05 September 2024
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CIAT has supplied three air handling units (AHUs) for a new performing arts centre in the Chiltern Hills.
Garsington Studios, part of Garsington Opera, is a multi-purpose venue for rehearsals, recordings, filming, events and meetings. The project was committed to renewable energy sources but the greenfield site and unpredictable weather conditions made logistics and on-site work difficult, impacting material delivery and scheduling. To mitigate these challenges, CIAT's team proactively managed the project in phases to ensure the installation stayed on track. The CLIMACIAT AIRACCESS AHUs were delivered and installed before the building's walls were constructed.
The acoustic and thermal requirements demand precise control over noise levels and temperatures across multiple rooms, including recording studios and the main auditorium. These concerns were addressed with acoustically lined plenums and ducting, meeting stringent noise ratings and minimising ventilation noise to create an optimal acoustic environment for performances and recordings.
“CIAT's AHUs were selected for their competitive pricing, fast lead times and advanced features,” said Chris Harrington, Project Manager at mechanical design and build contractors Arcade UK. “Their built-in noise attenuation ensures minimal disruption during rehearsals by achieving a supply air noise level of 58 dBA and enabling a Noise Rating standard of 15 (NR15).”
The system's energy efficiency is enhanced by the addition of a thermal wheel for heat recovery, together with a free cooling mode using untreated outdoor air.
