Unit 01 & 02, Apollo Business Park.

• Site: Apollo Business Park, Paycocke Road, Basildon, SS14 3GH
• Client: AEW UK REIT plc
• Building Type: New-build industrial warehouse with offices
• Gross Internal Area: 5,338 m²
• Assessment Type: EPC Feasibility Study (Dynamic Thermal Modelling)
• Target Rating: EPC A+ (Net Zero)

Eteria was appointed to undertake an EPC Feasibility Study for a new-build industrial warehouse at Apollo Business Park, Basildon for AEW UK REIT. The brief was to identify the most effective combination of fabric, building services and renewable energy to minimise operational carbon and achieve an EPC A+ “Net Zero” rating, supporting future MEES compliance and long-term asset value.

The Project had to demonstrate how a large, unconditioned industrial warehouse could achieve a Net Zero EPC rating while remaining commercially viable and flexible for future occupiers. Although the base building fabric and services were designed to be highly efficient, the challenge was to bridge the final gap between an EPC A rating and an EPC A+ within the budget constraints.

The energy performance also depended on the warehouse remaining unheated, meaning the modelling had to carefully separate the conditioned office and ancillary areas from the warehouse volume. The roof geometry and orientation created additional constraints, requiring the photovoltaic array to be split across south, east and west-facing pitches whilst still delivering sufficient annual generation. The design team has to work really closely to coordinate the various design parameters required to achieve the result.

Social Media Enterprise, London.

• MEP Project Value c. £8M
• 140,000 sq.ft offices
• Client – Leonari
• End user – Social media enterprise
• Mechanical Detailed Design
• Whole Building Cat B fit out

Our engineers worked collaboratively with the Client and wider design team to deliver the Stage 4 coordinated mechanical design. The aim was to create a flexible, adaptable workspace that met all operational and functional requirements while supporting an engaging and efficient working environment for the end users.

The project also required close collaboration between Eteria, the contractor team, Client stakeholders, architects, and other consultants to manage spatial constraints, capture all Client requirements, and deliver the project on time.

Unit 3, Alpha Drive, St. Neots.

• EPC Improvement Plan
• Construction Monitoring Services
• CAT A Refurbishment
• Industrial warehouse with offices
• 18,137 sq ft
• EPC A Achieved

Additionally we were appointed to provide Client side construction monitoring services for the CAT A refurbishment of the warehouse and office accommodation.

The brief involved assessing existing services, identifying energy efficiency measures, and overseeing the refurbishment works to ensure delivery in line with Client requirements and to meet the EPC A rating.

The project also required close collaboration with the contractor to ensure all EPC improvement measures were fully integrated into the refurbishment works, maintaining alignment with the EPC A target.

Unit 3, Alpha Drive, St. Neots.

• Industrial warehouse unit
• Focus on EPC rating improvement to meet regulatory standards
• Upgrade of existing MEP systems for sustainability
• Integration of solar photovoltaic panels and electric heating solutions

Our team acted as the Consulting Engineer for our client, tasked with developing an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) improvement plan for a large industrial warehouse located at Unit 3, Alpha Drive, St. Neots, with the goal of upgrading the building’s EPC from a ‘B’ to an ‘A’ rating.

We conducted a detailed energy performance analysis using IES Virtual Environment software, enabling us to simulate the impact of various energy-saving measures. Collaborating closely with the Client, we explored multiple solutions to enhance the building’s energy efficiency while aligning with the Client’s sustainability goals.

We evaluated options to improve the building’s energy performance, including PV panels and heating upgrades. Proposals ranged from 867m² of PV panels for a B-45 rating to larger installations achieving A-24. Electric heating and options like VRF units were also considered, reaching B-50.

Combining these solutions provided an optimal balance, achieving B-40 while ensuring cost-effectiveness and sustainability, addressing immediate needs and future regulations.

Cavendish Fit Out, 1 Basinghall Avenue, London SW1A 1AA.

• Project type – Conference & Events Facility Fit-Out
• Scope – Full RIBA Stage 4 Mechanical Design
• Systems – VAV ventilation, air conditioning, drainage, central plant
• Programme – Fast-track fit-out

We were appointed to deliver a coordinated RIBA Stage 4 detailed design for a conference and events facility within an existing commercial building. The scope included design and coordination of mechanical services for the tenant fit-out, including VAV ventilation, comfort cooling, public health services, and new ventilation central plant.

The design focused on integrating tenant systems with basebuild services including the provision of a flexible ventilation strategy to accommodate high occupancy levels.

The primary challenge associated with the project was managing ventilation requirements driven by high and fluctuating occupancy densities typical of conference spaces. The nature of the space being a conference facility demanded high amount of fresh air which went well above the basebuild provisions. We worked on a design approach that included various occupancy scenarios that closely mirrored the actual occupancy density for each space during the day.

To address this we created a sophisticated variable air volume (VAV) ventilation strategy incorporating CO₂ sensors throughout the facility to monitor occupancy levels. This enabled the system to dynamically regulate airflow, delivering ventilation precisely where and when it was needed while maintaining operational efficiency.

The project was delivered within a fast-paced fit-out programme, requiring close coordination between design teams, contractors, and landlord stakeholders to integrate new services with existing basebuild infrastructure without disrupting ongoing building operations.

247 Tottenham Court Road, London.

• Large Technology End Client
• 15,000 Sq Ft Cat B Fit Out
• Pre Lease advice
• Design Reviews
• Project Monitoring

The first role was to undertake the initial pre-lease technical due diligence (TDD) survey of the landlord MEP plant and common areas and the Cat A floor plate of the 5th floor.

