Lovely soffits, reduced material use and thermal mass

To provide greater acoustic separation between floors the building is RC frame to 1st floor with a lighter weight steel and timber structure above. The exposed soffit of the underside of the first floor was utilised for thermal mass and easy service distribution.

The project was the first UK use of Airdeck, a novel form of construction that provides voids to the concrete slab. The system led to a 30% reduction in slab weight, tipping the project back on to shallow footings from piled foundations. Additionally, it provided a high quality concrete soffit and quicker, cleaner construction having utilised offsite prefabrication.