Case Studies

As a company and as individuals we at Taylor Grace Air Conditioning have always looked to evolve & learn. We continue to challenge the industry as we search for improvements, never being satisfied with the easy options. Whether working closely with an independent concept team or formulating our own designs, we continue to search for the optimum solutions, encompassing the diversity of the industry with the strict needs of our client’s. Below is a small example of the various projects we have been involved with over recent months.

Color Company, London

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

Color Company are one of London’s leading printing companies they have an arm of the business called The Wren press by appointment to her majesty the queen they have branches all over the city of London.

We were tasked by Forman Roberts the mechanical consultant’s appointed by Color Company to replace all their existing air conditioning plant within one of London’s most prestigious addresses being No1 Curzon St Mayfair. Their remit was simple, take out all of the existing old R22 VRF air conditioning and replace with new (whilst maintaining trade as Color Company operate a 24 hour service).

Due to the varying comfort conditions required by the occupants there was a need to differentiate between the diversity of their tasks. This meant that design changes were necessary during the fit out phase, as a greater appreciation of their operation was provided as we began the works. Being able to keep abreast of the fluidity of the changes, whilst maintaining the compliance with the fit out programme, allowed us to demonstrate the level of understanding we have towards both our industry and needs of our customer. Working closely with the facilities management company that maintain the building and the clients landlords Taylor grace air conditioning were able to complete the job on cost & in programme, providing defect free handover to a very satisfied client and their staff.

Contract duration
5 Weeks

El Gato Negro, Manchester

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

El Gato Negro, is an award-winning tapas restaurant and bar in an historic converted three storey town house on King Street, in the heart of Manchester city centre.

The project brief was to assist in the relocation of an established, Michelin starred, Tapas restaurant into the heart of Manchester. TGAC were instructed by the Client to work with the design team to produce a fully controlled internal environment, becoming of a high end restaurant.

The complexities of the project revolved around the need to combine all the internal services and plant within the restricted property envelope, whilst maximising the operational space for the customer. Many difficulties were faced in meeting the clients requirements, not least the need to service the multi-use spaces independently from each other and from the show kitchen & basement prepare facility. The combined challenges on this project enable the TGAC team to demonstrate the full range of the knowledge and abilities needed to deliver an effective solution to the most complex of client demands.

Contract duration
14 Weeks

Greene King Brewery & Public House Chain

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

Greene King are one of the UKs leading breweries along with significant business interests covering the Hotels, Public houses & Restaurant industries.

As a company with a substantial background in the leisure industry, TGAC were tasked by Green King to work with their consultants, Silcock Dawson, to install air conditioning within 23 bedrooms at the Riverside hotel, Burton upon Trent.

As part of the refurbishment programme at the hotel our element of the works required us to develop a bespoke method of installing high efficiency VRF air conditioning systems into the bedrooms and function rooms. All of which had to be sympathetically concealed within the fabric of the building, whilst maintaining the character of the property. To achieve this design changes were necessary during the fit out phase, as a greater appreciation of the intricacies of the building began to be uncovered.

The successful outcome of our works at the Riverside led to the same team moving onto the next project which meant repeating the operation at Greene Kings premium hotel, The Greswold Arms, Knowle. This time the challenge increased to 34 bedrooms in the same time frame achieved at the Riverside. Not wanting to hide from the next test, TGAC rose to confront the new task with the professionalism demonstrated previously and achieved a successful outcome to what could easily have been a bridge to far.

Contract duration
6 Weeks each

J. Crew, Regent Street

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

J.Crew Group, Inc., is an American multi-brand, multi-channel, specialty retailer. The company offers an assortment of women's, men's and children's apparel and accessories, including swimwear, outerwear, loungewear, wedding, bags, sweaters, denim, dresses, suiting, Jewellery, and shoes.

