The scheme was the biggest renovation project that the Guildhall has seen in its 190 year history, working closely with strategic partners and local regional and national organisations including DCRP, Plymouth City Council and Big Lottery to preserve the building’s heritage and significance within the community
The proposal involved the refurbishment, renovation and alteration of the existing Grade 1 listed building in Devonport, Plymouth to turn it into a thriving creative social enterprise hub for the Devonport community and creative industries across the region
The building was reconfigured to create office space for tenants, hotdesking space, event space available for hire, a café and an outdoor marketplace.
SDS carried out the detailed mechanical design element of the renovation along with interim site work quality inspections. The full scheme was designed to meet the requirements of the Conservation Officer with full agreement of pipework, ductwork, flue and containment runs to ensure the final arrangement did not compromise any elements of historic interest.
The services distribution routing had to be developed in a manner sympathetic with the style and nature of the construction and acceptable to the Conservation Officer, requiring careful selection of system components and methods of installation
The building was engineered to reduce summertime overheating by thermal modelling with introduction of natural ventilation openings and repair to original historical provision
We were active participants in design team meetings and conservation, sustainability, accessibility, value and risk workshops and assisted in establishing the brief, and communicated the finally agreed solutions in a clear and coherent manner within a detailed set of tender documents for constructor implementation.