London School of Economics Student Accommodation

This project involved restoring a listed building built in 1878 as the Hotel Victoria, occupied by the MOD for the last 60 years, retaining original features. The conversion was split into two stages, the first involved the creation of more than 250-bed student accommodation for LSE and the second objective was to create a Club Quarters hotel with over 200 bedrooms.

Integral Group provided full mechanical, electrical, and public health design, and energy and sustainability strategies and options appraisals. The challenge was to integrate modern services in a commercially viable way. Across all project elements, the client was keen to reduce energy wastage and future operating costs while keeping the installation cost on budget. Existing air-conditioning and ventilation systems were carefully reviewed and upgraded with modern technology as part of the new scheme.

This approach delivered a saving in embodied energy and installation cost. Integral Group’s design scheme also delivered several simple and practical energy reduction measures. These included improved air tightness, use of the Whitehall district heating system, and effective, easy-to-use control systems throughout the building. These measures helped to deliver energy usage well below the benchmark for a hotel of this size.

Innovative solutions were developed in order to retain original features and install a mix of the pod and on-site fabricated bathrooms and risers to maximize the lettable area. This development highlights Integral Group’s practical approach to energy and sustainability, the outcome being an exemplary energy-performing building.

Due to its nature and working with a grade 2* listed interior, the location, routing, and distribution of services were key to the operational success of the project. It was necessary to work within tight environmental constraints due to the site’s restrictions. Still, by working with the Victorian ventilation design principles, a neat solution has been provided to give comfortable conditions with the least visual impact on the superb interior spaces and only operates when required.