ROCO, Sheffield

Project team: Nick Brown Architects;  LEDA MEP engineering.

In 2015, a tired and uninspiring group of Georgian terraced houses in Sheffield was transformed into a buzzing artistic hub. This lively and creative hub provides studio, exhibition and general workspace for artists in the city.

LEDA worked as building services designers with the architect and client group to bring this vision to reality, on a shoestring budget. The transformed premises includes a new extension with a cafe/bar and roof garden, and LEDA joined with the artist client to develop an external lighting installation for this space.

Elements of low energy design within a limited budget

To keep the mechanical services within budget, LEDA adopted a domestic scale to the installations and used programmable thermostats for zone controls rather than introducing a complex building management system. LEDA also persuaded the design team that investing a proportion of the limited budget in improved thermal insulation was worthwhile.

The building was originally for ROCO and was a thriving community of artists and creatives. Unfortunately, arts centre ROCO closed down in 2018 after going into liquidation, this was due to flooding. The building was taken over by another company and continues to thrive with creative studios, work spaces and a restaurant and bar.

Technical Data

Client:	ROCO
Services Provided:	Sustainability, MEP design, Lighting design
Dates:	January 2015 – September 2015
Contract Value:	£1.1m (approximate)
Technologies and Unique Features:	Lean Design