Fitting air handling units –
when every centimetre counts

EQ Building | Bristol

An attractive and prominent site in Bristol city centre is home to the brand-new EQ building. As one of Bristol’s largest office buildings, it serves as a modern workplace for 2,000 people. Sustainability and energy-efficient operations were highlighted points in the specification of requirements for the development.

We at IV Produkt actively participated in the development of this project. In addition to the delivery of eleven Envistar Flex air handling units, two with EcoCooler cooling units, and seven with ThermoCooler HP integrated reversible heat pumps, we also shared our knowledge surrounding energy-efficient ventilation, surface efficiency and cost optimisation

Reduced installation costs

It was a very tight building plot with little room for manoeuvre, which meant that the construction and installation processes had to be designed down to the centimetre. Thanks to the compact ThermoCooler HP units, the consultant and installers were able to reduce the size of the installations while also bringing down the headline installation cost and freeing up more space for the client to make available to its tenants. More of the roof area can be used as a social space instead of being used as a base for banks of external air source heat pumps.

The EQ building is in a cramped location, which meant there were strict requirements in place when it came to the delivery and installation of the air handling units. There is very little distance between EQ and its neighbours.

 
The majority of the units are located in a rooftop plant enclosure which is then covered by solar cells.

Great indoor climate with the reversible heat pump ThermoCooler HP

Eleven air handling units create a great, energy-efficient indoor climate spanning an area of 18,500 m². The development owner’s goal is to ensure well-being and productivity for all who work among the 8 storeys at EQ.

Take a 360° tour of the ground floor here

The Results

• A super-modern office building on an attractive plot in Bristol city centre.
• The confined site meant there was a need for compact air handling units.
• The requirement for high levels of energy efficiency and a great indoor environment meant that ThermoCooler HP reversible heat pump units and 100% fresh air were the optimum choice.
• A focus on sustainability, including solar cells on the roof, commuter bicycle storage, EV charging points, and rainwater collection and reuse.
• It is the first new office building in Bristol to be net zero carbon in operation.
• The building is certified as BREEAM Outstanding – which is the highest possible grade offered by the internationally-recognised environmental certification system.

Main contractor: BAM Construction

Architect: Aukett Swanke

MEP Consultant: Buro Happold

Contractor’s consultant: Hydrock