Private Gym
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To design, construct and install multiple systems to a private purpose-built 75 square-metre gym located in Buckinghamshire.
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EV charging
Three-phase power and lighting
LED accent lighting
Perimeter lighting and controls
Network and wi-fi
Air conditioning with concealed and on-show ducting
Audio/visual setup with remote screen and wireless audio/video
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Tesla
Hager
Aurora Lighting
Cisco
Meraki
Meanwell
Varilight Steinel
Astro
Sonos
Velux
Daikin
This project required key attention to detail right from start to finish. This high-end client expected a meticulous finish, and required all systems to work seamlessly, and remotely.
As the main contractor for all cabled services, we were to design, supply, and install all systems in a new purpose-built gym for the personal use of the client and his family.
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Electrical
The electricity to the property was upgraded from a single-phase to a three-phase supply. This was due to the additional loads required on the property, but also meant savings thanks to the efficiencies of the three-phase supply.
We needed to design a system that would suit the needs of the project, also considering other works going on at the property (building works to erect outdoor kitchen, pergolas, and patio areas), and allowing for possible future works.
We employed a three-phase busbar system, with three distribution boards added to the property. This also allowed for future expansion if needed. With two distribution boards feeding the outdoor kitchen and pergolas, as well as existing air conditioning units and perimeter lighting; the third distribution board was to the gym itself.
The electrical system within the gym comprised of multiple circuits covering power and lighting. Hager was the obvious choice of brand for the switchgear, as this kept in line with the existing switchgear in the main dwelling, as well as offering a vast range of three-phase products.
The client was keen to ensure adequate electric vehicle charging points for the family cars as well as guests and visitors. A total of four Tesla chargers were installed around the building and adjacent garages
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Connectivity
Mobile network signals would always be a problem for this project, as the property sits among large amounts of greenbelt land, woodland, and poorly connected utilities.
We were fortunate to work with this client the year before when fibre was installed to the property, when we were contracted in an emergency to assist the installation to the basement. Working alongside Openreach engineers, we established a route from entry point to the comms room in the basement, a route over 40m. Naturally we kept the entire fibre run completely concealed, and the entire installation was completed in one day.
Having established a route to the comms room within the property, we laid ductwork in the ground from the main dwelling to the gym, allowing us to run Cat6 cables between the buildings. This allowed us to install networking equipment to provide ethernet and wireless connectivity.
We were also able to run additional cabling for CCTV, fire detection and intruder alarm services. This allowed the two buildings to be connected as a single system, making the management of safety and security much simpler and more efficient.
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Audio/Video
As in most gyms, audio visuals play a key part in creating the right atmosphere for users. This project was no different.
With high vaulted ceilings along the entire 10m length of the building and dense material finishes specified by the designer, it was obvious we needed a robust solution that would be capable of delivering quality and quantity.
For the speakers, we used five 8-inch Bower & Wilkins in-ceiling speakers. With matt white grilles supplied as standard, we left them as is to create a neat contrast against the black ceiling.
For power, we used two Sonos AMPs. With wireless connectivity, HDMI, Apple AirPlay 2, and app control, this was an obvious choice to drive any audio stream. A Sonos wireless active subwoofer was added to enhance the sound and increase depth.
Video was delivered by a BenQ short throw laser projector with WUXGA resolution, suspended on a ceiling mount. To view, a 120-inch motorised projector screen operates automatically when in use
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Air Conditioning
Probably the most controversial part of the project, which would ultimately become the biggest design element of the entire project.
The system offered by the gym design company, was a single cassette unit mounted at one end of the vaulted ceilings. The vaulted ceilings had three box steel metal trusses equally spaced to create an industrial look. A high bay light was to be in between the trusses in three of the four sections, with the fourth section housing the cassette unit.
From a performance perspective, the cassette unit would have struggled to evenly distribute heating or cooling over the entire floorspace. Additionally, the cassette would be directly over the intended weights machine area, negatively impacting potential airflow patterns. Aesthetically, cassette units bring little to no value, and having no bay light in this fourth section would have made the lighting scheme incomplete.
We couldn’t accept the suggested solution simply because we believed it fell short of the rest of the design; what the client’s expectations were; and most of all, performance.
We decided a completely bespoke ducted system would offer a far better solution. We designed a system that not only would perform its function well, but would also look perfectly at home in this modern industrial-styled gym.
Our design was to conceal a ducted unit within a flat roof section, purpose-made, to allow recessing of the unit. The ceiling would have two near-invisible access panels to allow servicing and maintenance, and once closed, you would never know there was a unit within the ceiling.
For airflow, we ducted the unit with three 150mm ducts within the rafters of the flat roof (warm deck) and up the pitched roof, all concealed within the ceiling. Once near the ridge, the three ducts exited the ceiling and joined a 300mm header at the centre of the ridge line, which then ran transversely along the full length of the building. The 300mm ductwork ran through all three metal trusses, completing the mechanical element to the industrial-style gym.
Return air vents were completely understated. The flat roof that housed the ducted unit was itself used as a duct – the space above the ceiling was used to channel airflow back to the unit, via small but wide slits at the opposite end, finished with brushed steel trim flush with the ceiling.
All ductwork was double walled and insulated to ensure minimal thermal losses and aid noise reduction. With vents in each of the four sections of roof, the system was able to deliver quickly and uniformly across the entire building.
And as a final flourish to the impressive ductwork suspended over 4m in the air, we painted it all bright yellow. A Ferrari Modena yellow, number 4305.
Suffice to say, this single element of the build is a talking point for every person that visits for the first time. It stands in stark contrast to the greys and blacks used throughout the interior. It makes a bold statement saying, “I’m here… and I'm proud to be yellow”. Its presence has poise and precision. But most important of all, the client was very happy with his yellow ducting.