AET Flexible Space - Experts & Thought Leaders

Flax House is a five-story Victorian building with red brick, warehouse-style construction, located on Adelaide Street in the Linen Quarter of Belfast. Originally home to handkerchief manufacturer, McBride & Williams, the warehouse building was designed by Young & Mackenzie and built-in 1906-7.  Straidorn Properties acquired 83-91 Adelaide Street in 2016 after it had been derelict for 30 years. UfAC Installation The refurbished and fully extended Flax House now offers five storeys of exceptional grade-A office space, with each floor plate typically configured to provide around 5597 sq. ft. lettable space.  Underfloor air conditioning, with full underfloor supply, and underfloor return air was specified so that the warehouse loft ceilings could be left exposed, highlighting the retained features and building characteristics. plenum air conditioning Flax House is the second building on Adelaide Street to make use of plenum air conditioning.  A total of 11 CAM-C downflow units and 128 TU4 Fantiles were supplied for the five storey building.  Completed in 2018, the building is now fully let, each floor with a different tenant, and the businesses include the modern, tech-focused firms which the developer has looked to attract.

According to the Carbon Trust, around 40% of commercial floor space is expected to be air-conditioned by 2020, compared with only 10% at the end of 1994. Demand is therefore increasing rapidly and due to this, building owners and operators are encouraged to look carefully at energy consumption, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, in particular, to see where savings can be made. The Carbon Trust also suggests that specifying a new air conditioning system should consider both user and client requirements, including foreseeable changes. This article explores the adaptability of air conditioning systems and their application to commercial office space. Building services Even adequately specified systems with good initial design can suffer reduced operational efficiency after a change of use Future change of use is undeniably a huge issue for the building services industry, and in some cases, it could be said that by the time a building has been built, the design may well have been superseded. Even adequately specified systems with good initial design can suffer reduced operational efficiency after a change of use, occupational density, and associated heat loads, or even full spatial reconfiguration, as the existing capacity may not be available to meet the new requirements. At worst, poorly designed building services may never meet the needs of speculative occupants, and all too often catastrophic wastage of construction materials can be seen at building sites where inadequate services quickly become redundant and are consequently removed rather than rectified. AETs underfloor systems In a recent article, low-level services in comparison with ceiling-based services, deriving that floor-level services offer a number of benefits. AET has supplied underfloor systems to buildings worldwide since the early 1990s, and some 25 years later, it still, maintain some of their original UfAC installations in the UK. These buildings and the internal spatial requirements have evolved significantly over the years, keeping up with the demands of fast-changing work environments. Good initial services design has allowed these buildings to maintain the pace of churn within the workspace, retain much of the original equipment, with only essential upgrades to controls and communications required.  In some cases, clients have opted for EC fan upgrades, and perhaps to increase the capacity of the zone unit, but the option for re-use and reconfiguring equipment is prevalent. Installation at Jaguar Land Rover’s Gaydon plant The 1996 installation at Jaguar Land Rover’s Gaydon plant in Warwickshire is an excellent example of how the facilities team has made the best use of the flexible underfloor system, easily catering to frequent changes in occupants density and spatial layouts in the BCO award-winning office building. They also reported a significant increase in user satisfaction. UfAC was specified as an option that would bring cooling to the inner areas of each deep space floor area At Tricorn House in Birmingham, UfAC was specified as an option that would bring cooling to the inner areas of each deep space floor area, while maximizing headroom with a restrictive 2.8m slab to underside slab height. Over the phased twelve-year refurbishment, the system has proved to be adaptable and flexible for the speculative, multi-tenanted building, easily accommodating increasing cooling load requirements through higher density and occupant demand at the Cat-B fit-out stage. A further feature was the addition of units that introduce fresh untreated air at floor level to the downflow units, significantly reducing plant space riser and maintenance requirements. Sustainability of underfloor systems Underfloor systems are deemed to be sustainable. By employing modular equipment and zoned layouts, each zone can be operated with autonomy, but it is the inherent flexibility of the system that can futureproof a building for the specifier. A British Council of Offices (BCO) report published in 2002, “Sustainable buildings are a better business, can we deliver them together?” compares various air conditioning options over a 25 year period and suggests that the combined capital costs for the developer (CAT-A) and tenant (CAT-B) is the lowest for the underfloor system, and it is considerably cheaper when considering other factors such as churn, energy, replacement, and maintenance. Well-designed system The modularity of UfAC equipment is a distinct advantage when proceeding from CAT-A to CAT-B fit-out. A well-designed system with an effective zoning strategy will have taken into account future capacity for the zone downflow units, and additional fan terminal units to cater to the occupied loads can be easily added into the zone with minimal disruption as they are designed to be interchangeable with a standard 600mm x 600mm floor tile. The interchangeability also allows easy reconfiguration to accommodate partitions and cellular office spaces within the zone. The concept is very simple but very effective. Cost-efficient based on comparisons Comparison of different air conditioning systems considers the whole life costs and not just the initial capital cost Comparison of different air conditioning systems must take into account whole life costs and not simply the initial capital cost. Operational efficiency will change along with the use of the building and peak performance can be maintained through regular maintenance and correct commissioning procedures. Underfloor systems can prove advantageous, considering that the majority of the equipment is located at floor level, maintenance is simple and easy without the need for working at heights, and is therefore proven to be easier and more cost-effective when compared with ceiling-based systems. Panasonic in Paris quoted a net saving in the cost of change of $150/m2 comparing a building with a UfAC system and a building with a Fan Coil system. Time spent on reconfiguration was reduced to 1 week from 10 weeks by adopting the UfAC system. Dramatic figures which, over the life of a building equate to huge financial savings.

