Sector: Commercial, retail
Location: Victoria Leeds, Yorkshire
Size: 353 m² across two adjacent ground floor units with internal connection
Status: Completed Q4 2023
A new boutique fashion brand required a flagship presence at Victoria Leeds. Two adjacent retail units were combined to create a cohesive shopping destination with a continuous shopfront, central cash and wrap area, spacious fitting rooms, and a sculptural feature stair leading to a partial first-floor stock area and client lounge. InnoDez UK delivered integrated MEP engineering and structural design solutions from concept to handover, ensuring compliance with both landlord technical standards and local authority approvals.
The brief was to design a stylish and functional retail environment that offered consistent temperature control, low-glare lighting, and fully concealed services. The fit-out needed to maintain a clean, unobstructed façade with no visible grilles or louvres. The design also had to integrate a seamless connection between the two units, keeping noise and odour levels within strict mall limits. Furthermore, the project needed rapid approvals and a build programme that would not disrupt the mall’s trading hours.
MEP Engineering: HVAC, ventilation make-up air, domestic services, drainage, power, small power, lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm, and sprinkler modifications.
Structural Design: For the party line opening, feature stair design, local slab checks, and plant supports.
Energy and Sustainability: Inputs for Part L compliance and sensible sub-metering for energy monitoring.
BIM Coordination: Coordination with the architect, landlord team, and fit-out contractor.
The party line between the units formed part of the mall’s smoke compartment strategy, requiring integration with the fire curtain in the landlord’s design. This meant that careful coordination was needed to align the new opening with the existing system. Additionally, sprinkler head locations conflicted with the new ceiling design, necessitating adjustments to ensure compliance. Verification of floor loading under the display plinths and the feature stair base was required to meet structural safety standards. Landlord rules also restricted façade penetrations and required all supply and extract systems to use designated risers only, which posed design limitations.
The design and documentation complied with UK regulations and the landlord’s standards, including Part B (Fire Safety), Part F (Ventilation), Part L (Energy), Part M (Access), BS 7671 (Electrical Installations), BS 5839 (Fire Detection), BS 5266 (Emergency Lighting), and BS 9999 (Fire Strategy). Fire strategy notes, sprinkler calculations, and smoke control interfaces were submitted to support the landlord review. The acoustic measures were calculated and verified, ensuring a smooth approval process with Building Control. The project met all requirements for fire safety, ventilation, energy efficiency, and noise control, ensuring compliance with all relevant standards.
Comfortable space: Stable indoor conditions with even temperatures and low background noise, even during peak mall traffic.
Efficient design: Energy use was reduced through heat recovery, CO₂-based demand control, and LED lighting.
Compliance: The project was fully compliant with Part L, Part F, and Part M regulations, ensuring code compliance and seamless approvals.
Operational efficiency: Sub-metering helped the client track energy use, while simple, user-friendly controls allowed staff to easily operate the space.
The Victoria Leeds Boutique Fashion Duo Unit project showcases how thoughtful engineering can seamlessly merge two units into a high-end retail space while adhering to strict landlord and fire safety regulations. With a strong focus on energy efficiency, noise and odour control, and clear client collaboration, the project demonstrates the importance of coordinated design and compliance in delivering a premium retail environment.
Planning a UK retail or fashion fit-out? Contact InnoDez UK to discuss your project and how we can help you deliver a coordinated, code-compliant solution that meets both design aspirations and regulatory requirements.