Underfloor air conditioning provides flexibility for Centrica Energy headquarters
Underfloor air conditioning based on the AET Flexible Space approach is proving a flexible and modular approach for heating and cooling the Aberdeen headquarters of Centric Energy, a leading oil and gas company in the UK. The £45 million IQ building provides 13 766 m2 of office accommodation. It has a 4-storey atrium and double-height atrium with large, flexible floor plates.
AET Flexible Space was specified by consultant KJ Tait to provide comfort cooling for Centrica in the upper three floors of the building, with the ability to easily adapt and reconfigure to future changes being a key factor.
The system uses the plenum beneath a raised floor as the ventilation duct, eliminating the need for ductwork in the ceiling. Zonal downflow units (CAM) supply treated conditioned air into the plenum, which is then introduced into the workspace via fan terminal units (Fantile) recessed in the floor. Fantiles replace standard 600 mm-square floor tiles and are interchangeable and easily relocated.
20 CAM-C downflow units and 230 TU4 Fantiles were installed to serve 5500 m2 over the three floors.
