York Student Castle, a student accommodation facility in York, required a fully integrated ventilation and air conditioning solution across three distinct zones of their building, all delivered at short notice. Newton Electrical and Mechanical Ltd rose to the challenge, designing and installing a phased mechanical and electrical solution using market-leading Mitsubishi equipment. The result was a complete, tested, and commissioned system across the cinema room, first floor study rooms, and mezzanine level, delivered on time and fully operational.
York Student Castle, located in the heart of York, provides modern accommodation for students studying in the city. As part of an ongoing programme of building improvements managed by Inspired Projects Development Ltd, the facility required a significant upgrade to its ventilation and air conditioning infrastructure. With students relying on the building year-round, delivering a comfortable, well-ventilated environment across all communal and study spaces was a non-negotiable priority.
Newton Electrical and Mechanical Ltd, a specialist mechanical and electrical contractor based in Burbage, Leicestershire, was appointed to deliver the works. With extensive experience across commercial building services, Newton brought the technical expertise and project management capability needed to navigate a complex, multi-zone installation under significant time pressure.
The project presented several overlapping challenges that demanded both technical precision and practical adaptability.
A Complex, Multi-Zone Building the works spanned three distinct areas of the York Student Castle building, each with its own set of constraints:
Existing Services and Access Constraints: The building’s existing infrastructure added another layer of complexity. The presence of established mechanical and electrical services throughout the building meant that every design decision needed to account for what was already in place. Final positioning of key equipment, including the MVHR unit, could only be confirmed on-site, once the full extent of the existing services layout was understood. Access across multiple zones also required careful coordination to avoid disruption to the building’s day-to-day operations.
Short Notice Procurement and Programme Pressure: Perhaps the most significant challenge was the timeline. The project came in at very short notice, placing immediate pressure on the procurement process, equipment lead times, and programme planning. With specialist equipment such as the Mitsubishi Lossnay MVHR unit requiring coordination with suppliers, including a three-week lead time on custom RAL-painted unit fascias, the team had little margin for error.
Newton Electrical and Mechanical Ltd developed a comprehensive, phased solution that addressed each zone of the building systematically, ensuring both quality of installation and minimal disruption throughout the programme.
Phase 1: Cinema Room MVHR Ventilation
The first phase of works centred on the cinema room, where Newton supplied and installed a Mitsubishi Lossnay LGH-50RVX-E MVHR unit, a commercial-grade heat recovery ventilation system engineered to deliver clean, fresh air while simultaneously recovering heat energy to maximise efficiency. The installation included all associated ductwork, attenuation, lagging, dampers, brackets, and fixings required for a complete and compliant installation, along with a local controller for day-to-day operation. The system was fully tested, balanced, and commissioned upon completion, with manufacturers’ literature, commissioning information, and as-built drawings provided to the client.
First Floor AC for Study Rooms
For the first floor study rooms, Newton specified and installed two Mitsubishi Electric MFZ-KT25VG floor-standing air conditioning units, a practical solution chosen specifically because of the spatial constraints on the first floor, where wall-mounted alternatives were not feasible. The external condensing units were positioned within the undercroft area adjacent to the building’s reception, keeping the footprint discreet. To suit the aesthetic of the environment, unit fascias were finished in matt black. Each unit was installed complete with all interconnecting pipework, lagging, condensate lines, and wall-mounted controllers, and the entire installation was tested and commissioned to manufacturer standards.
Mezzanine Ventilation Works
On the mezzanine level, Newton’s team altered the existing ductwork serving the space to ensure adequate ventilation to the newly created study booths. Wherever possible, existing infrastructure was retained and reused, including the existing louvre and grille, minimising both material waste and cost. Existing return air ductwork at low level within the wooden benching area was carefully cut back and refitted with a new plan and grille to complete the installation.
Dedicated Electrical Supply
Underpinning all three zones, Newton installed a full dedicated electrical supply for the new equipment. This included new circuits from the distribution board in the post room to both the MVHR unit and the external condenser locations, along with RCBOs, isolators, controls cabling for wall-mounted controllers, and all associated testing and certification.
Throughout the project, Newton’s team worked closely with Lewis Workman at Inspired Projects Development Ltd, maintaining clear communication and adapting the programme as site conditions required.
Upon completion of both phases, York Student Castle was left with a fully operational, integrated ventilation and air conditioning system across all three targeted zones of the building:
All systems were tested, commissioned, and handed over fully operational, with complete documentation including as-built drawings and manufacturers’ literature provided to the client.
The York Student Castle project is a clear demonstration of Newton Electrical and Mechanical Ltd’s ability to deliver technically complex building services solutions under demanding programme conditions. Working across a live, occupied building with constrained access, complex existing services, and a compressed timeline, Newton’s team applied practical problem-solving and precise engineering to deliver a result that met the client’s requirements in full.
For Inspired Projects Development Ltd, the successful delivery of this project reinforces the value of working with a contractor that combines technical expertise with responsive project management. As student accommodation providers continue to invest in the quality and comfort of their facilities, the partnership between Newton and Inspired Projects is well-positioned to support future building improvement programmes.
Ready to discuss your next mechanical or electrical project? Contact the Newton Electrical and Mechanical Ltd team today to find out how we can support your building services requirements.