AET Flexible Space has just completed a full upgrade of the underfloor air conditioning system on the first floor of 16-18 Kirby Street, occupied by creative agency 7Fold. Refurbishments The 26,000 sq. ft., 1960’s post-war building was fully refurbished in 2006, enlarged and remodeled by Architect, Buckley Gray Yeoman, with underfloor air conditioning and raised access flooring installed throughout the seven floors. The existing system at Kirby Street is a CAM-C system with underfloor supply air and underfloor return air. The first floor is split into two zones, with each zone served with a CAM-C35 downflow unit supplying conditioned air to the underfloor plenum. This conditioned air is supplied into the workspace via fan terminal units, known as Fantiles, which are recessed into the plenum beneath the raised access floor. Underfloor air conditioning systems are inherently flexible and easily reconfigured according to changing demands of the space. Recent upgrades and workspace description The recent upgrade at Kirby Street was specifically for the 1st-floor area, occupied by an established creative agency, 7Fold. The existing CAM-C downflow units were retained, but the original AC fans were changed out for new high-efficiency EC fans for enhanced performance. Existing Fantiles were cleaned and relocated with an additional twelve units supplied to cater for increased cooling loads Existing Fantiles were cleaned and relocated, with an additional twelve units supplied to cater for increased cooling loads anticipated by the client as a result of the space reconfiguration. The workspace is a mixed workspace with open plan areas, modular meeting pods, a formal meeting room, a soft meeting/lounge room, and kitchen facilities, and is used by 7Fold and creative industry freelancers. New Installations As well as the core equipment upgrade, the client opted for new sound attenuator boxes to be installed beneath the Fantiles to minimize noise transfer between the workspace, fan booster modules to enhance fresh air provision and ten FlexTouch wall controllers were fitted to permit easy control of Fantile temperature and fan speed as well as CO2 monitoring. New for old Nesite raised access flooring was also supplied including 40 m2 bespoke covering, Grey Oak Istoria Parquet, for the soft meeting/lounge area within the space. AET worked directly for the landlord, Grosvenor Securities on the fit-out works, which were completed in May 2018, and the end result is a fabulous adaptable collaborative space suited to the creative community in the Camden area of London.

Demand for underfloor air conditioning systems, which are far more flexible and adaptable than ceiling-based systems, has risen as developers and landlords scramble to reconfigure office spaces in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Experts have predicted a 50% reduction in office occupancy, as millions embrace working from home. What is underfloor air conditioning? A zonal underfloor air conditioning system makes use of the raised floor void as a plenum for the distribution of air. Supply and return channels are created under the floor, and zone units serving areas of up to 300m2 are suitably located throughout the office space to generate conditioned air locally to serve the needs of the space. Underfloor air conditioning goes further than displacement systems, offering full function control of the indoor environment Individually controlled fan terminals of either recessed or floor standing configuration are let into the floor over supply plena. These terminals introduce air into the space above in accordance with the dictates of their own on-board temperature sensors and controls system. Users can adjust fan speed and set point temperature individually. Return air grilles are positioned in the floor over return plena. The whole system is controlled by means of the electronic management system controlling the operation of the zone units and the associated fan terminals permitting centralized monitoring and control. Underfloor systems are inherently compartmentalised and offer highly effective solutions in multi-tenant areas and other environmentally challenging applications.  