system under a 7-year warranty, and has appointed Calibre to be in charge of all servicing and call-outs for the system.

Testimonials

Michael Jardine, Associate Architect at Studio Jo Cowen: “When photographing this project, we wanted to capture the delicacy with which the air conditioning has been integrated, as it makes a good case study. Working with Calibre was very positive as no arguments were required to get a good result, where it’s so often a fight: you agree where it’s all going to go, and then you get a call back with fitters on site saying it isn’t going to work.”

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