Client’s Requirements

Horsforth based Healthcare IT provider TPP will relocate its’ operation to a new purpose-built accommodation a few hundred yards down the road from its existing offices.

The 85,000 sq. ft. head office building will be on a sloping site, and incorporates two levels of under croft car parking facilities. The four-storey, steel frame structure has a frontal, road-side elevation of traditional Yorkshire stone with a pitched tiled roof. The rear façade has a more contemporary design with curtain walling and rain screen cladding panels.

The client’s brief for a simple naturally ventilated building with almost limitless flexibility has challenged the boundaries commonly associated with conventional office servicing strategies.

Silcock Leedham’s Contribution

Silcock Leedham was appointed as the client’s M+E consultant delivering a traditional full design scheme.

In order to determine the most appropriate servicing strategy, we were a critical contributor to the building’s design, form and function, relying heavily on dynamic thermal modelling to assess the effectiveness of different building forms, orientation, construction method and servicing strategies.

Added Value / Unique Selling Points

The building has delivered a highly IT rich environment and through a highly innovative natural ventilation strategy, the client’s aspiration of achieving zero mechanical cooling has been achieved.

To demonstrate this, we undertook considerable Thermal, Airflow & Mass Modelling to inform the design and increase the effectiveness of the earth ducts, wind catchers, solar chimneys and numerous other passive peak temperature control measures.

The servicing and distribution strategy has been specifically designed to offer the utmost flexibility in future desk churn, achieved by wireless networks and modularised service carriers beneath the raised access flooring.