Barclays Capital

Barclays Capital - Project Endeavour

Barclays Capital delivers integrated financing and risk management solutions to worldwide corporate, government and institutional clients. The existing headquarters building was designed and fitted out over a decade ago to standards appropriate at the time but has gradually used up excess space, power and cooling. This presented the business with a considerable challenge on how to expand its activities without the need to undergo massive re-investment in new premises.

The target was to create a further two trading floors on levels 3 and 4 and provide for ample power, UPS and back up generation. Barcap Engineering commissioned Powermode ISS who in turn adopted an innovative approach by unearthing space for critical plant, in the previously ignored low height undercroft and even more amazingly, above the very busy loading bay. Within 24 hours of being approached, Powermode ISS had assembled a tried and tested team of professionals to carry out due diligence surveys, prepare outline scheme designs and investigate the various planning, licensing and permission issues. Over the course of the next six months millions of pounds of equipment and services were procured and installed including 100 tonnes of support steelwork, on which to support the generators, 50 tonnes of low voltage switchgear and 10 tonnes of medium voltage switchgear and transformers. In addition, 40 tonnes of UPS and batteries, 55 tonnes of diesel generators together with cabling, busbars, cooling, exhausts, acoustics and associated infrastructure was carefully installed. As is the case with projects of this nature, taking place in a fully operational business environment, extreme care is of paramount importance as mistakes can be disastrous not only in terms of financial losses but also the human cost. Other challenges included, fast track timeline, cost effective management, demanding structural requirements, power availability, generator exhaust emissions and acoustics.