Large-scale M&E services completed for 18-storey London residential scheme
The regeneration of a 17-storey tower block in London has been completed with the G&H Group designing and installing a wide array of mechanical and electrical services.
G&H Building Services was appointed to the Britannia Point scheme in Colliers Wood by the main contractor JJ Rhatigan.
The project for Criterion Capital has seen the building turned from an unloved 1960s office block into a Chicago School style glass-clad residential development with 114 modern apartments and street level shops.
The construction of an additional floor has increased the building to 18 storeys.
A further 68 apartments have been built in an extension on the north side of the site.
G&H Building Services designed and installed full M&E building services including heating, power distribution, fire alarms, heat recovery ventilation and domestic services to 182 apartments in total.
A central plantroom provides a district heating system that feeds individual heat interface units in each of the one and two-bed properties.
G&H Fabrication manufactured bespoke stainless steel pipework risers off-site in its specialist welding facility and delivered to site at the precise time they were needed.
Senior Contracts Manager at G&H Building Services, Paul Cuss, said: “This was a complex scheme with modern building services installed into an existing structure that was being remodelled.
“It was technically very challenging due to the shallow ceiling voids which meant we had little space to work with when installing services.
“Furthermore, access to the 182 rooms over 18-storeys was only available via staircases so transporting materials and equipment was very labour intensive and required excellent planning to ensure deliveries were made when needed.
“The end result is modern residential accommodation with each apartment offering high quality heating, lighting and electrical systems to make living in the transformed tower a pleasurable experience.”
Constructed in 1966 the building was first named the Lyon Tower and then The Vortex. The building became known as the Brown & Root Tower after the American engineering firm Brown & Root Halliburton, which occupied it from 1971 to 1995.
Criterion Capital has owned the building since 2000.
