ST HELEN'S SCHOOL, STEM BUILDING, NORTHWOOD - Darke & Taylor

St Helen’s School, Stem Building, Northwood
Darke & Taylor were engaged to deliver the full electrical installation for the new STEM Centre at St Helen’s School. The modern facility includes workshops, IT rooms, and classrooms, designed to support advanced learning in science and technology. Our works included power distribution, lighting, data systems, and the installation of PV panels to enhance the building’s energy efficiency.

Project challenges

CABLE MANAGEMENT

A fit-out contractor responsible for furnishing IT rooms had overlooked cable management, as it was not integrated into the furniture design.

Solution: To address this, we retrofitted a bespoke containment system, ensuring both power and IT connectivity were readily accessible from all desk locations. This included implementing an under-desk containment solution to maintain a clean and efficient setup.

ROUTING AND CONCEALMENT

The routing and concealment of services were carefully coordinated with the installation of acoustic perforated boarding. The process involved first installing the wiring, followed by the acoustic boarding, while ensuring that all cabling remained easily identifiable.

Solution: Using laser levels, Darke & Taylor precisely set out the cable locations, enabling seamless pull-through without compromising the perforated ceiling. Precision was critical, as there was no margin for error.

RELOCATION OF UNDERGROUND SERVICES

The project required the relocation of existing underground services to accommodate the new LRC structure.

Solution: This involved conducting a comprehensive survey of existing routes, performing ground scans, and strategically re-feeding or diverting services to ensure they remained clear of the new structure’s vicinity. This careful planning and execution minimized the risk of power outages and ensured uninterrupted service.

Gallery

“Darke & Taylor precisely set out the cable locations, enabling seamless pull-through without compromising the perforated ceiling. Precision was critical, as there was no margin for error.”

Technical overview

The STEM Building at St Helens School was a new build project to provide them with state of the art workshop spaces for Design & Technology, complete with large teaching spaces throughout the first floor.

Our scope of works included new LV distribution systems throughout, including dedicated distribution to each workshop, complete with emergency shut off power compatibility. Small power systems to dedicated tool and appliance rigs within workshops and tailored power systems to all classroom and office spaces.

LED lighting was co-ordinated with exposed services and acoustic raft ceilings to provide each space with a dimmable lighting controlled system for energy saving capabilities.

Solar PV Array was installed to all pitched sections of the STEM Building roof to make the building as sustainable as possible.

Fully addressable Fire Alarm system and Intruder Alarm was designed and installed to ensure a secure and safe environment, complete with a CAT 6 data/telecoms network throughout the new build, integrated into the schools existing network.