Trox takes the heat for BBC

In a refurbishment contract worth £300,000, Trox (UK) has supplied chilled beams for the BBC West One offices and editing studios at Langham Place, London. The company also supplied a wide range of grilles and diffusers.

The exposed passive chilled beams, incorporating a primary air supply, comprise 424 exposed TCB-Air units with 100mm diameter air duct and face grille, fitting of free issue control valves, co-ordinated with the sprinklers. The beams were supplied in various lengths to suit the building shape, which were fitted on eight floors of the building.

Each beam was unique, with 15 potential option variations. Many units were supplied with mitred ends and partition sections. Beam lengths vary from 1,000mm to 6,100mm, but due to site restraints the maximum length of any single beam section was 3.3m.

Because the extruded aluminium from which the beams are manufactured can be supplied in a single, long section, most have no joints along the length. This results in a seamless façade that forms a distinctive architectural feature. The exposed beams are finished in RAL 9010 with a 20% gloss.

The BBC is redeveloping its Portland Place premises, including Broadcasting House, to form a new headquarters complex, which will, at 80,000sq m (860,000sq ft), be one of the world’s largest and most advanced broadcasting facilities.