Following the reporting, Eteria undertook the role of the client’s MEP consultant to review, assess and interrogate the client’s requirements against the base build services provision and the main contractor’s MEP proposals. Construction stage inspections and witnessing with the various MEP trades were also undertaken.

Finally, Eteria also reviewed and commented upon the contractor’s design proposals and O&Ms for the Licence for Alterations application, to allow the client to conclude the tenancy application.

The primary challenge was the fast-track 6-month programme from the initial TDD survey through to witnessing commissioning and snagging, all to ensure heads of terms, technical requirements and the Cat B fit-out was completed on time to prevent void periods that the client would be responsible for.

This required continuous and detailed discussions and coordination with all parties, especially the main contractor and their consultants and onsite trade team. The ability to distil the flow of technical information and the resultant options, as well as ensuring all relevant information was available to the landlord for their review, were important for quick decision-making and keeping the programme on-track.

Unit A Kingshill Business Park, Darlaston Road, Wednesbury.

• Location: Unit A, Kingshill Business Park, Wednesbury, WS10 7SH
• Client: Hines
• Building Type: Industrial warehouse with office accommodation
• Scope: Refurbishment, subdivision into two units, and energy upgrade
• Energy Statement, Overheating Report and MEP Specification

Eteria was appointed to deliver the Energy Statement for the refurbishment of this industrial unit. The Project involved reconfiguring an existing five-bay industrial building into two modern units with associated offices while upgrading the building services to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

The brief included the decarbonisation of heat and improving lighting efficiency as well as integrating renewables (such as PVs) in line with Part L Regulations and the local planning policy.

The Project required delivering major carbon reductions within the constraints of an existing industrial building rather than a new-build. The retained portal-frame structure limited the extent of fabric upgrades and required careful coordination of new services within the existing envelope.

Replacing the gas boiler with air-source heat pumps triggered the relevant Regulations, meaning the team had to identify and justify proportionate consequential improvements that were technically and economically feasible.

The building also needed to be subdivided into two independent units with different servicing strategies, including naturally ventilated offices in Unit 1 and mechanically cooled offices in Unit 2. The energy strategy had to satisfy both Building Regulations and Sandwell Council’s planning policies on decarbonisation in existing buildings.

Two Omega Drive, Irlam, Manchester.

• Project Value £400k
• Existing 60,000 sq. ft industrial warehouse + commercial office space
• New 620kWp Photovoltaic Array
• 500,000kWh Annual energy production
• 103,000 kg/year C02 emissions saved
• 4 Year payback
• Client: Columbia Threadneedle

Eteria were appointed to explore the feasibility of maximising the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) potential of the site. The photovoltaic array was modelled using PV Sol Premium, an approved software for calculating photovoltaic installation generation based upon accurate solar irradiance data.

As part of the study, we evaluated different energy use scenarios including the current energy use, an increase to 125% and 150% of energy use.

The existing roof comprises a curved metal roof structure with mechanical ventilation plant and rooflights incorporated. The photovoltaic array layout had to be coordinated with the existing roof and plant and factored into the overall generation calculations. The proposed photovoltaic panel dimensions were considered when coordinating the array layout to suit the existing roof plant.

Additionally, we provided the client with feedback on the implementation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) across the different scenarios and how this affected the financial results.

Calculation of the PPA revenues must be considered carefully due to the many variable factors involved including costs for maintenance, insurance, management and inflation.

New Collaborative Learning Trust.

• Multiple educational buildings
• Total of 650,000 sq.ft surveyed
• Completed under live/occupied and sensitive settings

Eteria were appointed to undertake visual inspection surveys and reporting for a number of colleges and schools to prepare their Presentation Maintenance Plan (PMP). These documents allow New Collaborative Learning Trust (NCLT) to forecast and manage the anticipated capital expenditure to repair and replace MEP equipment over the upcoming years.

Whilst PMP schedules are primarily used to support requests for funding, they can also provide a holistic view of the building and its systems so that the replacement of equipment can be undertaken in the most economical and efficient manner.

The colleges and schools were still in use by the students and teaching staff. This posed the challenge of moving and surveying discretely and documenting the relevant information, all the while not disrupting classes and the general teaching environment.

In response, the Eteria team were flexible to the situation and coordinates their survey with the school timetables to maximise any times of free access. Furthermore, Eteria ensured that all engineers held DBS Enhanced certificates to allow unescorted surveying, this freeing-up the onsite facilities team to continue their daily work.

Hallmark House, Rowdell Road, Northolt.

• Project: Hallmark House
• Location: Rowdell Road, Northolt, UB5 6AG
• Client: Hollis Global
• Building Type: Industrial warehouse with offices
• Project Type: Cat A refurbishment – full MEP replacement
• Value: c. £2m
• Area: 98,722 SQ FT

Eteria was appointed to deliver the mechanical and electrical design for the Cat A refurbishment of Hallmark House, Northolt. The brief was to strip out all legacy and tenant-installed services and provide a modern, efficient and flexible MEP installation suitable for future tenant fit out.

The works required a full upgrade of the incoming electrical supply to facilitate the conversion of heating to an all electric system.

The Project required a full services replacement within the existing industrial building that had accumulated multiple layers of tenant installed systems over time. Careful coordination was needed to identify which services could be safely retained and refurbished, including drainage, PV and specialist equipment such as the overhead crane. The design had to offer a Cat A specification with flexibility for future tenant fit-out.

Key Interventions included:

• Hybrid VRF heating and cooling to offices
• Mechanical heat recovery ventilation (MVHR) to offices
• Full replacement of main switchboard and distribution boards including new incomer
• High efficiency LED lighting
• EV charging provision