Penthouse Turret for Unity Hall restoration, Wakefield

Penthouse Turret for Unity Hall restoration, Wakefield

GDL have recently completed works at the Unity Hall restoration project in Wakefield. Opened in 1902 by the Wakefield Wholesale Co-operative Society, Unity Hall was a major entertainment venue for concerts and dances from the 1950s through to the 1980’s. But the entertainment came to a close at the end of the 1990s and the building has stood empty ever since. A community group was started in 2011 to turn the derelict Unity Hall on Westgate into a music and arts venue. More than 200 people have invested in a community share scheme, anyone who chooses to buy shares will be paid interest of 4% from the time of opening, with the hope to increase it to 6% in three years.

GDL were asked to design, manufacture and install a bespoke octagonal Penthouse Turret to sit in a very prominent position on the building. The architect wanted to replicate the original Victorian turret aesthetically whilst maintaining the correct level of ventilation.

The GDL Intelivent Natural Ventilation Turret selected creates a stack effect through the main hall via the ductwork. This system works in conjunction with automated control, CO² and temperature sensors with set point levels and an extract fan. This allows us to maintain a comfortable environment within the main hall with the desired air temperature and a controlled seasonal ventilation rate being achieved. By incorporating controls, the ventilation rate can be designed to be dependent on the occupancy level within the room throughout the day, significantly lowering energy consumption.

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Natural ventilators