The Baltic Exchange

Bid Support, MEP Design and Coordination, BREEAM AP, Programming and Technical Services Management

WP3’s expertise were requested to assist in bidding and coordinating this project which is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and modernising with low carbon technologies.

The Baltic Exchange building, a Grade II listed property in the shadow of the Gherkin, is undergoing a significant refurbishment and facelift. Encompassing everything from detailed design coordination to the BREEAM AP role, WP3 undertook a holistic MEP management role on behalf of MACE.

With existing heritage architectural features being retained throughout, WP3 put a significant amount of effort into coordinating modern building services whilst remaining sympathetic to the architecture, façade and existing retained finishes. Non-typical ventilation and power distribution methods were reviewed and coordinated to allow this.

Buildability and logistics were incredibly challenging given both the central city location and the limitations of the existing structure & access. WP3 developed a complete strategy for plant movements, requiring detailed analysis of all plant components to be located in both the restrictive basement and the space sensitive roof. Crane lifts were avoided without jeopardising services performance or the low carbon strategy.

It was also key to the project that services were maintained to certain existing rooms to protect heritage finishes, as well as allowing the existing pub located on the ground and basement floors to continue to operate. Again challenging given the complete strip and replacement of all existing services, WP3 developed a phased strategy to do so without risk to the programme or impact on other trades.