The overcladding and improved insulation on the external walls have improved U-values by more than 65%, according to the designers


by more than 65% from 1.5 W/sq m/K to 0.35. The U-value of the windows has improved by more than 75%, from 5.8W/sq m/K to 1.8W/ sq m/K, according to the designers. The use of PV as solar shading, together


with improved specification of fenestration, has achieved more than 50% reduction in solar gain. ‘The rooflights had to be replaced and the minimum improvement would be to put in double glazing and blinds,’ says Dabee. ‘PVs are normally expensive, but by including PV cells as one of the panes it made sense.’


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Construction sequencing, decanting and handovers


The project was carried out while the building was occupied and the team worked closely with the university to develop a room-by-room decommissioning, handover and re-commissioning programme for the building. The project was


undertaken in three phases, the first being the smallest, providing the opportunity for the contractor – Charter Construction – to gain experience overcladding the complex geometry of this building. The areas of heaviest use were programmed


for the long vacation. Scaffolding was erected across each phase, with work carried out from the uppermost storey down to ground level, on a room- by-room basis, with all trades completing at each level before moving to the next storey.


March 2012 CIBSE Journal 7


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