CMB West are pleased to have handed over the latest addition to the city of Swansea, with the new community hub – Y Storfa – now open to the public.

CMB proudly carried out the £5.3 Million Mechanical & Electrical contract on the project and handed the building over to a satisfied client at the end of 2025.

Y Storfa has undergone a transformation from what once was a high-street department store, to now a central community hub that provides a wide range of essential public services in one central location, working to significantly enhance community engagement, education, employment and preservation of heritage. The modern, multi-purpose facility has already become a focal part of the city with huge numbers using the facility in its opening week and even went on to be recognised with the Fit-out/Refurbishment of the Year Award at Insider Property Awards 2026.

The 78,000 sqft development boasts a number of facilities including a 2-storie library, a children’s library with sensory areas designed to support neurodivergent children, a conference space, exhibition spaces, private interview rooms, a reflection room, and a range of Council-run services including housing and benefit services, Careers Wales, West Glamorgan Archive services, South Wales Miners Library, and Citizens Advice.

We delivered a comprehensive package of mechanical and electrical services as part of this complex building refurbishment project, working closely with the main contractor, Kier, to ensure successful delivery. The mechanical scope included the installation of a highbred VRF system, domestic hot and cold-water services, heat recovery mechanical ventilation, a full sprinkler system, and an integrated Building Management System to allow effective monitoring and control of building services. In parallel, we undertook extensive electrical works, covering small power and lighting installations, lightning protection, photovoltaic systems, and structured data cabling. Life safety and security systems were also a key part of the project, with the delivery of access control, intruder alarms, CCTV, and a fully compliant fire alarm system.

As the project involved the refurbishment of an existing building, we faced the inherent challenges associated with working within an unknown structure. Limited or incomplete information regarding the original construction and existing services created a number of uncertainties, which required flexibility and proactive problem-solving throughout the programme. These unknowns had a direct impact on planning and sequencing works, making programming particularly demanding. CMB West worked collaboratively with Kier to manage these challenges, providing technical support, adapting installation strategies, and helping to reprogramme activities where necessary. Through this cooperative approach, we played a key role in overcoming unforeseen issues and ensuring that the building was successfully completed and handed over to the client in line with the planned public opening date.

This project represents a key milestone for CMB and its commitment to delivering excellence in building services engineering. As the majority of building services remain on view across the building, a high-quality finish was essential, demanding exceptional attention to detail from all on-site teams at all times.

Y Storfa is the latest addition to the growing number of projects CMB have delivered for Swansea Council in the last few years, as part of their regeneration scheme. From Swansea Arena and Seren Student Accommodation, to 71/72 The Kingsway and several additions to the Swansea University Bay Campus, we are proud to play a role in the city’s infrastructural growth.