Gilberts goes Uber
UK independent air movement specialist, Gilberts, developed an advanced draught-free solution for the refurbishment of Uber’s European Centre of Excellence in Limerick.
The building makes a lot of use of open-plan space, and the architects Healy & Partners have designed a contemporary workplace that included removing the ceilings and creating symetrical exposed services in the offices, meeting rooms and break-out areas.
Consulting engineers Metsec and supplier Keane Environmental worked to develop a ventilation strategy that would ensure adequate airflow with a comfortable, draught-free internal environment, and turned to Gilberts to deliver the solution.
In response to the design requirements, 160 of Gilberts’ circular GSFE fixed swirl diffusers, specially fitted with coanda plates, have been fitted throughout the four-storey building.
The diffusers are a patented design, using radial vanes behind a perforated face to allow the introduction of high levels of air horizontally across the ceiling with rapid entrainment and intermixing.
Keane Environmental’s Patrick Keane, says: “There is a fashion to leave the services exposed in commercial developments, but it brings practical issues regarding air movement and comfort conditions.”
“Most grilles are designed and built to operate within a ceiling, so an alternative strategy had to be found. Gilberts’ diffuser was the closest in its core design to meeting our needs, with its contemporary design and horizontal airflow.”
Gilberts has one of the most technically advanced in-house test centres in the country at its 90,000sq ft Blackpool headquarters.
