Kia Dealership Refurbishment

Client: NK Motors

Brief Summary:

CHJ Mechanical Ltd were proud to deliver the full design, supply, and installation of new air conditioning and ventilation systems as part of the refurbishment of the Kia dealership in Derby. Working closely with the client and design team, we created a comfortable, energy-efficient environment that aligned perfectly with Kia’s latest retail standards — all completed on time and to the highest quality.

Overview

At CHJ Mechanical Ltd, we were appointed to undertake the full mechanical design and installation package for the refurbishment of the Kia car dealership in Derby. The £73,000 project began in January 2024 and reached successful completion in June 2024.

The scope of works included the design, supply, and installation of new air conditioning and heat recovery ventilation systems to the main showroom, sales, and office areas, as well as new extract ventilation to toilet and kitchen areas.

This project demanded careful integration with the new architectural layout and interior aesthetic of the dealership, ensuring that all mechanical systems were discreet, reliable, and energy-efficient while maintaining the sleek, high-end visual appearance that defines Kia’s brand identity.

Challenges

As with many dealership refurbishments, one of the primary challenges lay in balancing performance and aesthetics. The client required all visible elements of the air distribution systems to blend seamlessly into the building’s new design — particularly in the main showroom, where the showroom design featured a bespoke wood-finished bulkhead.

Another key challenge was ensuring that the proposed systems would deliver optimal energy performance and comfort across multiple zones with differing heating and cooling demands. Our design team needed to develop a system that provided precise control and flexibility without compromising efficiency.

Finally, the project was undertaken with a high level of specification reviews and compliance checks, with the client seeking the best long-term return on investment through sustainable, low-maintenance solutions.

Our Solution

We began by de-commissioning and stripping out all existing redundant mechanical services, creating a clean slate for the refurbishment. Working collaboratively with the client, we presented two system options: a cost-effective design offering basic controllability and a premium system providing advanced energy efficiency and comfort through superior control. After reviewing the long-term benefits, the client chose our recommended option — a Mitsubishi VRF heat pump system.

Air Conditioning Systems

The final design featured a Mitsubishi heat pump VRF system serving the back-of-house offices and sales office areas. The system comprised one external condensing unit coupled to ten above-ceiling ducted fan coil units, allowing each room independent temperature control. Although the system operates in either full heating or cooling mode (not simultaneously), it provided an excellent balance between efficiency, control, and capital cost.

For the main showroom area, we installed large split-type heat pump inverter systems. To maintain the clean architectural appearance, these were concealed within ceiling voids. Air was distributed through Flow-Bar diffusers integrated into the bespoke wooden bulkhead, using a specially fabricated frame developed in collaboration with the architectural designers. This delivered both aesthetic precision and optimal air distribution throughout the space.

Specialised Areas

In response to the client’s request for air conditioning within the toilet areas — an uncommon but highly effective feature for customer comfort — we designed a discrete system positioned in an adjacent ceiling void. Ducting was carefully routed to provide heating or cooling as required, controlled via thermostatic settings.

Ventilation and Ancillary Systems

New heat recovery ventilation systems were installed to serve the showroom and office areas, significantly improving energy efficiency by reclaiming heat from exhaust air. This not only reduces running costs but also enhances indoor air quality — key for both staff and customer wellbeing.

All associated interconnecting services were installed, including refrigeration pipework, controls cabling, ductwork, grilles, and condensate drainage systems, ensuring a fully integrated and reliable solution.

The installation was completed in collaboration with other trades, including the electrical and architectural teams, with our engineers maintaining clear communication and flexibility to keep the project on schedule and within budget.

Results

The completed system provided the dealership with a highly efficient and controllable indoor climate, tailored to the unique needs of each space. The energy-efficient VRF and heat recovery systems have reduced operational energy consumption while providing consistent comfort across all occupied areas.

By working closely with the design and fit-out teams, we achieved a finish that fully met Kia’s new corporate image standards, with all visible components blending seamlessly into the interior design.

The project was delivered on time, within budget, and without disruption, demonstrating our ability to manage complex installations within live refurbishment environments.

This project further strengthened our reputation for delivering reliable, sustainable, and aesthetically sensitive mechanical solutions for retail and commercial environments.

Client Feedback

“It was a great pleasure to work with the CHJ Mechanical Team on our project to refurbish our Kia dealership to meet the new and exciting Kia standards. This exacting concept was exactly what we wanted when it came to our air conditioning systems, and CHJ Mechanical provided a superlative team of project managers and engineers who worked seamlessly with our own engineers and other contractors to bring us the results we demanded — both timely and without any issues of integration and design.

Nothing was left unresolved, and every design and engineering detail was meticulously dealt with to bring us a system of air handling and cooling that is not intrusive but perfectly effective for our environment. A five-star service we would highly recommend.”
Group Property Project Manager