Kingfisher Louvres, a specialist manufacturer of aluminium architectural louvres, has delivered more than 600 acoustic louvre modules and 1600 metres of screening louvre blade for a new award-winning mixed-use redevelopment project incorporating a luxury hotel in London.
Facing the Ritz and located within the Mayfair conservation area, One Berkeley Street is a 19,500m2 development, which includes the first 1 Hotel outside North America along with offices and retail units. It was formed through the refurbishment of two 1970s buildings and retains the vast majority of original structures, creating a vibrant, modern building that is sympathetic to its past. The extensive development, which was delivered by DE Group Contracting, Kingfisher Louvres’ client and main contractor, features three new extensions including a two-storey rooftop extension.
Kingfisher Louvres’ Technical Sales team collaborated with architects from Allford Hall Monaghan Morris to create a solution to screen the plant equipment situated on the roof and to also provide effective sound attenuation to minimise the noise from the HVAC systems. Kingfisher KA acoustic louvre modules, which provide permanent ventilation combined with the reduction of airborne sound transmission into or out of buildings, together with the company’s KC120 screening louvres helped to provide the perfect blend of acoustic performance and screening.
A total of 646 acoustically treated aluminium louvres – a mix of KA150/20 modules and KA270/20 modules – were supplied in RAL 7047 matt at different depths to meet the varying sound attenuation requirements for the building. Bespoke penetrations were also required through some of the acoustic louvres on the roof to allow for a man-safe support system – therefore, each penetration needed a specially designed unit.
Also, on the roof of the development, Kingfisher’s KC120 screening louvres were installed to form several plant screens alongside 10 single doors for access to the plant equipment. As the KC120’s Z-profile blade can be angled upwards or downwards for screening from any angle, this made it the perfect solution to screen HVAC and other plant equipment.
With the project requiring so many bespoke elements, a dedicated assembly line was set up within Kingfisher’s Nottinghamshire factory. Every louvre panel was allocated a unique reference that tallied with a layout schedule to ensure they were installed accurately on site. The deliveries to site also had to meet stringent delivery timescales due to the restrictions of a busy Central London location.
Darren Rees, Project Manager at DE Group Contracting, commented, “This was a complex louvre installation on a very prestigious project. Not only did the louvres have to provide sound attenuation and screening for the plant equipment, they also had to fit with the architectural aesthetics of the development, as well as incorporating a specialist man-safe system which added to the stringent level of detail that was required. We were delighted with the technical and logistical support provided by Kingfisher Louvres throughout the project and the subsequent quality of the installed louvres.”
The project won the Best Mixed-Use Scheme at the Building London Planning Awards in October 2024.
To find out more, visit www.kingfisherlouvres.com, call 01773 814102 or email admin@kingfisherlouvres.com.
