Dukesway Phase 3, Gateshead

Dukesway Phase 3 was a project to transform an empty warehouse into a modern, high-tech engineering facility, complete with several overhead gantry cranes that required specialist power supplies and control systems.

The building started as an empty warehouse, and the incoming power supply was not what the new use required. SDE led a team to upgrade the supply to the premises in line with the client's requirements.

Delivery depended on the interfaces as much as the design. SDE ensured efficient communication between the structural and architectural teams so the project completed within the required timescale.

Gantry cranes are what make the electrical design specialist rather than routine. Travelling supplies, the control and interlock arrangement, and the starting characteristics of the crane motors all bear on the supply design, and the crane's structural support and travel envelope have to be agreed with the structural engineer before the distribution serving it can be positioned.

A change of use from warehouse to manufacturing also changes what the building is assessed against — occupancy, escape lighting, alarm coverage and small power density all move together, and none of it is served by the installation the empty building came with.

Upgrades were made to the lighting system, with high-bay LED luminaires installed in the warehouse manufacturing facility and modular recessed LED lighting in the office areas.

The project also included works to the large external courtyard and car park, with new high-output LED floodlights installed to the building facade, accompanied by pole-mounted lantern heads. An electronic gate and intercom system was also installed.

Craig Smith was responsible for the design of the associated electrical supplies, and for liaising with the main contractor to ensure adequate underground ductwork and services trenches were allowed for.