103 Colmore Row in the heart of Birmingham’s business district is the city’s tallest office building, and “one of the cleanest and greenest”, achieving BREEAM Excellent.
Gilberts
Built by BAM Construct UK, the 21,000+m2 building uses 100% renewable energy for its electricity, with air conditioning & heating throughout the 26-storey tower being provided via a four pipe fancoil system.
Leading independent air movement specialist Gilberts worked closely with BAM and global engineering and consulting firm Arup to refine the specification of the grilles and diffusers in line with the requirement to achieve ventilation of 12l/person and a constant 22°C(±2°) throughout the Grade A offices.
To attain the desired air distribution patterns, the air is circulated predominantly through Gilberts’ GSL linear slot diffusers.
The GSLs ventilate almost 90% of the 30 levels including lower ground and basement. Fitted into bulkheads around the perimeter of each office floor, the slot diffusers provide supply and extract of air and ensure a consistent and constant view through the floor to ceiling glazing. The GSLs were also installed into plank ceiling tiles to deliver air across the 743- 1115m2 floor plates on each level.
Either three or four slots was specified depending on location of the diffuser, to precisely balance the required airflow to keep the glazing clear of possible condensation and sufficient draught-free ventilation for the occupants across the office area.
The slot diffusers are complimented where required- such as break-out areas, the business lounge, café and restrooms- with GECA eggcrate ceiling grilles, GDC-A circular face swirl diffusers and SX-100 air valves. The combination delivers the required airflow levels without draughts, delivering high performance with rapid mixing and entrainment.
David Pudge, Building Services Project Manager- Midlands for BAM Construct, commented, “The aim with 103 Colmore Row was to create a landmark building that is one of the cleanest and greenest in the city, balanced alongside providing an agile working environment. Gilberts gave us best value in meeting those objectives, supporting us to select the most appropriate solutions for each area.”
Gilberts is recognised as the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist, offering grilles, louvres, and diffusers for natural, hybrid and mechanical ventilation. Founded 60 years ago and still family-owned and directed, Gilberts Blackpool is unique in its ability to develop components, be it ‘mainstream’ or bespoke- entirely in-house, from initial design through tooling, production, testing and supply, at its 8825m2 manufacturing facility. Its state of the art test centre, designed and built in-house, is one of the most technically advanced in the country.
