A car dealership in Brentford was undertaking a comprehensive redevelopment of existing facilities on their 0.87-hectare site. The core objective was to expand and modernize the showroom and service areas. The project also aimed to achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating through sustainable and environmentally responsible design.

The reimagined space would span over 13,200 square meters, offering a showroom for up to 25 cars, a 35-bay workshop, state-of-the-art valeting facilities, office spaces, and a parts distribution hub. Additionally, the design included the new parking facilities for approximately 400 cars, efficiently distributed across five stories.

One of the project’s challenges was the implementation of an effective natural ventilation system within the open-sided car park, to prevent the accumulation of harmful vehicle emissions and to provide an efficient smoke control system in the event of a fire.

The goal was therefore to create a ventilation solution that complied with regulatory standards, while blending with the architectural design. In line with the guidance outlined in section 11.2 of Approved Document B, Volume 2, the system needed to be capable of facilitating natural smoke ventilation, reducing the risk of fire spread and ensuring a safe environment for evacuation and fire-fighting activities.