Aldwych House

Virtus were delighted to be instructed to undertake the Design and Installation of a new seven story fire escape staircase. Virtus completed the design of the steel structure with input from MNP structural engineers, Darling associates and Hoare Lea. The staircase structure was cantilevered from one side which tied into the structure of existing building at each floor level as well as being supported from two sixteen meter piles which were carefully designed and set out to avoid the existing mains cabling fed from a close by substation. The installation of the new structure was extremely challenging due to restricted access with limited space to manoeuvre the components. Once the new structure was in place, it was finished in a Zircon expanded mesh panelling system.

In addition to the fire escape, the external works package also included the removal of the existing ACM cladding panels and PIR insulation. A non-combustible insulation and fire proofing scheme was designed with input from the design team along with Urban Change Group with new powder coated aluminium rainscreen panelling being installed with fire rated door sets at each floor level.

Internally Virtus completed the strip out of the fifth floor with new HVAC, electrical, fire safety and security services being installed along with a feature SAS ceiling system which was set out and installed to suit the employers requirements. The WCs and lift lobbies were also fitted out with new lighting, bespoke wall tiling along with specialist architectural metal wall panels and decorations.

The buildings main reception area was given a new lease of life with several bespoke joinery items which included curved Terazzo cladding panels, float glass worktops and blackened steel wall panels. The reception backdrop was finished in Celosia Mutina, Terracota blocks with LED feature lighting to give the area an aesthetically unique finish.

The works were successfully delivered with the building being occupied throughout the duration of the project.