Many low-height refurbished spaces suffer from high levels of user complaint due mainly to draft from ceiling mounted outlets positioned too close to the user. The changing work environment At AET Flexible Space, we have seen increased demand, both from existing clients looking to reconfigure their office space, and new clients looking for a flexible air conditioning which can help to future-proof their office. A huge benefit of an underfloor air conditioning system is that they are inherently flexible, and can be changed to suit new room layouts within minutes. Our unique Fantile™ units are installed to sit in-line with the finished floor, and can be easily repositioned at any time without the need for the significant, and costly, building works usually involved in repositioning ceiling-based ductwork. A huge benefit of an underfloor air conditioning system is that they are inherently flexible We are already seeing that COVID-19 has accelerated the trend towards more flexible, future-proofed, and sustainable office space. We have been seeing an increase in demand for our underfloor systems for some time, but the coronavirus lockdown has certainly made more people consider the end-users of this office space, and how they can be best served Workplace wellness is also an increasing concern, and may be a key element for encouraging workers back into the office. The Workplace Wellness Study conducted by Future Workforce found that workplace environment is more important to employee satisfaction, engagement and productivity than most organizations realize. 67% of employees said they are more productive in workplaces that promote a healthy environment. One-third said they lose at least an hour of productivity each day due to office environments that don’t support their daily health. Beyond the inherent flexibility of underfloor air conditioning systems, they also offer high levels of energy efficiency, sustainability, and air quality. As there is no ductwork with an underfloor system, individual zones operate at very low-pressure encouraging energy efficiency. AET’s systems have helped attract LEED and BREEAM and other Green Building points, and can provide up to 30% savings in energy costs and a 29% reduction in C02 emissions when compared to ceiling systems. Cost savings Cost savings are also a key concern for everyone in the post-COVID world, and the flexibility and economy of an underfloor system across the lifetime of a building is increasingly attractive. The British Council for Offices (BCO) indicates that underfloor air conditioning can offer dramatic savings in overall cost, but it requires a co-ordinated team approach to achieve the optimum result. The flexibility and economy of an underfloor system across the lifetime of a building is increasingly attractive In the past the only way to reduce ceiling-based HVAC costs has been to reduce the specification and downsize plant, or reduce flexibility by increasing the size of terminal outlets and reducing numbers. However, these solutions often result in increased complaints of end-users about draughts and noise, which necessitates a costly and environmentally unfriendly re-design. Ceiling-based systems also demand service and maintenance from within the work space, from the simple task of changing filters in fan-coils or cassettes, to more complicated reconfigurations of pipework and ducts to suit a new layout below. Not only do these refits mean significant hidden cost, but they also cause disruption, and have a high risk of damage from condensate leakage. Construction Considerations In order to maximize the benefits of underfloor air conditioning, it must be introduced into the overall design philosophy at an early stage. When incorporated into the overall building design, savings can be made to curtain wall costs, all other height-related savings such as elevator shafts, columns, stairwells, riser shafts, and vertical services such as mains pipe-work and electrical risers. The Swedish National Pension Fund has reported overall cost savings of between 5% and 7% in buildings using underfloor air conditioning. In order to maximize the benefits of underfloor air conditioning, it must be introduced into the overall design Good quality underfloor air conditioning systems are similar in price to conventional good quality fan coil systems, but underfloor systems also reduce the cost of construction and offer tax advantages. The average office building costs in UK are in the region of £1000 to £2000 per square meter. Therefore, a 5% saving in overall cost could range from £50 to £100 per square meter. The average cost of any AC system is in the region of £120 to £200 per square meter, and so an overall saving in construction equates to something in the region of 50% of the AC system. As we move forward into 2021 and beyond, commercial construction is going to require sustainable and cost-effective design. With so many benefits, it is clear why so many in the construction industry are now turning to underfloor air conditioning solutions.

Welcome to our Expert Panel Roundtable, a new feature of HVACInformed.com. We will be asking timely questions about the HVAC market and seeking out experts in the field to provide responses. Our goal is to promote a useful exchange of information on a variety of topics and to create a forum for discussion of important issues facing the industry. Launching this new feature in the middle of a global pandemic made choosing our first question quite easy. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What has been the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the HVAC market?

