Places for People HQ , London

Energy-efficient Integrated Service Modules (ISMs) featuring both active chilled beams and Micro Prism Optic (MPO) luminaires were installed as part of a significant refurbishment project at Places for People’s headquarters in central London.

The ISMs featured are both truly innovative and visually striking and marks the first major UK project that combines active chilled beams with MPO technology.

The ISMs were specified by Fulcrum consulting and Chris Puttick, Project Engineer, commented “The ISMs helped us to achieve a number of key design considerations; particularly the exposure of the existing concrete soffit by elegantly combining the electrical and mechanical systems such as the cooling, ventilation and lighting.”

“This helped maximise the space and reduce the peak cooling loads.  The energy efficiencies and low maintenance requirements of ISMs will significantly reduce the whole life cost for the system.”

The building utilises the exposed soffit as part of the ventilation strategy by providing night purging through the ISMs, further reducing the cooling load requirements. Cool night air is circulated around the building, cooling the concrete soffit enabling the thermal mass to be exploited.

The ISMs, which feature throughout the three-storey building, have been positioned above desks and meeting room tables to match the architectural aesthetics and achieve correct environmental comfort and illuminance (lux) levels.

MPO technology minimises direct and reflected glare in conformity with both EN12464 and CIBSE LG7. The luminaries are linked to a DALI lighting system and a combination of passive infra-red absence detection and daylight sensors ensure lighting energy consumption is kept to a minimum.

In most refurbishment projects maximising the floor to ceiling height is a common design challenge. Integrating building services within ISMs leaves large areas of the soffit exposed, leading to an increased feeling of space.

SAS International also worked closely with designers Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects on the 1,700 square metre project on Gray’s Inn Road.

The finished building demonstrates how a project can benefit from the whole design team working together from the start to achieve the optimum outcome. The result is an environmentally friendly and modern working environment which embodies the ethos of Places for People as a company.

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