Box Twenty are providing mechanical, electrical, public health & lift consultancy services associated with the proposed commercial redevelopment of the existing Friary office building near Temple Meads in Bristol.

The building comprises of a basement car park, 4 storeys of offices and plant located on the roof. The fabric and main building services are largely as originally constructed.

The proposed project involves the major refurbishment of the existing building areas and the addition of 3 new floors to the building. The existing basement is being retained as a car park with the addition of plantrooms, welfare and cycle facilities being created. The Ground Floor shall include a double height entrance and reception area, with a shell and Core Commercial unit. 1st to 6th floors shall be provided as Cat A office space.

The refurbishment element of the project includes removing the building façade and all installed services to create a structural shell. Then a new lift core shall be created and all new façade and building services installed. The existing roof of the building is being removed to then extend the building vertically to provide the 3 additional storeys of office plus the roof terrace and plant area.

We have already produced design information and strategies that been included within the design that has sucessfully secured planning permission for the development. This included the energy strategy proposal for project to meet the requirements of Building Regulations, BREEAM and Bristol City Council requirements for renewable energy technologies.

We have undertaken utility load assessments and utility searches for the site and liaised with the utility companies with respect to their requirements to service the new building. This has required the inclusion of a new electrical substation within the builidng. Box Twenty are currently developing our MEP designs to RIBA work stage 4, detailed design, for a D&B Tender. This includes all new MEP service provisions to suit split-tenancy office floor plates and plant requirements for both the base-build scheme and future tenants. There are also service provisions for a Ground Floor Commercial Unit.

The project is targeting the following accreditations; BREEAM, WELL, NABERS, WiredScore, SmartScore and ActiveScore which have all influenced the building services design.

We are significantly improving the existing building by re-cladding & insulating the façade. We are achieving 49% CO2 emissions reductions for the refurbished areas and 38% CO2 reductions on the new-build elements when compared to a Part L compliant building. The M&E systems throughout the building will comprise of high-efficiency VRF heat recovery heating/cooling, with heat recovery mechanical ventilation systems, combined with a 21kWp roof-mounted PV array and LED lighting throughout.