Project Scope:

The Staycity aparthotel development at Little Mary Street is a six-story, 340-bedroom self-contained aparthotel built over a single basement level. Each room includes its own kitchen, with planning permission granted for both commercial and domestic use. The building features VRF air conditioning, local heat recovery ventilation, and central gas-fired hot water generation. Additionally, it is serviced by its own 10kV MV transformer.

Client vision/objectives:

The proposed development is designed in accordance with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Building Regulations' Technical Guidance Document, aligning with strategies for sustainable urban design and the reduction of energy use and carbon emissions. The design approach aims to incorporate sustainable solutions that are both technically efficient and environmentally responsible.

Unique challenges of the project:

The city centre location of the project presented significant spatial and logistical challenges due to its small footprint and limited space for on-site storage and offices. To address this, site offices and welfare facilities were established at an adjacent offsite location, and a just-in-time delivery methodology was implemented to minimise on-site storage requirements. As a city centre development, deliveries had to be carefully managed, with all crane drops scheduled in advance.

The contractual programme was highly ambitious, initially targeting an 11-month delivery period. However, the construction phase coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted the schedule due to social distancing requirements, workforce absences, intermittent shutdowns, and supply chain issues. Despite these setbacks, the project was successfully delivered over a net 13-month period through close collaboration and adaptability across the team.

To support modern methods of construction, all containment brackets were manufactured off-site. With over 40 different room types, the project demanded an extensive coordination process. Achieving the client and architect’s desired finish proved particularly challenging due to the high density of services within the limited space. Tritech, acting as both the mechanical and electrical contractor, streamlined this process through integrated service coordination.

Tritech Methods/Innovations:

Tritech was awarded the contract as a combined Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) design and build package. Acting as both the mechanical and electrical contractor enabled a streamlined coordination process, with all issues managed in-house and resolved efficiently. From the outset, we collaborated closely with Axis Engineering on all aspects of design, from plant and pipe sizing to acoustic performance, ensuring the final product met the client's brand standards while remaining variation cost neutral.

By working in unison with our electrical team from pre-construction through to commissioning, we eliminated the typical challenges associated with M&E coordination, scope gaps, commissioning delays, and communication breakdowns.