Trusted to Build Better

VBS has been supporting clients on projects across London and the South East of England since 1993 – many still collaborating with us to this day.

While the projects range in scale, the attention to detail and commitment to delivering a high-quality outcome remains the same from one to the next.

Explore our case studies using the menu to the left/above.

If you want to talk to us about how we can build better for you, please contact us.

The Hickman, Whitechapel

CLIENT: Ellmer Construction

INVOLVEMENT: To undertake a full M&E CAT A fit out of The Hickman, 2 Whitechapel Rd. The existing building underwent a significant refurbishment, and an extension was added from level 5 to level 7.

SECTOR: Commercial

TYPE: VBS installed the services taking the stage 4 RIBA design and developing the CDP elements of underfloor air conditioning, fire-fighting lobby smoke control system, dry riser systems, fire alarm, BMS and controls, lighting control and security systems.

LOCATION: The Hickman, 2 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1EE

PROJECT VALUE: £4.7M

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mechanical installation
This involved installation of new tanks and booster sets for the CWS, with new gas fired water heaters providing the HWS. New gas supplies were run to the commercial kitchen space and plantroom. LTHW boilers provided back up heating for trench heaters, frost coils and duct mounted heaters.

The main cooling and heating provision was provided by variable refrigerant flow system for the lower ground floors and UPS/Comms Room with condensers mounted on the roof. Local underfloor air conditioning units providing a downflow of heating or cooling to floors 1 to 7. These are served by a roof-based AHU with mechanical heat recovery, supplying air to the CAM units, which distributes through the raised floor, creating a huge plenum, return air is then drawn through an exposed bellmouth.

Electrical installation
The team started liaising with UKPN to oversee the new installation of a 400V substation based in the courtyard. Supplies from the transformer were taken to the switchroom to feed two main LV panels feeding the tenants rising busbars and landlords’ switchboards, incorporating Power Factor Correction and Life Safety systems with automatic transfer switches. Submain’s cabling ran out to individual tenant distribution panels. Small power outlets were provided throughout the building.

A complete LED lighting and control system was installed, including emergency lighting by Organic response, and can be accessed and controlled via the online portal. Security, Access, Induction, Intercom, Intruder, Fire, Refuge, Smoke, Disabled & CCTV systems were all installed and integrated together. A BREEAM approved Energy Metering system was installed to monitor consumption interlinking with the BMS system. VBS also self-delivered a BIM model for the whole building listing all the assets which has now been incorporated into the building wide Hickman app for control.

THE CHALLENGES: A couple of the challenges faced were that ceilings were open, and all services would be exposed. Setting out and coordination became more important than ever as the visible ceiling services had to be aesthetically pleasing. Also, this M&E installation was taking place during Covid, so we had to overcome lockdowns, restrictions, labour, and material shortages.

OUTCOME: VBS lived up their high standards of installation and were unquestionably instrumental in delivering what is, an award winning, visually appealing, tech-enabled, and sustainable workplace – despite very challenging times.

Princes Arcade

CLIENT: Ellmer Construction

INVOLVEMENT: Mechanical and Electrical installations

SECTOR: Commercial

TYPE: Redevelopment of Princes Arcade, Princes House Offices & enabling works to the Basement for future BAFTA works

LOCATION: 36-40 Jermyn Street, 192-196 Piccadilly, and Princes Arcade

PROJECT VALUE: £760,000.00

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: VBS carried out the Mechanical & Electrical works on the refurbishment of Princes Arcade, creating a new double height Retail Entrance and modernising the thoroughfare with all new specialist lighting installations.

This required VBS to carry out M&E enabling works to the basement for the installation of steel frame supports to the new double height entrance.

VBS also carried out Cat A fit outs to 2 x office floors and diversions to enable a new fire escape staircase to be cut in through multiple floors.

THE CHALLENGE: VBS were working across multiple adjoining buildings with shared M&E Services. This caused a number of planning and sequencing demands, with several parties requiring advanced notification of isolations in order for works to progress seamlessly.

OUTCOME: We worked closely with the Main Contractor’s management team throughout the M&E installation works and created excellent rapport with the tenants. Having continued to nurture good relationships post project completion, VBS are still involved with continued works at Princes Arcade.

Pennington Street

CLIENT: JTP Architectural Practice

INVOLVEMENT: VBS were responsible for the full electrical installation works on this project, working alongside another contractor who carried out the mechanical installations.

SECTOR: Commercial

TYPE: Fit out of an East London Grade 2 listed Warehouse into 2 floors and a mezzanine of offices.

LOCATION: Unit 5, The Rum Warehouse, Pennington Street, London E1W 2AP

PROJECT VALUE: £630,000.00

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To carry out all electrical installation works for the fit out of JTP Architects’ new Head Office in East London.

THE CHALLENGE: The Building is a Grade 2 listed warehouse and the brief from the client was to create an ‘exposed services’ look throughout, with the aim of highlighting the impressive internal brickwork. We confronted some complex challenges with routing services around the building and were met with further tests, as the mezzanine floor required HVAC and lighting to be exposed, without introducing large amounts of steel to suspend ductwork and light fittings.

>We overcame this by Installing Gripple Steel Catenary wires across the floor plate and suspending the ductwork, tray work and light fittings from the wires.

OUTCOME: Having coordinated the mechanical & electrical systems to provide a minimalist exposed services installation, we successfully met the clients’ expectation and maximised impact on this striking brick building.

Photography credit: © Craig Auckland/Fotohaus. Moral Rights Asserted.