Harbour House

Harbour House, perched on the iconic Dover seafront, has long been central to the operations of the Dover Harbour Board. Originally built as an elegant terrace of townhouses in the 1830s, the property was converted into offices after the Second World War. Its boardroom, created in 1959 and panelled in silver Greywood, has hosted decades of meetings. However, the south-east-facing windows caused the space to overheat in summer, and they could not be fully opened due to pigeons and seagulls. With a desire to modernise climate control while preserving the building’s heritage, the Board looked to install a heat pump solution.

Tackling the boardroom heat challenge

Andy Jull of the Dover Harbour Board explains the operational issues. “For much of the year, the boardroom was not conducive to holding productive meetings. We needed a solution that could provide cooling in summer and responsive heating in winter, without impacting the period features or the exterior appearance of the building.” The key challenge was integrating a system discreetly: vents had to be routed from a service area through internal corridors, ensuring the boardroom’s historic aesthetics remained intact.

Choosing Daikin and a trusted installer

The decision to use Daikin was straightforward. For installation, the Board called on Gordon Jackson of Total Contracting Services Ltd, a Daikin D1-accredited installer with an established track record. “Gordon is one of our most competitive HVAC installers and I have come to trust him over the past three years. His installation team are second to none and when working on the boardroom, we needed a team we could trust.”

A sensitive, heritage-focused installation 

Gordon explains the brief from his perspective, “Our role was to provide a tailored air conditioning, heating and ventilation solution for the boardroom with the two ground-floor offices being provided with air conditioning and heating. The boardroom installation consisted of two single split wall-mounted units providing air conditioning and heating, plus a VAM unit to provided fresh air and extract, with a single split system being installed in each office to provide air conditioning and heating. Harbour House is a Grade II listed building, and one of the most historic in Dover, and Gordon and his team had to position both internal and external units according to drawings approved by English Heritage. All external services were hidden within cast iron downpipes and hoppers to blend seamlessly with the building’s appearance. As Gordon further explains: “The process took two weeks, with the cast iron elements proving more challenging than standard plastic trunking. But thanks to some careful planning, the installation was relatively straightforward and very successful.” 

Blygold for coastal property protection

As part of the installation, all condensers delivered to the Port were specified with a Blygold protective coating, a standard requirement due to the harsh coastal environment, where sea spray in the air is highly corrosive. Blygold treatment is applied to provide a durable barrier against environmental contaminants, helping to prevent corrosion, maintain system performance, and extend the lifespan of the equipment while reducing ongoing maintenance needs.

Immediate comfort and usability

The impact on day-to-day use was immediate. “Fresh air, with a responsive temperature setting, has transformed the boardroom,” says Andy. “It is now much more comfortable, making it easier for everyone to concentrate during meetings. The new minimalist décor and lighter furniture complete the transformation, giving the room the look and feel of a contemporary business setting.” The heating has been noticeably responsive over the winter, outperforming the old radiators, and the boardroom is now fully booked for summer meetings, where previously alternatives had to be sought.

Sustainability and future planning

Environmental considerations were also central to the decision. The system uses R-32 refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential than R-410a. Andy explains, “Moving to efficient electric heating aligns with the Port’s 2030 Carbon Net Zero plan. Although it is early days for measuring energy savings in a single room, the system’s efficiency and reduced carbon impact reflect the Harbour Board’s wider corporate responsibility goals.”

A rewarding project for all involved

For Total Contracting Services, the project was highly satisfying. Gordon reflects, “It was a challenging and rewarding project for our engineers, combining technical precision with heritage sensitivity. The Daikin solution provided the performance the client required while respecting the building’s character.” The Board’s preference for Daikin equipment, combined with TCS’s installation expertise, ensured a seamless integration of heating, cooling, and ventilation.

A space transformed

Today, Harbour House’s Boardroom demonstrates what can be achieved when heritage spaces are paired with modern HVAC technology. Meetings can proceed comfortably in all seasons, the aesthetics of the room are preserved, and the system supports sustainability objectives. Andy sums it up: “The boardroom now feels like a contemporary business setting, but it retains its historic gravitas. The Daikin heat pump has completely transformed the space.”