Leading air distribution systems provider, TROX UK, has optimised the limited headroom available at the newly refurbished David Wilson Library in the University of Leicester by supplying its pioneering exposed ventilation multi service chilled beams. The library is constructed using coffered ceiling detail which limited services access throughout the building.
In a £400,000 project TROX provided 930 linear metres of exposed DID300 multi-service chilled beams incorporating building services into a single raft. Services were designed to penetrate concrete downstand beams while maintaining a continuous fascia detail.
The DID300 beams can be employed for cooling and/or heating purposes and in this case provided both heating and cooling provision. The flat design of the DID300 units makes them ideal for use in low false ceilings. They can be deployed for both individual room control and group-wise zone control, subject to appropriate interconnection.
The multi service chilled beams incorporated specially designed wing profiles manufactured from architectural extruded aluminium. The beams incorporated the lighting and plenums for primary air supply.
The new library’s BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) 'Excellent' rating is the highest level that could be achieved at the time.
The M & E Consultant on the £32 million project to refurbish and extend the library was Faber Maunsell, (now known as AECOM following their corporate re-branding in May), and contractor was Bailey Building Services. The extension has raised the floor area from 7,952 sq m in the original library built in 1975 to 15,500 sq m.
The project also included a separately accessed 500-seat lecture theatre with accompanying seminar rooms and the refurbishment of part of the adjacent FieldingJohnsonBuilding.
