Villiers Square - Travelodge

Sustainable All-Electric Hotel MEP Design: A high-performance, all-electric MEP strategy incorporating VRF heat pumps, solar PV, and smart building management systems to enhance energy efficiency and guest comfort while reducing carbon emissions.

Adjacent to the commercial block at Villiers Square, this new Travelodge is set to provide visitors with comfortable, affordable accommodation in the heart of the Isle of Man. Designed with both guest experience and sustainability in mind, the hotel will offer easy access to local amenities and a shared outdoor space that connects it to the wider development.

March Consultants Ltd is developing the MEP strategy to ensure high energy efficiency while maintaining a reliable, cost-effective operation. A VRF heat pump system will provide zoned heating and cooling, allowing individual rooms to be conditioned based on occupancy, reducing energy waste while enhancing comfort. The lighting strategy will integrate LED technology with intelligent controls, optimising energy use while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

The all-electric infrastructure will eliminate reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with evolving sustainability regulations and reducing long-term operational costs. A sophisticated Building Management System (BMS) will continuously monitor and optimise heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting, ensuring smooth operation with minimal energy waste. Further supporting the project’s sustainability goals, a rooftop solar PV system will contribute renewable energy to the hotel's electrical demand, reducing grid dependency and lowering carbon emissions.

The Villiers Square Travelodge represents a modern, energy-efficient addition to the Isle of Man’s hospitality sector. By incorporating low-carbon technologies and intelligent building systems, the development aims to demonstrate how sustainability and operational efficiency can go hand in hand, delivering long-term benefits for both the operator and guests.

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Title: Villiers Square - Travelodge

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Client: Tevir Group

Architect: 56Three

Structural Engineer: Structura

PQS: Bell Burton Associates

Fire Engineer: Innovation Fire Engineering

Villiers Square - Marker & Promenade Buildings

BREEAM-Certified, Future-Ready Commercial MEP Design: Delivering flexible commercial and retail space with a fully electric, low-carbon MEP strategy designed to meet BREEAM certification. Featuring intelligent building systems, solar PV integration, and optimised HVAC solutions, the development prioritises sustainability, energy efficiency, and long-term adaptability.

The Villiers Square Marker and Promenade Buildings will introduce flexible commercial and retail space to the heart of the Isle of Man. Designed to create a vibrant, energy-efficient business hub, these two new blocks will share a landscaped outdoor space with the adjoining Travelodge, providing a welcoming communal area for tenants, visitors, and the wider community.

March Consultants Ltd is delivering an eco-friendly, low-carbon MEP strategy that balances sustainability with practical operational needs. A VRF heat pump system will provide efficient heating and cooling, allowing each unit to have independent climate control while minimising energy consumption. High-efficiency LED lighting with smart controls will enhance lighting quality while reducing running costs.

A sophisticated Building Management System (BMS) will monitor and optimise HVAC, lighting, and other building services in real time, ensuring smooth operation under landlord management. The system is designed for seamless handover, enabling tenants to take control of their own energy usage upon occupation. The all-electric infrastructure removes reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with the Isle of Man’s decarbonisation goals while improving long-term energy efficiency. Solar PV panels will further contribute to the building’s sustainability strategy, generating renewable electricity to offset operational energy demand.

Villiers Square Marker and Promenade Buildings will set a new standard for modern commercial development on the Isle of Man. With an adaptable design that prioritises comfort, efficiency, and environmental responsibility, the scheme offers future-ready workspaces for businesses looking to operate in a sustainable, low-carbon environment.

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Title: Villiers Square - Marker & Promenade Buildings

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Client: Tevir Group

Architect: 56Three

Structural Engineer: Structura

PQS: Bell Burton Associates

Fire Engineer: Innovation Fire Engineering

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

Premier Inn, Douglas

High-Efficiency Hotel MEP Design Exceeding Part L by 30%: A meticulously coordinated MEP strategy featuring VRF heat pumps, DW172/TR19-compliant kitchen ventilation, and BMS-driven energy optimisation, delivered under tight programme constraints while maintaining future maintenance flexibility.

This new-build 85-bedroom Premier Inn, complete with a restaurant and bar, was developed for Whitbread PLC with a strong focus on sustainability, efficiency, and long-term operational resilience. Designed to achieve BREEAM Very Good, the project exceeded the Part L Target Emissions Rate by over 30%, demonstrating a commitment to low-carbon design.

March Consultants Ltd provided full MEP design, cost control services, and site supervision, ensuring that all systems aligned with Whitbread’s stringent operational and future maintenance requirements. The project required close collaboration with Whitbread’s consultant team to meet an exceptionally tight and immovable construction programme while maintaining the highest design and compliance standards. Despite significant site constraints, the MEP strategy was carefully engineered to maximise serviceability and long-term reliability.

The heating and cooling strategy incorporated a high-efficiency VRF heat pump system, providing zoned climate control throughout the hotel. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) was integrated to enhance energy efficiency while maintaining optimal indoor air quality. The commercial kitchen design was developed in strict accordance with DW172 and TR19 standards, ensuring compliance with best practices for ventilation, air quality, and fire safety.

A Trend Building Management System (BMS) was implemented to oversee HVAC and lighting control, optimising energy use while streamlining ongoing maintenance. On-site renewable energy generation was incorporated through a solar PV system, contributing to the hotel's sustainability targets. Electrical systems were designed to accommodate TV/SAT installations, security systems, IT infrastructure, lighting, and a fully compliant fire alarm system.

Acoustic performance was a key design consideration, requiring close collaboration with the project’s acoustician to ensure strict adherence to Whitbread’s exacting noise criteria. Given the constraints of the site, achieving this level of acoustic performance was particularly challenging, but solutions were carefully integrated to maintain guest comfort without compromising space efficiency or system functionality.

By delivering a highly coordinated and technically refined MEP strategy, March Consultants Ltd played a crucial role in ensuring the successful completion of this Premier Inn, balancing programme constraints, long-term maintenance strategies, and site limitations while meeting Whitbread’s high standards for energy efficiency, acoustic performance, and operational resilience.

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Title: Premier Inn, Douglas

Location: Douglas, Isle of Man

Client: Whitbread PLC

Architect: Dandara Limited

Structural Engineer: Dandara Limited

PQS: Dandara Limited

Hillside House

Hillside House, Sheffield, is a newly constructed 16-storey student accommodation block comprising 250 beds, with a construction value of £19 million. The building features high-specification communal facilities, a reception area, and staff offices.

A detailed thermal comfort analysis was carried out during the early design stages in collaboration with the architect. This informed a natural ventilation strategy with precisely calculated window opening areas, while also complying with safety standards. To address heat gains from heating system pipework, mechanical ventilation was incorporated in the communal corridors. In certain combined lounge, kitchen, and dining spaces, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and a summer bypass was installed to offset equipment-related heat gains.

Hot water generation is provided by a bivalent gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) system and gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. Owing to the building’s excellent thermal performance and consequent low heat losses, space heating is supplied via electric panel heaters. Communal areas are equipped with fast-acting forced-air heating and cooling, delivered by VRF heat pumps, ensuring highly efficient temperature control throughout the development.

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Title: Hillside House

Location: 86 Winter Street, Sheffield

Client: CA Ventures

Architect: 56Three

Structural Engineer: Etive Consulting