We found this old article in a PR file from 1996 and reading it, many of the challenges we faced refurbishing a listed building, whilst updating the HVAC systems to be as efficient as possible remain the same. The technology we now have available to deploy gives us more flexibility and wider array of solutions, but even though this article is 28 years old, the thinking remains very much the same.
You can see the latest thinking in our recent article about refurbishing a listed building.
30 years ago, it was common policy to demolish rather than refurbish, but more and more buildings are now seen as worth preserving.
The discreet upgrading of the mechanical services is a crucial part of any refurbishment, and success in installation is measured by how little can actually be seen when the work is complete.
Kimpton has recently been involved in three major restoration projects in Liverpool – all listed buildings in the Hope Street area – which formed part of the multi million pound City Challenge Programme.
Firstly, the Paul McCartney backed Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts (LIPA), a unique ‘Fame’ style academy for the stars of tomorrow, has been established in the refurbished buildings of the old school. A key requirement for this 170 year-old building was that it should be heated, ventilated and air conditioned to the highest standards.
The second project was the £10 million refurbishment of the world famous Philharmonic Hall. Thirdly the Victorian, grade 2 listed Blackburne house, a former girls school, which had been derelict, and is now converted into a Women’s Training and Education Centre.
Each building presented different installation problems, but in general, the approach was the same. Kimpton engineers were required to observe the exceptional aesthetic demands of sympathetically converting the buildings, to work closely with the architect and contractors to ensure that high efficiency in energy conservation was achieved, and provide flexible control of services for the building users.
Individual needs had to be met – for example, controlled temperatures for the large instrument stores in the basement of the Philharmonic Hall were essential, yet space was severely limited for this installation, especially as a new kitchen and extract system was also to be created nearby.
In both the main auditorium of the Philharmonic hall and the large new theatre in the LIPA building, it was a key requirement that all heating and air-conditioning systems had to achieve near silent operation so there would be no noise interference during concerts, recordings and broadcasts. This was achieved in part by the installation of acoustic splitters in the existing brickwork air shafts.
Victorian buildings provide a fascinating working environment, chiefly because they offer a rare opportunity to observe working practices of a century or more ago, and tangible evidence of the level of skill and quality of materials used in construction. However, heating and ventilation was relatively primitive compared to modern technology, and of course air-conditioning was unknown.
Engineers in the 19th century did not require the space now demanded by modern, complex services because not every room would usually be served. For instance, large communal areas and hallways, not necessarily heated entirely by the central system, would be augmented by large coal fires, enabling architects to incorporate huge ornamental fireplaces as part of the building design.
On the other hand, due to the high thermal capacity of those old buildings, heat loss could be dramatically reduced depending on what work can be carried out to the original structure to reduce the fabric’s ‘U’ values and thereby meet current building regulations. But, very little of the existing system can be retained or even modified, so requiring major stripping out of the whole building and completely new ducting and pipework to be installed.
The fact that services have to be hidden, yet must still perform effectively and conform to design specifications, creates its own unique set of problems. Maintenance, for example, can be extremely difficult to carry out, while any minor changes to the building services installation after work is completed, can result in major costs.
Restriction of available space within ceiling voids usually negates the possibility of full air-conditioning. Therefore, the use of refrigeration (DX) cooling systems is often necessary, requiring space for two or three small bore insulated pipes with a condensate pipe for discharge of condensate/water for the internal unit. This type of system offers greater flexibility as the units can be mounted in numerous locations (e.g. below ceilings, floor mounted or even fully recessed), depending on which units are actually required.
Restricted access in basement boiler houses or plant rooms can often result in large equipment being inappropriate – adaptable equipment which could be supplied in smaller modules and then built up in the final location is therefore preferred.
Another regular frustration is caused by work scheduling. The installation of services proceed as and when the main contractor decides to carry out this work, often according to which part of the building is to be prioritised.
For example, for the Blackburne house project, the major installation of all services was to be in the basement, but for the technical reasons works had to commence on the second floor – the furthest point from the services area. This entailed installing small bore pipes first, working back to the boiler house and enlarging the pipes as the works proceeded.
Major planning by the construction team was needed to ensure that all the large bore pipework at the boiler house could be installed within the service voids, and in the correct format, without major pipework modifications.
Where equipment is exposed, a way has to be found of blending in with the surroundings. Fan convectors are usually boxed in with discharge grilles manufactured in brass, or of an ornate type; at the Philharmonic Hall these grilles were created to match the unique art deco style of the interior as conceived by the famous architect Herbert J Rowse.
Modern technology can achieve other benefits. With heating pipes hidden or boxed in, and only the radiators or heaters being exposed in individual rooms or public areas, thermostatic control can be much more accurate.
In the 19th century, a large bore cast iron mains would radiate heat around the building served by large radiators, with only manual control being possible. The pipes linking these would all have been exposed originally, and the heat emitted from them usually resulted in areas becoming overheated, so leading to discomfort for the occupants and considerable energy loss overall.
In the 1990s, zonal control via room mounted thermostat controls and pipeline mounted control valves enables the control system to ‘close down’ certain zones, particularly if these areas are subject to local heat gains.
One final consideration is fire safety regulations. Fire and smoke dampers have to be incorporated within the ventilation systems, especially where ducts pass through fire walls. Naturally, ductwork is no longer wooden – another safety feature. However, if requested by the local fire officer, the ventilation system may be adapted so they can be used to evacuate smoke from certain parts of the building, following a fire. A special switch can be installed within the reception area to be operated by the attending officers.
As could be seen from this article, many complex issues and engineering problems are encountered in restoration projects such as these. However, by working closely with the professional teams and specialists whose aim is to breathe new life into the superb old buildings, it is possible to establish a modern quality environment that is comfortable and economical while not detracting from the architectural beauty of the original structure.
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