Smart solutions for smart buildings

There was a lot to consider when integrated control system specialist, Accurro, started work on the penthouse of Albion Riverside, an 11- storey apartment block of shimmering glass overlooking London’s Thames.

“There is so much glass, it is like a greenhouse, so part of the scope was to overcome the heat gained from the sun. That was the biggest challenge,” explained Harry Lees, the company’s co-founder and director.

Accurro was tasked, he said, with controlling the humidity in the penthouse, to safeguard the installed artwork, as well as extracting moisture from the steam room when it wasn’t in use. The client also required leak detection, for insurance purposes, and for all controls to be as easy to use as possible.

To fulfil the brief, Accurro installed a smart HVAC solution. It tracks the sun’s position in the sky and measures radiation levels in real time, then uses this data to automatically control air conditioning, heating, and humidifiers in individual rooms as the day progresses. As well as meeting the client’s practicality requirements, this approach also contributes to the apartment’s overall sustainability by ensuring the efficient use of power. “Once the resident has set the system to the temperature, they are happy with, it controls itself,” said Harry. “It means they always get the optimal energy usage.” Controls and graphics are integrated into the installed Creston touch screens, providing residents with a single, simple interface for audiovisual and HVAC functions, while an automatic extract damper extracts steam from the steam room. Bullet sensors leak detection modules on the floor of the plant room raise the alarm if water is detected, or if pre-set usage parameters are exceeded, indicating a burst pipe. As well as protecting the penthouse and its contents from damage, this further contributes to its green credentials by helping to avoid water waste.