Thie Clag Apartments (Former Nurses Home)

Sustainable MEP Design for Historic Buildings: Transforming a deteriorating historic building into a BREEAM-certified apartment complex with low-carbon heating, ventilation, and energy-efficient electrical systems, ensuring compliance and real-world performance.

This refurbishment project revitalises a former nurses' home, transforming it into a BREEAM-certified apartment complex with 37 one- and two-bedroom units. The challenge lay in upgrading the building’s energy performance and comfort levels while preserving its historic character. March Consultants Ltd provided full MEP design up to RIBA Stage 4, including TM59 overheating risk analysis via a Dynamic Simulation Model (DSM) and SAP compliance calculations. The team continues to act as the client’s representative, overseeing the Stage 5 design, installation, snagging, commissioning, and final approval.

A key aspect of the MEP strategy was the integration of domestic hot water heat pumps, which eliminated the need for external heat pump units. This approach significantly reduced the visual impact on the building’s façade, helping to maintain its historic significance while improving energy efficiency. Combined with direct electric space heating using LOT20-compliant panel heaters, the solution provided a sustainable and low-maintenance system that suited the building’s constraints.

Careful consideration was also given to ventilation, where a natural ventilation strategy was developed to minimise the impact on the building envelope. By conducting a detailed TM59 analysis within a Dynamic Simulation Model, March Consultants Ltd ensured that overheating risks were mitigated while reducing reliance on mechanical cooling. Where required, heat recovery ventilation systems were introduced to maintain indoor air quality and further improve energy efficiency.

Given the constraints of the existing structure, particularly its low ceiling heights, service distribution required precise coordination with the architect. This led to the development of an architectural bulkhead design, allowing MEP systems to be neatly integrated without compromising headroom in the apartments. The above-ground drainage strategy was also carefully planned, ensuring efficient wastewater management while remaining fully accessible for maintenance.

The fabric specification was led by a detailed heat loss analysis and compliance check calculations, ensuring the thermal performance of the building envelope permitted the efficient operation of electric panel heaters. This approach reduced overall heating demand while aligning with Part L compliance.

Security and life safety systems were designed to meet modern standards while being sympathetically integrated into the building’s structure. A fully compliant fire alarm system was implemented alongside a smoke ventilation strategy, ensuring occupant safety. A domestic sprinkler system was also incorporated, offering additional fire protection without detracting from the aesthetic of the refurbished interiors.

Electrical systems were carefully designed to support power distribution, IT infrastructure, and access control requirements. Bespoke lighting solutions balanced functionality with visual appeal, incorporating both base and feature lighting with intelligent control strategies. To enhance the project’s sustainability credentials, a solar photovoltaic system was installed, further reducing reliance on grid electricity.

This project demonstrates March Consultants Ltd’s expertise in delivering high-performance building services within historically sensitive refurbishments. Through a combination of meticulous planning, advanced simulation techniques, and close collaboration with the design team, the scheme successfully balances heritage preservation with modern energy efficiency.

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Title: Westmoreland Road Apartments / Former Nurses Home

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Client: Manx Development Corporation

Architect: Ellis Williams Architects

Structural Engineer: BB Consulting Engineers

Quantity Surveyor: Bell Burton Associates

Main Contractor: NK Construction

The Spireworks & Tesco Express

MEP Coordination in a Structurally Challenging Mixed-Use Scheme: Aligning MEP services with extensive structural engineering challenges, including plant relocation and podium deck integration, while maintaining full operational continuity for Tesco.

The Tesco Express & The Spireworks project involved refurbishing an existing Tesco Express store and constructing three storeys of student accommodation above it. This presented significant challenges, as removing the Tesco roof, which housed essential plant, required careful relocation or redesign of key systems. Additionally, the new podium deck structure had to be integrated within the MEP strategy, demanding close collaboration with the structural engineer, architect, and contractor to ensure seamless coordination of services while maintaining Tesco’s full operation.

March Consultants Ltd was responsible for the full MEP design for Tesco and developed a performance specification for the student accommodation. A key challenge was ensuring Tesco remained fully operational throughout the works while integrating the new development’s structural and service requirements without disruption.

