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We were pleased to be attendance at the soft opening of the new TRY Market scheme just opposite Victoria train station in London. The scheme consists of thirteen kitchens around two floors of seating and bars. The main space contains a two storey atrium which reuses the existing roof light above. The building is a refurbishment of an exisiting building which had been empty for a number of years – its last use was as a night club! The building was completely stripped out back to its orignial features which have been cleverly left on display.

We carried out mechanical, electrical and public health design. As the scheme consists of thirteen kitchens, notable challenges included obtaining a new gas upgraded gas supply, relocating the existing gas intake (as it was under the proposed new lift), and obtaining a new upgraded electrical supply. Being a central London location, the kitchen exhausts were a key planning point and required extensive discussion with the planners to obtain an approved route. The final location was to discharge up the side of the adjacent building (fortunately owned by the same landlord – TFL), and have the ducts coloured to match the brickwork.

The roof was also to be used as a roof top terrace bar, therefore space was at a premium for plant. An innovative solution was provided consisting of multiple extract systems from the kitchen, a packaged small heat recovery system for some staff locker and changing facilities, heat pumps to provide heating and cooling to the main areas, powerful gas boilers with a fan dilution system to provide a fast hot water recovery time, and natural ventilation to the main areas.

The natural ventilation uses the existitng roof light with new louvres in the sides at roof level and at ground floor level to provide a controlled ventilation during the day, but with option to fully open to provide the make up air during cooking periods. The roof louvres are fitted with LPHW coils to provide preheating.