31 Chertsey Street

31 Chertsey Street is a 29,345 sq ft office building located within the Guildford Town Centre Conservation Area. Previously refurbished in 2014 to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, the current proposals seek to reposition the building as Grade A office space in response to market demand, while significantly enhancing its environmental performance. In parallel with the building services upgrades, the refurbishment includes improvements to the entrance and reception, upgraded office plates, new end-of-trip facilities and enhanced external amenity spaces.

TGA have been appointed to deliver MEP design services from RIBA Stages 2 to 4a, alongside providing support with the BREEAM assessment, targeting a rating of ‘Excellent’. The brief requires a future-proofed services strategy suitable for occupation by either a single tenant or multiple tenants, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, flexibility and operational carbon reduction.

The MEP strategy focuses on the decarbonisation of the building’s services through the replacement of the existing chilled beam system with a modern, high-efficiency VRF system serving all office areas. The majority of the existing lighting installation is being replaced with new LED lighting to improve efficiency and internal environmental quality. Renewable energy generation is being introduced through the installation of a 211 m² photovoltaic array at roof level, reducing reliance on grid electricity and improving overall building performance.

Sustainability considerations extend beyond building services, with the use of low-carbon materials proposed where possible to further enhance the environmental credentials of the refurbishment. The completed scheme will deliver a highly efficient, modern office building aligned with current occupier expectations and long-term sustainability objectives.