One of Europe’s largest spa operators has opened its doors in the UK, with air quality delivered by Gilberts.
Plans to convert the Grade 1 listed Buxton Crescent were originally conceived 16 years ago. Main contractor Vinci UK began serious work on site in 2016, restoring the building envelope, merging two buildings into one, and adding a roof top swimming pool extension to the Georgian property. Engineering services were provided by Imtech, who in turn utilised the expertise of Gilberts to deliver the ventilation element for the 81-bedroom hotel.
Imtech mechanical engineer Peter Charles observed:
“We expected from the outset that there would be a lot of challenges with such a complex conversion. Gilberts is a trusted supplier, so why change, particularly on such a complex project? We knew Gilberts could and would deliver the high levels of service we needed.”
Gilberts had to develop and supply appropriate solutions to ensure adequate supply and extract to accommodate the diverse requirements of the main hotel reception, each of the bedrooms, the pool areas and plant.
The main reception features GSL slot diffusers, with a combination of 18no three-slots each a metre long complimenting 4no six-slot continuous runs, up to 17m long with plaster-in frames to blend into the internal architecture.
The first floor swimming pool’s ventilation needs have been met via 14no DI drum louvres, delivering high air volumes with a long throw and powerful stream of air to deal with the high levels of moisture.
The smaller relaxation pool is ventilated via just two JN jet nozzles, each 400mm diameter, and the ladies pool achieves a comfortable air quality via 4no HHV heavy duty double deflection grilles.
Gilberts fully coated and removed any mild steel components from the aluminium pool grilles to ensure longevity in the aggressive chlorinated environment.
In the bedrooms, a single supply and single extract double deflection grille with opposed blade dampers in each ceiling provided individually adjustable ventilation.
Behind the scenes, numerous FB700 door transfer grilles and NV (non vision) were installed to maintain fire compartments, with FBL60 (one hour intumescent) fire blocks for optimum safety.
On the roof, 3no penthouses, ranging from 1m x 1.5 to 6m x 1m, and each RAL coated to 7047, provide discreet, passive ventilation to the rooftop plant.
Buxton Crescent is the latest in Gilberts’ portfolio of ventilation for luxury heritage hospitality venues. In the past 12 months it has also supplied the supply and extract solutions for Carden Park Spa and Grantley Hall, among others.
Its own heritage spans some six decades, and is founded on expert delivery of standard and bespoke answers to clients’ ventilation needs, which can be validated by a raft of in-house capabilities including virtual modelling and actual testing.