Underfloor air conditioning has come of age. Worldwide, major developers are embracing this technology for its height-saving benefits in new builds, and headroom increases in refurbishments. With the ever-growing focus on sustainability in the construction industry, building designers must take advantage of new technologies to improve sustainability and adaptability. At the same time, there is pressure to deliver reduced costs in the design process, whilst also improving the ease and speed of both the original construction and any future reconfigurations in order to minimize wastage and embodied energy. Architects, developers, and consultants are now turning to underfloor air conditioning technology to help to deliver these key benefits.  What is underfloor air conditioning? A zonal underfloor air conditioning system makes use of the raised floor void as a plenum for the distribution of air. Supply and return channels are created under the floor, and zone units serving areas of up to 300m2 are suitably located throughout the office space to generate conditioned air locally to serve the needs of the space. A zonal underfloor air conditioning system makes use of the raised floor void Individually controlled fan terminals of either recessed or floor standing configuration are let into the floor over supply plena. These terminals introduce air into the space above in accordance with the dictates of their own on-board temperature sensors and controls system. Users can adjust fan speed and set point temperature individually. Return air grilles are positioned in the floor over return plena. The whole system is controlled by means of the electronic management system controlling the operation of the zone units and the associated fan terminals permitting centralised monitoring and control.  Full-function control Underfloor air conditioning goes further than displacement systems, offering full function control of the indoor environment. Zone units can deliver sanitised conditioned air into the floor void supply plena and draw spent air back through the return plena. Underfloor systems are inherently compartmentalized and offer highly effective solutions in multi-tenant areas and other environmentally challenging applications. Many low-height refurbished spaces suffer from high levels of user complaint due mainly to draught from ceiling mounted outlets positioned too close to the user.  Height savings and headroom increases Every developer wants to achieve Pension Fund regulation heights in their buildings. Every architect wants to save height in their construction. Every consultant knows that for a ceiling-based AC system to function, be serviceable, and be flexible he needs 400mm to 600mm clear space in the ceiling void; and every electrical consultant requires a minimum of 150mm in the raised access floor for cable distribution, cross-overs etc. This means that, in a modern office, the services zones make up approximately 600 to 900mm of the total height of each floor. With ductless underfloor air conditioning, that zone can often be reduced by between 300mm and 500mm, depending on specification, offering a height saving in new build construction of 10% to 15%. The height savings available in new builds thanks to underfloor air conditioning can also save large quantities of construction materials and reduce the embodied energy dramatically. Cutting construction costs The 10th tallest building in the world, located in Hong Kong, was able to save 35m in construction height as a result of its underfloor air conditioning system. This led to a saving of over £5 million in curtain walling costs alone, as well as a 19% saving in energy demand, and reduced wind loadings and thus foundation costs. Overall, the building saved the equivalent of all vertical elements of a 10-storey building. Underfloor air conditioning technology can offer increased headroom availability of 300mm or more In older buildings, underfloor air conditioning technology can offer increased headroom availability of 300mm or more. This increased floor to ceiling height in older buildings often means that they can be revitalised rather than demolished, which is a key element of sustainable construction. Retaining the ceiling structure as a feature Many modern buildings are making features of their ceiling structures, while older buildings often have original or listed ceilings. Ceiling-based air conditioning systems virtually eliminate any chance of retaining the architectural detail of these beautiful original or feature ceilings. On the other hand, underfloor air conditioning removes the need for any ceiling-based services, making it an excellent solution for preserving the ceiling structure. In many buildings, there is an existing need for raised floors, which then limits the available height of the ceiling void, resulting in compromised solutions. By increasing the raised floor height from 150mm to 300mm, an underfloor system can easily be accommodated, meaning that ceiling services can be eliminated, offering a 200mm to 400mm potential increase in headroom in the space. Cost savings The British Council for Offices (BCO) indicates that underfloor air conditioning can offer dramatic savings in overall cost, but it requires a co-ordinated team approach to achieve the optimum result. Typically, the only way to reduce HVAC costs is to reduce the specification and downsize plant, or reduce flexibility by increasing the size of terminal outlets and reducing numbers. However, these solutions often result in increased complaints of end-users about draughts and noise, which necessitates a costly and environmentally unfriendly re-design. Ceiling-based systems also demand service and maintenance from within the work space, from the simple task of changing filters in fancoils or cassettes, to more complicated reconfigurations of pipework and ducts to suit a new layout below. Not only do these refits mean significant hidden cost, but they also cause disruption, and have a high risk of damage from condensate leakage. As it can be maintained from floor-level, underfloor air conditioning offers a dramatic reduction in maintenance costs, risks of leakage, and disruption during reconfiguration. Maximizing the benefits In order to maximise the benefits of underfloor air conditioning, it must be introduced into the overall design philosophy at an early stage. When incorporated into the overall building design, savings can be made to curtain wall costs, all other height-related savings such as lift shafts, columns, stairwells, riser shafts, and vertical services such as mains pipe-work and electrical risers. The Swedish National Pension Fund has reported overall cost savings of between 5% and 7% in buildings using underfloor air conditioning. Moving forwards, modern construction will require sustainable and cost-effective design Good quality underfloor air conditioning systems are similar in price to conventional good quality fan coil systems, but underfloor systems also reduce the cost of construction and offer tax advantages. The average office building costs in UK are in the region of £1000 to £2000 per square metre. Therefore, a 5% saving in overall cost could range from £50 to £100 per square metre. The average cost of any AC system is in the region of £120 to £200 per square metre, and so an overall saving in construction equates to something in the region of 50% of the AC system. Moving forwards, modern construction will require sustainable and cost-effective design. With so many benefits, it is clear why so many in the construction industry are now turning to underfloor air conditioning solutions.