Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA)

Contractor: Kier Construction

Client

LIPA 6th Form College

Consultant

BCM

Value

£1,100,000.00

Founded in 1996 by Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA had two main aims; to renovate and revitalise the Liverpool Institute and to also build on the city’s reputation of excellence in the performing arts.

Scope

In 2016, as a result of the schools success and due to the ever changing technological landscape, the existing building required refurbishment and an additional five storey facility was proposed to cement LIPA’s reputation as one of the leading performing arts college’s in the world.

HE Simm was selected by our long-term client Kier Construction to deliver full MEP design & build services to both elements of the project. LIPA required areas containing specialist services such as performance spaces, recording studios and dance studios. The project also entailed a tight deadline, with the end user requiring completion in advance of the 2016 intake of students in September.

Delivery

The refurbishment posed significant challenges, mainly how we would fit the new services in to the existing shell, built to house systems designed in the 1960’s. The structure was composed of dense concrete and had extremely low ceilings in some parts, adding to the challenge. To overcome this, we worked collaboratively with our supply chain, Kier and other trades, conducting regular on-site surveys to ensure a quality install.

We installed a state of the art BMS system in order for the end user to have total control of all heating and ventilation plant installations. This was then interfaced with the existing building to provide LIPA with the opportunity to regulate the temperature of the building in a way not previously possible.

The ventilation systems also contained heat recovery units, an energy saving technique, employed to improve the energy efficiency of the building.

Outcome

The result was a high-specification, hi-tech project, delivered on time, in budget and to an extremely high standard. The Director of the 6^th Form College was extremely pleased with the outcome and Ron Hughes (Kier PM) said, “Overall it’s been a very good job. HE Simm has collaborated with all stakeholders throughout the project and the project team has delivered a brilliant job.”