In April 2013 we entered into a lengthy tender programme for the installation of the mechanical services for the first store outside of North America for J Crew. This store was to be located in the heart of Regent St and was required to be a statement of intent, for the high end fashion retailer. The project itself had been fully designed but required significant input from the multi-disciplinary contract team to turn the proposal into reality. Following numerous cost submissions and a rigorous post tender interview process, the client team felt that TGAC offered both the professional and personal attributes they had been looking for. A new market sector for J Crew, it was imperative to them that they found a contract team who they could rely on. One that would guide them through a very different construction environment, in one of the most challenging locations in Europe. The project itself encompassed a number of challenges, none more complex than the coordination of the M&E services into the fabric of the building around the bespoke joinery and cabinet work forming the client visual representation. TGAC took the lead role in the coordination, working closely with the construction manager and the interior designers to ensure a seamless interaction between all facets of the scheme. This close relationship proved invaluable in allowing the project to be completed both on time and within budget.

J Crew’s flagship store opened to a flood of media interest and has proved to be a great success. The close interaction between TGAC and the client team continues to this day. We have undertaken the fully design, coordination and installation of the mechanical services in a further four stores in London and their first store in Paris.

Contract duration
16 Weeks

Monki Stores, Bristol

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

H&M have a continuous expansion programme for their Clothing outlets and were looking for a suitably professional mechanical services team who could support their investment in a new premium brand, Monki.

Following various meetings & negotiations with H&M at their head offices in Oxford circus, London, we were offered the opportunity to demonstrate our services to this well-known international retailer.

Our remit was to provide a comprehensive design, coordination & installation of the HVAC & public health systems for their new Monki store in Cabot’s circus shopping centre Bristol. Taking account of the need to work with their existing supply chain whilst complying with a new specification.

Due to the fast moving expansion programme for H&M the time frame provided for design & implementation culminated in a maximum 10 week cycle from conception to completion, with the site period being 7 weeks. As a new member of the supply chain and due to the nature of this project, it was imperative that we focused our energies proactively. Our working methods had to be tailored to integrate seamlessly with the established contract teams, whilst ensuring we met our stage targets and Practical Completion.

It was the flexibility of the whole TGAC team which enabled us to adapt & excel in this new environment. Allowing us to complete the project with 100% clear KPI’s.

We are now looking at extending our working relationship with H&Ms with further new Monki stores and improvement to their specification & system efficiencies.

Contract duration
7 Weeks each

RBJ Simpson, Canning Town

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

RBJ Simpson are a world renowned manufacturer of high quality leather luggage. Their continued success has led to the need to relocate their complete administration and manufacturing facilities.

For their new site, the initial mechanical scheme were designed by the clients preferred Building Services Consultant, with TGAC being tasked with converting those designs into a fully functional installation. During the construction phase, the variable nature of the internal space functionality within the new facility became apparent. The need to differentiate between the varying comfort conditions required by the occupants whilst undertaking their diverse tasks meant that design changes were necessary during the construction phase. Being able to keep abreast of the fluidity of the changes, whilst maintaining the compliance with the construction programme, allowed us to demonstrate the level of understanding we have towards both our industry and needs of our customer. Working closely with some of the market leading manufacturers we were quickly able to respond to the client’s needs and to accommodate the expansion in the knowledge of the team.

This capability & professionalism has lead TGAC to be appointed as the primary mechanical design contractor for the client’s new extension, which has proved necessary to meet the continued growth of RBJ Simpson.

Contract duration
11 Weeks each

Tesla, Knutsford

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

World renowned for its electric supercar credentials, Tesla has carved a name for itself in the alternative fuel vehicle industry as one of the most desirable brands. The launch of its second model, the Model S, and its showroom openings have catapulted Tesla into the limelight.

