Sushi restaurant serves up combination of air quality and energy efficiency
The refurbishment of a restaurant in London’s Soho has resulted in an installation that achieves a high specification in both air quality and energy efficiency.
The OKA restaurant Carnaby Street, which specialises in Pan-Asian and Sushi cuisine, saw specialist contractor SFE Services appointed by Principal Contractor ICM to install a range of HVAC technology, including heat recovery ventilation, heating and AC.
SFE installed a total of 20.5 kW of split air conditioning units, together with two heat recovery ventilation systems, rated at air volumes of 350 cu m/h and 800 cu m/h respectively, for the restaurant, kitchen, bar, private dining room and customer WC facilities.
One of the key elements of the specification was a high standard of filtration to optimise IAQ for customers. SFE opted for the nanoe X technology from Panasonic, installed in five ceiling-mounted cassette indoor units at various locations throughout the restaurant and function room. The nanoe X technology, which is proprietary to Panasonic, harnesses the benefits of hydroxyl radicals which have the capacity to inhibit pollutants. Panasonic also supplied the heat recovery ventilation units to provide supply and extract ventilation to the restaurant, function room and toilet facilities.
All the internal air conditioning units, ancillaries and ductwork were left exposed and colour-matched by ICM to maintain the contemporary design of the premises.
ICM was also requested to provide a new kitchen extract system. This was independently designed and SFE Services were required to supply and install the complex extract and filter system that complied with the landlord’s fit-out guide. Without speed control, the Helios GigaBox fan produces 3.50 cu m/s at Free Air while at 800 Pa, it has a recommended maximum speed of 1.144 cu. m/s, SFE notes, and the fan can perform anywhere between these points. All ductwork was made to measure to allow for the correct extraction rates and to fit in the area provided.
Three outdoor units were installed on the multi-tenant roof area using specialist lifting equipment. Due to the location of the building in a very public area, the onsite contractors had to adhere to landlord requirements, SFE reports, requiring risk assessment and health and safety practices needed to be followed at all times.
SFE reports that successful collaboration between ICM and SFE Services resulted in ‘the seamless execution’ of the project – which was completed to a tight timescale on time and within budget.
