Our commercial refurbishment of Chadwick House, delivered in JV with Dowds, consisted of the removal of all existing single pane glazing, steel frame windows and curtain walling, including temporary weathering, totalling 7000sqm of glazing. We installed new aluminium frame windows and curtain walling within unaltered structural openings and fittings of DGUs, offering enhanced thermal performance and greater light penetration for better occupant comfort. We also removed the existing main entrance features, installation of a new building entrance and feature canopy, alongside CAT A refurbishment and part CAT B fit out for incoming tenants.
At Chadwick House, all glazing has been selected to provide improved levels of comfort for the occupiers, exceeding the minimum required u-values under Part L of the Building Regulations. Glazing with a mix of g-values between 0.35 and 0.4 was being installed across each of the elevations to provide optimum comfort and passive building performance. In liaison with specialist consultants, we commissioned a thermal model created using EDSL TAS software to assess the improvement offered by the proposed glazing and ensure compliance with CIBSE Technical Memoranda 52: The limits of thermal comfort: avoiding overheating. In line with PAS2038 guidance, we wanted to ensure that the improved u-value of the new glazing, which was delivering the client’s desire for improved energy efficiency, would not reduce occupant comfort and productivity through overheating.
Working alongside the occupied floors, with sensitive tenants including National Nuclear Laboratories and National Nuclear Technologies, required careful mitigation of noise and vibration. We undertook an HAVS review with our façade supplier Bretton Architectural, which has resulted in Bretton utilising mechanical snips, rather than reciprocating saws or grinders, to remove the existing window frames, which is considerably quieter.
Client
Patrizia
At Chadwick House, we utilised our latest innovation Openspace, which produces 360 image walkthrough scans, from a site walkaround, through a helmet mounted 360 camera. This is assisting with defect management, by allowing rapid capture and circulation to supply chain of high-quality images of any issues, with a fully auditable trail. Additionally, it is assisting with progress reporting through capturing dated snapshots of progress, allowing clear visualisation of works completed over a given period.
Following the identification of potential asbestos within the window sealants, we instructed an immediate standdown of site operations to allow for the material to be tested by a specialist consultant. Upon confirmation of the material as asbestos, we worked with specialist supply chain to create a methodology for its removal and develop a mitigation programme for the client, including full visibility of associated cost.
