Flexibility of Comfort Zone underfloor heating is fully exploited in church conversion

Underfloor heating for the conversion of a former church and associated convent bindings in Bexhill-on-Sea is providing a space-saving approach for some 200 apartments. The sympathetic development by Allum Developers retains many of the original architectural features, especially in the old chapel block. The Comfort Zone systems have already been installed in 24 apartments of St James’s Place, and all three types of Comfort Zone technique have been utilised. In the chapel block, the oldest part of the Grade 2 listed site, eight 2-bedroom apartments are heated by underfloor systems served by the company’s own modulating electric boilers. The ground floor is solid. On the upper storey, both plated and floating-floor techniques have been used according to the local floor construction The original worship area is given over to communal use — its height and space providing for a range of future possibilities, including a gym. 16 luxury apartments, ranging in size from three bedrooms to a studio unit, have been created in the former nuns’ quarters. Comfort and safety are even more important in this part of the development, known as St James’s House, which has been taken over by a specialist provider of retirement homes. The systems were installed by Steve Garner & Plumbing of Sussex.