CEF headquarters, Durham, Durham, United Kingdom

When national electrical wholesaler company, City Electrical Factors (CEF), decided to invest in construction of a new 3,500m2 headquarters to provide a more contemporary, fit for purpose and environmentally efficient office environment, the resulting design from architect Faulkner Brown was a very conceptual, fair faced concrete building.

The aesthetic vision for the building was for a seamless, minimalist concrete interior with no service voids in the floors or ceiling. Due to the thermal retention of the large
mass of concrete used to construct the concrete frame building and the high occupancy rates for the busy HQ, the cooling demand for the offices is greater than its heating requirements.

Uponor’s Involvement
The project was constructed by main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, with a concrete frame erected by PCE Ltd. Integrated modular pipe loops for Uponor’s TABS (Thermally Active Building System) were embedded in the soffit as part of the slab structure, enabling the ground, first and second floor ceilings to become the thermally active elements of the
building. Early engagement with the project team ensured that Uponor was able to optimise the design of the TABS, providing maximum performance and avoiding any need for additional heating or cooling to help maintain the fair faced concrete interior aesthetic.

 The Benefits

The Uponor TABS installation has provided a low energy and high performance heating and cooling system with minimal operational costs and maintenance requirements. The system provides an ambient temperature based on external climate conditions, enhancing occupier comfort all year round. Because the TABS solution operates at temperatures close to ambient with minimal energy loading for heating or cooling, the system is able to run on renewable energy sources only, further contributing to its low energy costs and outstanding environmental performance.