Somerset House, East Wing

Background

Somerset House East Wing of Kings College London was a £13 million refurbishment project. EMCOR Engineering Services Ltd, supported by CACE, were responsible for the procurement, installation and commisioning of all mechanical and electrical services within this Grade 1 listed building of national importance.

The new accommodation in the building is on six floors – the ground floor is primarily exhibition space for Kings Culteral Institute but also provides a link between the courtyard of Somerset House and Kings Strand Campus and is a space for public engagement with cultural and artistic uses plus a cafe. The first floor has conference space and seminar rooms. The second and third floor, and part of the lower ground floor, with have the brand new facilities for “The Dickson Poon School of Law” which has now moved from inadequate premises in the Strand.

The Somerset House East Wing has been called one of the great architectural treasures of the UK and Europe. Its spacious original interiors and a number of magnificent stone staircases were in critical need of refurbishment. The refurbishment fulfilled a 180 year long ambition of the College to acquire the building, and enables the provision of a significant front door to the College Strand Campus.

Scope of Works

The following specialist services were provided:

• Data
• Trace heating
• Zone control heating
• Pipe work
• Ventilation
• Air-conditioning
• Building management system
• Lighting control(daylight saving)
• Security and access control
• CCTV and Fire alarms
• Lightening protection
• Fan coil unit control
• Power factor correction
• Water saving-auto control
• Objectives

To achieve a BREEAM rating of “Very Good” in a Grade 1 listed building To make modifications to accommodate the demanding servicing requirements, using the existing fabric to achieve a mixed mode ventilation system which responds to the technical requirements but works with the limitations of the building.

Value Delivered

In order to achieve a BREEAM rating of “Very Good” EMCOR were responsible for Power Factor Correction in the building. This reduces the electrical load and minimises wasted energy to improve the efficiency of the plant. EMCOR installed water saving devices such as auto-control in the washrooms. In addition to this, energy efficiency was increased by installing new lighting that included daylight saving features, and by applying reflective film to windows to keep offices cool during summer months.

Solutions

EMCOR delivered pre-fabrication on the project for both speed and high quality installation. This also reduced both the risk of accidents and product damage and ensured conformity to the latest building standards and quality assurance principles.

Kings College London

Wates Construction

EMCOR Engineering Services Ltd

Hoare Lee

BDP Clerkenwell

Mechanical, Electrical & Public health

£5