Emma Cons Hall, Morley College, London
Restoring a Landmark Performance Space
Morley College London’s iconic Emma Cons Hall has reopened following a major refurbishment, restoring the historic performance space while upgrading it to meet modern expectations for comfort, flexibility and sustainability. Located on Westminster Bridge Road in London, the project balanced architectural sensitivity with the technical demands of a contemporary performance venue.
Swegon supported the project by providing an air distribution solution capable of maintaining occupant comfort throughout the space, despite its challenging geometry and varied usage patterns.
Designing for Height, Volume and Comfort
Emma Cons Hall is defined by its high ceilings and large open volume, characteristics that are central to its role as a performance space but which present clear challenges for environmental control. Achieving consistent thermal comfort without excessive energy use required careful consideration of air movement, particularly to avoid temperature stratification during heating operation.
Working alongside Overbury, Progressive Design Solutions Ltd and IM Mechanical and Electrical, the solution also needed to perform effectively across different operating modes, ensuring comfort during both heating and cooling cycles while remaining discreet within the refurbished interior.
Adaptive Air Distribution Through Intelligent Modelling
To address these requirements, Swegon FALCON HF air diffusers were selected to provide adaptable air distribution suited to the hall’s operational demands.
Heating and cooling airflow patterns were modelled using Swegon’s RUD (Room Unit Design) software, allowing system performance to be assessed in advance and reducing the risk of stratification within the space. This modelling approach enabled the project team to validate the design and ensure even temperature distribution throughout the occupied zone, despite the hall’s height and volume.
The FALCON HF units automatically modulate their air pattern depending on the operating mode:
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Horizontal air distribution during cooling, supporting effective mixing without draughts
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Vertical air distribution during heating, directing warm air down into the occupied zone
This modulation is achieved while maintaining a constant pressure drop, supporting stable system operation and energy-efficient performance.
Delivering Performance for Every Event
The completed installation delivers a comfortable, adaptable indoor environment that supports the wide range of performances and events hosted within Emma Cons Hall. Through close collaboration between Overbury, the design team and Swegon, the solution provides:
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Consistent thermal comfort across the occupied space
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Reduced risk of temperature stratification
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Efficient operation across heating and cooling modes
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A solution appropriate for a refurbished, architecturally sensitive building
The project demonstrates how intelligent air distribution design and early-stage modelling can enhance comfort and performance in complex, high-ceilinged performance spaces.
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