Putting flexibility into shallow floor voids at Victoria House complex

Powertrack has become a common and advantageous alternative to hardwired electrical distribution networks in a wide variety of commercial environments. It offers a plug and play solution that is faster to install, more flexible and more adaptable.

For buildings where there is limited or inconsistent floor void depth, a conventional powertrack system is not always viable because there is insufficient space for the tap-offs to connect to the top of the track. Hub systems, such as a 32A Power Hub (designed and manufactured by CMD’s UK factory in Rotherham) overcome this issue by delivering a low-profile solution with tap-offs that connect to the sides of the hub unit.

It was the ideal response for the refurbishment of Grade II listed Victoria House in London, a nine-storey neoclassical building originally constructed in the 1920s. Acquired by co-working company, LABS, the landmark building is currently being refurbished by TSK with interior fit-out undertaken by Run Interiors. The project will see the ground floor converted for leisure and retail purposes and levels one to nine upgraded as contemporary offices that preserve the character and heritage of the building, while offering spacious, open-plan layouts and 21st century connectivity.

Under-floor solution

LABS is known for the high quality of its interior fit out and the contemporary look and feel of its office environments; a strong brand differentiator which the company was keen to replicate at Victoria House, which will feature high calibre engineered timber floors, exposed high level services and a spacious, open plan layout.

The spaciousness of the 300,000 sq ft accommodation is not reflected in the floor void, however, in some locations, is as little as 50mm. The refurbishment project includes retention of the existing floor and a plug and play powertrack system was preferred for speed of installation, cost, future flexibility and ease of maintenance. It was clear, however, that conventional powertrack would not be viable.

Mark Bacon from the project’s M&E Consultancy, Scotch Partners, explains: “We were originally looking at CMD’s Betatrak powertrack system for the project but it became clear that it would not fit in some locations, despite scabbling of the slab in some areas to maximise the available void.

“The CMD team worked with us to develop an alternative power distribution design based on a 32A Power Hub system, which enables four tap-offs to be located on the side of shallow Hub units. These Hub units will be used to create an underfloor distribution network, enabling us to utilise familiar technology in a different format.”

The four tap-offs on each Hub unit ensure that each workstation location has plenty of power capacity to cope with the electrical load of multiple devices on each desk, along with sufficient redundant capacity to allow for potential additional load requirements in the future. Each tap-off connects to a flexible metal conduit, which deliver power locally to the required locations across the floorplate via grommets in the floor.

Although a conventional powertrack would have been viable for some areas of the building, it quickly became apparent that the Power Hub system would offer additional benefits for the project. The interior design includes sealing the floor void with engineered timber flooring, which means that maintenance of the underfloor power distribution network, or any future modifications, will have to be carried out via the grommets.

Mark continues: “The grommets are flush to the floor and lock away the under-floor services neatly, but also provide access to the Hub units in the void. This means that the electrical distribution network will be easy to maintain or upgrade as occupiers’ needs change.”

Under-desk power system

Once the electrical supply comes up through the grommets, it will feed Rotasoc units, manufactured by CMD and located under each workstation, before connecting to desktop power modules.

The Rotasoc units utilise 32A busbar technology to create robust sockets that rotate a full 3600 without losing contact. The Rotasoc units form part of a modular under-desk power distribution system that can provide power, data and circuit protection in a customisable plug and play format for each desk.

“The combination of the 32A busbar Hub system and modular Rotasoc under-desk system have given us the design flexibility to create a scheme that brings the distribution network direct to the desk, while working with the existing fabric of the building and ensuring a legacy of ease of maintenance and modifications”, says Mark.

Levels one to nine of Victoria House will be upgraded to contemporary offices

3D illustration of a Power Hub

Fast track installation

The Power Hub and Rotasoc power systems have helped to fast track the installation at Victoria House, with the Cat A and CAT B fit outs already completed for levels four and five, currently underway for levels two, three and six, and soon to begin on levels seven to nine. In total, 828 32A Hub units have been installed so far, with 1100 tap-offs, and a rolling release is scheduled for completion next year.

CMD, cmd-ltd.com