The MEP strategy for the student accommodation incorporated a highly efficient air-to-water heat pump system alongside a gas-fired boiler, providing a reliable and sustainable hot water supply. Space heating demand was minimised due to the high thermal performance of the building fabric, allowing for the use of electric panel heaters with LOT20-compliant controls to meet the remaining heating requirement efficiently.

The Tesco store was fully electrified, with space heating and cooling delivered via a VRF air-to-air heat pump system, ensuring energy efficiency and responsive climate control. Domestic hot water was provided through point-of-use electric water heaters, reducing distribution losses and minimising legionella maintenance requirements.

Balanced mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery were installed in both demises, recovering otherwise wasted energy while ensuring a constant supply of fresh air. In the student accommodation, these systems were integrated with kitchen cooker hoods, offering a discreet and efficient solution.

Given the presence of a commercial kitchen within Tesco, a BESA DW172 and TR19-compliant ventilation system was designed to ensure effective extraction and maintain air quality, adhering to industry best practices.

The design of the above-ground foul drainage system required careful consideration, as student accommodation drainage needed to be routed through the podium deck structure to perimeter service zones. This approach maintained complete separation between the student and Tesco demises while also ensuring accessibility for maintenance, in compliance with Approved Document Part H.

Security and accessibility were critical design factors across the scheme, with a comprehensive door access and security system integrated into the development. Electrical infrastructure was meticulously planned to support power distribution, IT networks, and fire alarm systems, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. Bespoke lighting solutions combined practical base lighting with feature lighting and specialist controls to enhance both functionality and aesthetics.

To support the project’s sustainability objectives, a solar photovoltaic system was installed to generate renewable energy and offset electricity consumption. Additionally, an advanced building management and monitoring system was implemented, allowing for efficient operation and optimisation of all MEP systems.

A crucial element of the project was the successful collaboration with Tesco’s commissioning team, ensuring that all MEP systems were brought online in strict accordance with their operational schedule. This required detailed planning, rigorous testing, and a phased commissioning strategy to integrate new and existing systems without disrupting store operations.

This project demonstrated March Consultants Ltd’s expertise in overcoming complex engineering challenges, successfully integrating retail and residential functions within a constrained urban environment while working closely with the wider design and construction team to ensure seamless service coordination.

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Title: Tesco Express / The Spireworks

Location: Cowley Road, Oxford

Client: Locate Developments

Architect: ICA

Structural Engineer: Will Rudd

Quantity Surveyor: Gardiner & Theobald

Henry Bloom Noble Primary School

Sustainable MEP Design Enhancing Learning at Henry Bloom Noble High School

Delivering a comfortable, low-energy learning environment required a carefully considered MEP strategy that balanced efficiency, sustainability, and real-world usability. A key element was the integration of passive ventilation systems, including Windcatcher roof terminals, which harness natural airflow and the stack effect to minimise reliance on mechanical ventilation. Detailed thermal comfort analysis demonstrated that mechanical cooling was unnecessary, ensuring compliance with Building Bulletin 101 (BB101) while improving indoor air quality, supporting student concentration, and reducing airborne transmission risks. To assist staff in managing ventilation effectively, a CO₂ monitoring system with a traffic light indicator was incorporated, providing clear guidance on when windows should be opened—avoiding unnecessary heat loss in cooler months.

To meet the school’s heating demands, we designed a bivalent system combining air source heat pumps with gas boilers, providing efficient space heating and hot water while reducing carbon emissions. High-efficiency LED lighting was installed throughout, featuring scene-setting controls to allow teachers to tailor lighting levels for different activities, enhancing both comfort and learning outcomes. The data infrastructure was carefully designed to support smart teaching technologies, ensuring seamless integration of interactive whiteboards and other digital learning tools.

A Building Management System (BMS) was implemented not only to control HVAC and lighting but also to collect data for ongoing system optimisation. This aligned with a Soft Landings handover approach, working closely with the government’s estates team to fine-tune system performance based on real-world use. The school’s BREEAM certification reflects the high standards achieved in sustainability, energy efficiency, and operational performance, ensuring a future-proofed, low-carbon learning environment. This project is a key investment in the local community, delivering a high-performance school that provides a healthy and adaptable space for students and staff alike.

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Title: Henry Bloom Noble High School

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Client: Isle of Man Government

Architect: Savage & Chadwick

Structural Engineer: Curtins

PQS: Bell Burton Associates