"The key benefit offered by the AET system was its inherent versatility," explains John Green, Gifford & Partners. "Each floor is essentially one large, open-plan office. The Flexible Space System brings an efficient air-conditioning solution which enables the building to be easily re-configured, with minimum cost and disruption, to meet different tenant requirements. In this way, the building services work to maximise the long-term commercial value of the building for the benefit of the client as well." Gifford & Partners won the coveted "Engineers Taking the Lead" title at the BSS 2003 awards ceremony.

In replacing the conventional ducted ventilation system, AET has provided over 6,000 sq. metres of its Flexible Space technology, featuring the market leading Hiross air-conditioning system concealed beneath special raised access flooring. This approach has also effectively addressed the issue of limited headroom in the building, creating a much more pleasant and productive working environment for all Bank House occupants.

AET's Flexible Space System is perfectly suited to a fast-changing commercial environment such as Bank House where there is a requirement to cope cost-effectively with office churn. Using the plenum under a raised access floor as a duct in itself, each floor is divided into a number of zones depending on the potential use and occupancy density of the area. Each zone is supplied with chilled or warmed air by a conditioned air module (CAM). The underfloor void is divided into supply and return air channels using easily relocatable, airtight baffles. Supply air is drawn up into the occupied space by fan assisted terminal units (FTU450), which are recessed into the floor, plug into an underfloor power source and are connected by data cabling for intelligent control. These fan tile units feature individual controls to provide variable speed and temperature adjusted for maximum user comfort. Air travels back to the CAM via return grilles located over the return channel for re-conditioning and is mixed with fresh air at that point to achieve high standards of indoor air quality.

Since they are not restricted by duct or pipe connections, FTU's are easily interchangeable with floor panels, allowing easy reconfiguration of the system to accommodate any changes eventual occupants wish to make to their office layout with minimum cost and disruption. Office IT and telecoms cabling as well as power points are also concealed beneath the raised access floor, minimising workspace congestion and making any subsequent reconfiguration a straightforward task.