Passive multi-service chilled beams from TROX have provided the perfect solution for the refurbishment of an imposing art deco building in London. The contract, worth in the region of £1 million, involved supply of 1,720 metres of TROX multi-service chilled beam designed specifically for the building. Combining air conditioning, lighting, lighting control and PA facilities in a single architect-inspired fixture, the chilled beam made a major contribution to the successful conversion of this 1930’s building.

157 – 197 Buckingham Palace Road is the London headquarters of the National Audit Office – the government department concerned with ‘value for money’ in public spending. The central portion of the site was built in 1939 for Imperial Airways and was described by The Times as ‘the finest air terminal in the world’. The building reflects the art deco style of the time, with its clock tower and winged statue.

The age of the building presented a number of practical challenges when adapting it to provide the flexible, modern, working environment required. A number of services needed to be introduced, in a building not originally designed for this purpose, whilst remaining true to the architect’s ambitions for the space. The low floor to ceiling heights of 2.6m meant the design team had to look for an exposed beam solution that would maximise the low height space whilst delivering high levels of cooling and thermal comfort.

The TROX exposed multi-service passive chilled beams provided an ideal solution. The design committee for the chilled beams included the architect, throughout the process, leading to an outstanding finished result in which extremely close attention has been given to both the aesthetic and technical requirements.

A number of services for occupant comfort and safety are designed into the chilled beams, and consideration has also been given to energy efficiency (through inherently low consumption cooling units and PIR sensors for active management of lighting levels). 

TROX Design Bureau was also able to tackle the practical and technical challenges of relatively low ceiling heights when designing the chilled beams. It also achieved the desired finished effects required by the architect for the building’s characteristic crescent ceiling – an unusual space requiring careful positioning of beams to enhance the visual effect.

During development, a full laboratory test of the chilled beam, at TROX’s site in Thetford, made it possible for the design committee to experience the aesthetic impact of the beam, and receive reports on its thermal, audio and lighting performance. The incorporation of so many building services in a single off-site constructed fitting, also helped to streamline this prestigious refurbishment project.

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