In October 2014 we were approached to assist in the delivery of Tesla’s first showroom outside of London. The client’s vision was to create a space which focused solely on the Tesla brand and the cutting edge design of the product. The design of the mechanical services focused around creating a neutral internal environment, irrespective of the external ambient conditions. Comfort conditions needed to be at their optimum, but had to be unobtrusive. All aspects of the mechanical services required concealing within the wall structures or above the ceiling finishes, conditioned air had to be delivered to the occupied space without any visual recognition. To add to the complexity of this project the legal & client requirements for regular maintenance of the M&E services focused the design around ease of access to the main items of plant and equipment.

Meeting the tight constraints of the project requirements produced a challenge which required a considerable amount of coordination and negotiation between trades to ensure the best solution was found for the client. TGAC input and guidance was key in allowing the project targets to be met, handing over a fast track project on time and within cost.

Contract duration
5 Weeks

TK Maxx, Dunstable & Huddersfield

Mechanical Service Design & Installation

TK Maxx have a continuous expansion programme for their Clothing & Homeware outlets and were looking for a suitably professional mechanical services team who could support their roll out programme. Following many weeks’ negotiations and presentations we were offered the opportunity to demonstrate our services to this well-known international retailer.

Our remit was to provide a comprehensive design, coordination & installation of the HVAC & public health systems in two brand new stores. Taking account of the need to work with their existing supply chain whilst complying with a new specification.

Due to the fast moving expansion programme for TK Maxx the time frame provided for design & implementation culminated in a maximum 10 week cycle from conception to completion, with the site period being 6 weeks. As a new member of the supply chain and due to the nature of these projects, it was imperative that we focused our energies proactively. Our working methods had to be tailored to integrate seamlessly with the established contract teams, whilst ensuring we met our stage targets and Practical Completion.

It was the fluidity of the whole TGAC team which enabled us to adapt & excel in this new environment. Allowing us to complete both projects with 100% clear KPI’s.

We are now looking at extending our work with TK Maxx to help review their specification and improve their system efficiencies.

Contract duration
6 Weeks each

Toys R Us

Roof Top Air Conditioning Unit Replacement

Toy’s R Us have had a presence in the UK since 1985 when they opened their first 5 stores. Since then they have regularly added to the UK estate and expanded throughout the British Isles.

Back in 1985 the predominant refrigerant used in air conditioning was R22, which has now been phased out due to the changes in climate control legislation. This meant that the air conditioning in a significant number of their older stores was in need of replacement as part of a continued refurbishment programme.

From past experience the client’s anticipated programme showed a phased replacement plan covering a 3 week process for each store, with some disruption to trade. This would have led to a two year cycle of replacement works across the estate. However, following a successful tender procedure and sequencing review TGAC where initially able to reduce the programme time to 2 weeks per store. This process continued for the initial 4 stores, until we were able to demonstrate a further reduction in the programme, through close liaison between the supply chain and client teams. Defining improvements in offsite manufacturing along with greater efficiencies in timing and coordination we were able to condense the programme into 5 days onsite.

This showed a significant benefit to all parties as the disruption to the store was minimal, risk levels were reduced & any variable cost exposure was mitigated. Probably the most noteworthy benefit to the client was the ability to complete the works within a greatly condensed time frame from that originally envisaged, without any noticeable effect to the customer experience.

Contract duration
35 Weeks

Vydrofarm, Coventry

Development of a Vertical Farming System

Vydrofarm is a fully controllable, vertical farm which is completely bespoke to the needs of the end user. Whether growing on an urban rooftop, a poorly-lit warehouse or even a station in space, a Vydrofarm can be developed for effective growing of a variety of crops.

Our role on this project has been to work closely with Hydrogarden in the development of a vertical Farming system capable of allowing fast growth of herb & salad products in remote locations and extreme climates. The need to maintain a close controlled, ambient internal environment within a sealed enclosure led to the design of a bespoke packaged air conditioning system capable of offsetting the challenging & variable external conditions found worldwide. We continue to work with Hydrogarden on evolving and simplifying the systems, in the hope of achieving a cost effective solution to some of the world food production issues.

Taylor Grace Air Conditioning

01676 522 901

hello@taylorgraceac.co.uk

Case Studies