Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos, has designed, manufactured and supplied modular power and lighting distribution systems for Birmingham City Council’s new flagship workplace.
Birmingham City Council’s new 10 Woodcock Street office, located next to Aston University, is the council’s largest single investment in a new staff workplace in over a century and includes seven sustainability features, including rainwater harvesting and a brown roof for wildlife. It will be home to 2,200 fixed desks over five storeys together with a further 500 ‘touchdown’ work areas within the building to enable maximum flexibility of the space.
Modular Wiring Systems has designed, manufactured off-site and supplied multi-functional power and lighting distribution systems with standard Point to Point and switching, and DALI control for the new offices.
Unlike standard builds where the distribution systems are installed from the bottom up with cables running under false ceilings, the Woodcock Street office installation has been a top to bottom installation. Power is fed from above and cables have been run through raised flooring as there are no false ceilings. The second floor was a particular challenge, with all cabling fed under an acoustic canopy.
The sustainability factor inherent in a modular wiring system was well suited for the 10 Woodcock Street office. As the system is manufactured off-site, there is no requirement for cutting and fabrication on-site, thus reducing wastage, as well as cost. An added benefit of prefabrication is quality control, as the entire system is manufactured off-site in a factory controlled environment.
