Trunking keeps Pace with prestigious project

28-05-2014

Architect: GSS Architecture
Consultant: Desco
Electrical Contractor: McVickers Electrical Contractors
Distributor: Edmundsons Electrical Durham

The impressive refurbishment of the Pace Building within Durham University’s Palace Green Library demonstrates how well-specified cable management can enhance the final look of a project. The 1960s part-listed Pace Building unites wood, exposed steelwork, concrete and glass to provide university students with a beautifully executed modern, hi-tech environment in which to do research and to study.

Each of the many desks within the library have power delivered by charcoal-coloured Sterling Profile 1 dado trunking where a perimeter cable management solution was required.

Project mechanical and electrical building design consultant Desco, based in Sunderland, turned to Marshall-Tufflex, a brand name with which it is familiar, to provide cable containment that combined looks and performance and was in-line with GSS Architecture’s requirement for trunking to suit the architectural aesthetic of the building. Sterling Profile delivered the required style, colour and finish for the project together with functionality: as well as looking good the 167x50mm trunking has three segregated compartments that can be further sub-divided as required, making it an attractive and flexible solution. The second key requirement of the project was an underfloor power delivery solution suited to the open plan environment of the building. For this Marshall-Tufflex’s Series 507 in-screed floor distribution system was specified.

All Marshall-Tufflex products were supplied by Edmundson Electrical, Durham, and installed by McVickers Electrical Contractors, Sunderland.

Dating from the 15th Century, Palace Green Library is a group of buildings that house the university’s Special Collection libraries and archives. Named after its original architect, George Pace, the Pace Building was constructed in the 1960s and combines the design detail of the period with traditional building materials of its historic surroundings. The Pace Building refurbishment is part of Phase 2C, the largest yet of a phased programme of improvement works for Durham University. The refurbishment provides improved facilities and includes the re-opening of the notable ‘Barker Reading Room’, with its rare archives and reading collections, within the newly upgraded research library.