Vantage point gains luxury living advantage with Warmafloor underfloor heating
The iconic 1960s Archway Tower in the heart of Islington has been transformed into luxury residential apartments, supported by Warmafloor’s Acoustic Floor Systems and INTELIQ smart control systems.
Originally an office block, the 17-storey building – renamed Vantage Point Archway Tower – has been converted by property developer, Essential Living, into 118 deluxe apartments, complete with a roof terrace, winter garden and club room.
A key challenge for Essential Living and GRID Architects – the firm charged with designing the renovation – was to make the most of the limited space within the tower. At the same time, the organisations needed to find a way to minimise noise transfer between apartments, to provide a comfortable living environment for residents.
The solution
To meet the challenge, Essential Living and GRID Architects selected energy-efficient, space-saving and sound insulating UFH systems from Warmafloor.
Warmafloor designed, supplied and installed complete UFH systems – comprising of pipework, manifolds and thermostat controls – throughout Vantage Point Archway Tower, fitted beneath sprung flooring topped with gypsum based boards for increased output.
For the apartments, Warmafloor’s Acoustic Batten Floor system was used. Featuring floor battens – strips of squared timber – fitted onto cradles with an acoustic layer, the system delivers high standard sound insulation in compliance with ‘Sound Transmission in the Building Regulations’ Part E. The system allows the UFH pipework, insulation and battens to be installed quickly and efficiently in cycles, which enabled contractors to fit floors for as many as eight apartments per week. Moreover, the battens used in the flooring have Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council seals of approval, showing that the timber can be tracked directly to sustainable sources.
In addition to its acoustic flooring, Warmafloor’s INTELIQ smart control systems technology was fitted to enable residents to control the heating in their homes. Capable of interfacing with multiple energy sources, from heat pumps and solar panels, to energy exchangers and underfloor heating, INTELIQ optimises both heat generation and demand to maximise energy efficiency and minimise running costs.
The benefits
The renovation of Vantage Point Archway Tower is now complete, and the apartments are available for sale and rent. Not only has the building been transformed into a paragon of luxury city living, thanks in part to the energy-efficient heating systems and sustainably sourced timber flooring, it is a strong example of environmentally conscious construction. As a result, it is on track to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ sustainability rating.
Commenting on the results of the renovation, Toby Conroy, Senior Programme Manager at Essential Living Management, explained:
“Warmafloor was able to meet the various challenges this project presented, offering a solutions-driven approach to the building’s heating and flooring requirements, and also meeting the tight installation deadline.”
Jon Moran, Business Development Manager at Warmafloor, added:
“Vantage Point Archway Tower is a fantastic example of how an effective UFH system and acoustic flooring can help convert an ageing office building into beautiful homes that are not only spacious, warm and comfortable, but energy-efficient and sustainable too.”