Building, Heritage and Conservation : Case Study

St Mathews

BACKGROUND

Built in 1827, St. Matthews was originally a Sunday school. This unique freestanding building was of brick construction and blue slate roof. The building was re-constructed in 1986 to create new office environments. The accommodation was divided into a basement, ground floor and two mezzanine levels arranged around irregular atria. It was an open environment, which includes, Open king post truss roof and several atriums flooding the building with natural light.

The Challenge

In the summer, the building became unbearably hot, with access to windows difficult because of their position, plus many didn’t open. In winter the large open spaces were hard to heat, making it unpleasant for employees. The building fabric, being old, was challenging in terms of thermal values being harder to achieve. The key elements identified were to upgrade and improve the working environment for employees who were being affected by lack of heat in winter, poor lighting and stifling heat in the summer.

THE APPROACH AND SOLUTION

In summary we looked at design ideas that had a three-pronged approach:

Finding heating and cooling solutions that were both sustainable and energy-efficient to run. Environmentally friendly green design strategies meant studying existing sun patterns of warmth and light and winter cold spots. By look at shading (window solutions that produced cooling in summer and improved thermal values in winter) and considering air flow, (access to windows by remote and simple opening and closing solutions), we were able to improve both heating and cooling.

Over time, the decorative interior condition had deteriorated, some outside maintenance problems had affected interior décor and caused damp problems. Looking at improving thermal values in walls, flooring and ceiling materials had potential to improve overall performance.

By providing smaller office areas improved lighting and overall cosiness of the environment for workers. IT also enabled each area to provide more localised heating and cooling solutions, allowing for better management of resources and creating greater energy and cost savings.

The outside of the building could not be changed due to its grade 2 listing. Breaking down of environments into smaller defined office or other spaces, allowed for more energy Efficiency and a much more pleasant and controllable use of spaces. Electrifying windows and blinds produced more control over sunlight and cold.

THE RESULTS

A whole approach to a set of design problems. By surveying the building, the staff and owner, we were able to break down not only priorities and a work plan for repairs, but create designs based on a more accurate picture of the building’s use. Building surveys also informed each solution. From this we were able to build the perfect plan, then discern order of upgrades against costs. We managed the decision-making process based firstly on quick wins but also on longer term investments and improvements. In any new works, additional improvement of thermal values could be made. The use of temporary structures in a building that was listed created separate manageable environments and efficient and much more pleasant and controllable use of spaces. And, of course, preserved the original building according to its listing. The perfect solution to a complex set of problems.