In other words, you can have two floors for data halls in a 20 metre planning envelope.. A fundamental reassessment of the integration of cooling systems and structure, and optimised M&E services zones through close coupling of electrical and mechanical systems will yield geometric reductions that can reduce floor to floor height.

(You can read more about P-DfMA.The step change achievable with P-DfMA is in bringing the benefits of standardisation across all services and to the entire building – and adding value at every stage.

P-DfMA sees the project as a whole, understanding the positive and negative effect of each design decision on as many other aspects of the project as possible; seeking shared efficiencies between all elements of the building.This is unlike traditional design and build, where a project is often more like a linear series of separate tasks, where consequences can be passed down the chain..So unlike in standard construction, M&E system requirements – initial and on-going – are factored in from the start, in minute detail, as an integral part of the design.

We include routing and fixings in the design of the fabric of the building, with precision, so as to minimise on-site adjustment and facilitate installation.We maximise the use of off-site pre-fabrication, and share elements across M&E services as much as is practicable..

This approach means that, for M&E services, as well as across the whole project, we reduce cost, time, materials and waste, while increasing quality, worker safety and overall efficiency..

It is Bryden Wood’s integrated approach – where our M&E team forms a core part of the project team – that makes this possible.. M&E design at the Forge: a working example.Office buildings that already provide these facilities may be more cost-effective overall..

Complications can arise where elevators, corridors, and external areas used to store or transport critical, sensitive, expensive, hazardous, or large volumes of materials are then shared with office or other lab tenancies.In some cases these issues will be covered by regulations and can therefore impact health and safety or quality compliance.

Further considerations include containment and contamination control, building security and opening times (e.g.for 24/7 lab operations), shared lab functions (e.g.