Match factor

Anyone visiting the Speke area of Liverpool recently will have noticed an impressive regeneration scheme underway. At the heart of this is the old Bryant & May match making factory. This grade II structural listed building has been transformed from rundown sheds into a contemporary office development that boasts a number of interesting and individual services designs.

The original building was constructed in 1919 and thanks to some innovative thinking from local developers Urban Splash, architects Shed KM, and consultant engineers WSP it has maintained much of its original external appearance following the restoration. Internally the space is open-plan and divided onto three floors. When it was first built the structure was two storeys high. Now, through the installation of a steel-frame mezzanine on the original double-height ground floor level, a third floor has been created.

A key feature in the design process for both the engineer and architect was ensuring protection of the structure because of its listing. It meant that there could be no alteration to the external appearance – this affected the whole approach to the refurbishment. Paul Harris associate at WSP explains: "Because the building was listed careful consideration was given to the servicing strategy for the development. The location of services, and the proposed function of the units requiring maximum flexibility of use once complete, was of utmost importance."

It was decided that the best way to overcome the problem was to install the plant outside. As a result six identical stainless-steel pods having duplicate plant design were fitted to the rear of the structure. Each service pod provides plant space for heating and electrical distribution equipment and has allowance for other services such as telecommunications. Underfloor heating and electrical services are zoned to provide flexibility to each pavilion.

Making the most of the structure
In its original form the building had no back wall and opened out into a courtyard. This offered the opportunity for the designers to create an area for the services without affecting the facade. Neil Dawson of Shed KM says: "Having no rear wall meant we could do pretty much what we liked to the back of the building." The designers could have installed services within the structure, but as Dawson explains: "With the design brief of keeping as much of the original appearance and effect we decided to build a rear wall that mirrored the front and add on external pods to house the services."

Now completed the building is to be let. The internal space is open-plan on all floors with little evidence of any services other than the lighting. The ground and first floors have been divided by partitions into six sections of 230 m2, with a service pod for each space. The sections on the lower floors have the potential to be sub-divided into four, with a central reception on the ground floor that leads up to an atrium space on the first floor level.

On the top floor the pods have a different purpose, acting as a toilet facility and kitchen area. Plant rooms serving the top floor only are located at either end of the building. These rooms already existed in the original shed and, taking into account the building's structural listing, it was decided that they should serve as plant rooms for future tenant plant installations.

Flexibility was key during the planning. WSP's Harris tells how the company had to change its designs to adapt to an intricate client specification: "Zoning or sub-division of areas and flexibility were the key issues as the lower floors would be divided into six or possibly eight sections. As the project developed we learnt that we would need to design to allow for each section to be sub-divided again, with each pavilion being split into four."

This posed the problem of ensuring localised control. "At the moment each pavilion is set up as one, however, the design of the system is such that the heating and lighting can be controlled locally within each sub-section," adds Harris. "This was really the difficult part. The problem came from making sure that each sub-section could be metered in line with electricity supply regulation requirements, while maintaining the flexibility required by the client."

Another difficulty arose from the limited depth of the first floor. With all sub-sections requiring individual control a complex network of wires and pipes was necessary. Harris explains: "Careful planning of services, and distribution routes with minimum crossovers ensured that services could be housed in the restricted floor space."

Taking care, controlling glare
As changing the appearance of the facade was not an option careful consideration of solar glare was needed due to the fact that the vast majority of the facade and back wall is glazed. Once again the issue of the structure's listing affected decision-making. Although new double-glazed windows have been installed to meet required U-values the design of the steel frames is in keeping with the listing specification.

Canopies could not be used on the front of the building, and so internal blinds were fitted to regulate entering light. To protect the south-facing rear wall banks of external louvres have been designed to provide additional shading if needed.

Making maximum use of natural light is a key element of the office design. In addition to the glazed front, rear and side walls there is a series of circular rooftop funnels, which provide additional natural lighting to the top floor space. Artificial lighting for the offices is basic and minimalist in design with all luminaires running in rows along exposed galvanised steel trunking. "The lighting has been kept relatively simple in the office – this is in keeping with the architect's wish to maintain a minimalist look throughout," describes Harris. Uplighters and spotlights are mounted at various points to give additional lighting and a decorative effect.

There is currently no mechanical ventilation in place and internal air movement relies upon the use of self-opening windows. With the top floor likely to be let as a call centre air conditioning and cooling will be fitted at a later date as part of the tenant's fit out requirements.