Overview
Spence constructed a control centre for London Ambulance Service NHS, converting the existing office space on the 5th floor of Bernard Weatherill House in Croydon.
As a 24/7 call centre for the emergency services, the entire 5th floor required resilient mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) services to enable it to continue functioning in the event of a power failure within the building.
Scope
A full list of works is outlined as follows:
- Provision of workspace for 205 staff, including UPS‑backed desks, alongside new training, meeting and wellbeing rooms, and a fully fitted kitchen.
- Installation of glass‑partitioned training areas with sliding acoustic divisions, and fire‑damper condensers at 13th floor level.
- Upgrade of communications room with enhanced fire protection and gas suppression systems.
- Mechanical and electrical upgrades including chilled beams, lowered bulkheads, independent VRF and ASHP systems, external heat pumps, and visual fire alarms.
- Internal fit‑out works comprising new flooring, acoustic wall panelling, double‑glazed partitions, changing facilities and replacement carpeting.
- Infrastructure and resilience improvements including self‑contained backup systems, MEP modifications for 5th‑floor independence, plant room refurbishment, and new electrical infrastructure with standby generator.
- Full replacement of CCTV system integrated with LAS operations.
Challenges & Solutions
The project scope expanded to include a 630KVA generator with UPS for 300-hour backup. The deadline was fixed to meet a critical service need before an existing lease expired. The team collaborated with designers, subcontractors, the building manager, and tenants to ensure workable solutions and minimal disruption. Work occurred out of hours in a live building to comply with noise restrictions. Deliveries and waste used the loading bay and goods lift to avoid office impact. A plant room, added later, was craned in over a weekend, and a traffic management plan closed the road to prevent public disruption.
