Hidden energy generates total flexibility

The original Jersey Power Station has been spectacularly converted into offices and retail space for The Jersey Electricity Company. The brief for The Manser Practice architects involved the gutting of this 1930s building and reconstruction of the turbine hall into a central atrium with 3-storey wings on either side.

It was the decision of Jersey Energy consultant Martin Kezourec that the new building should also incorporate a revolutionary system of climate control and layout flexibility known as AET Flexible Space. This decision meant that the void below the access floor becomes the duct for the distribution of air-conditioning, heating and services. This eliminated the inflexibility of conventional piping, fixed ducts and false ceilings needed for conventional air-conditioning. By using this advanced system of indoor environmental technology, the occupants have freedom to modify internal layouts to accommodate organisational changes and to optimise indoor climate conditions by the simple expedient of resiting the visible floor grilles (fantiles).

Elimination of the false ceiling also meant that the unusual prewar curved pressed steel roof could remain as an exposed feature and not concealed. The provision of clean air through the floor would also create the healthiest of environments and pleasant working conditions.

Although the 350mm deep access flooring was supplied by AET using vinyl, carpet tiles, or wood to a modular 600mm grid, or virtually any type of flexible floorcovering or hard flooring can be used.

Apart from performance and easy maintenance, many cost savings are obtained from using AET Flexible Space. For example, when the void is used in this way as a ventilated plenum, the whole floor and associated components, such as partitions, is treated as equipment and not as a fixture, and is therefore subject to capital allowances/depreciation. In relation to facilites operating costs, a reduction of up to 30% is possible since the disruption associated with changes to a conventional ceiling-based system will cost £100-£174sqm more. For new projects and because suspended ceilings are eliminated, the overall height of a multi-storied building can be reduced by up to 15% with up to 7% savings in construction costs.

Issued by Christopher Sykes Pressential tel 01883 623329 fax 01883 625506 on behalf of Advanced Ergonomic Technologies

For further information contact:
Glan Blake Thomas at AET on
Tel: 01883 744860 Fax: 01883 741 866
Web Site: www.FlexibleSpace.com
Email: AET@FlexibleSpace.com