Sustainably protecting the iconic British Film Institute

Drawing on our skills to decarbonise BFI’s listed buildings on the Thames

Various works to decarbonise this charity’s listed Thames-side buildings included installing a heat recovery system, improving the movement of air within the foyers, and replacing the old reciprocating chillers and cooling towers with high efficiency air cooled units.

Located next to Waterloo Bridge on London’s Southbank, the BFI is a charitable organisation that preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom.

Key challenges:

• Access issues as the services are suspended in a void underneath Waterloo Bridge
• The iconic building was riddled with asbestos, causing a hazardous working environment
• The BFI is a live environment during the daytime and early evening

Solutions:

• Upgraded the building BMS system to carefully control systems and help reduce carbon output
• Designed and installed a heat recovery system including electric heat pumps to replace the old gas fired boilers and reduce the charity’s reliance on gas
• The team worked nights to ensure the working buildings could remain open to the public during the day
• An experienced team overcame various challenges including working in tight conditions under the bridge

Products and Services Supplied: Air handling units, Desiccant dryers, Chillers, Heat pumps, BMS

Sector specialism: Building Services