Custom House Baptist Church

Overview

The Custom House Baptist Church is a central multicultural church for the community in London. The site provides safety and inclusion through the focus on creating a shared, communal space for all guests. The building itself is rich with history and architectural significance and has recently undergone a transformative stage in its history to upgrade its facilities while preserving the essence of its heritage. 

Brief –  

Custom House Baptist Church sought to improve the current facilities, which required a Stage 4 Technical Design for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) engineering services from our Global Building Environments division (GBE) to use thermal modelling to optimise the building’s energy performance.  

Situation

The project’s primary goal was to coordinate the stage 4 technical design for MEP engineering services. This encompassed the integration of modern HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems whilst ensuring that the complexity of these systems did not compromise ease of control. Striking a balance between efficiency and simplicity was crucial to meet the unique requirements of the historic Custom House Baptist Church. 

The challenge lay in introducing MEP engineering services that would seamlessly integrate with the existing structure, keeping the church functional and comfortable for its congregation. The project presented unique challenges in blending modern efficiency with the simplicity required for easy control. 

Challenges –  

The foremost challenge was to design MEP systems that were sophisticated enough to deliver optimal performance, but simple enough for easy control. Finding this balance was critical to meet the needs of both the church staff and maintenance personnel.  

Solution

To maintain efficiency, the team needed to conduct detailed thermal modelling to accurately determine the building loads. This approach aimed to prevent oversizing of equipment, ensuring that the MEP systems were precisely tailored to the church’s requirements, minimising energy waste. Advanced thermal modelling techniques were employed to gain insights into the true building loads. This not only ensured that the MEP systems were appropriately sized but also contributed to the overall energy efficiency of the church. The design incorporated user-friendly control systems that allowed the church staff to manage the MEP systems effortlessly. This included intuitive interfaces and automated functions to simplify day-to-day operations while maintaining a comfortable environment for the congregation. 

The success of the project was rooted in a collaborative approach. The MEP engineering team worked closely with architects, heritage preservation experts, and church representatives to ensure that the modern systems seamlessly blended with the church’s historic architecture. The coordinated stage 4 technical design was delivered with meticulous attention to detail, providing a roadmap for the subsequent phases of the project. The documentation not only met the technical requirements but also included comprehensive guidelines for system control and maintenance. 

The Custom House Baptist Church now stands as a testament to the successful integration of modern MEP engineering services with a historic structure. The careful balance between simplicity and control, coupled with the innovative use of thermal modelling, ensures that the church remains energy-efficient while preserving its rich heritage. 

Summary

The Custom House Baptist Church project exemplifies how historical buildings that have a requirement for modernised facilities need to be worked on with innovative solutions, which our GBE team demonstrated throughout the duration of the project. By overcoming challenges with a collaborative mindset, the project not only succeeded in upgrading the MEP systems but also set a precedent for harmonising efficiency with the unique requirements of heritage buildings. This case study stands as an inspiring example of how thoughtful engineering can give new life to historic structures.