Work on the London East expansion continues at pace as we head into February, with sizable progress made on the first stage of the envelope.
This allows us to see the various spaces within the new footprint realised for the first time, as the walls for the data halls, access corridors, and all other areas begin to section off the internal space.
Let’s get straight to it with the updates:
A final look across to the completed mezzanine ahead of the envelope works getting underwayThe column casings were the final element of the mezzanine installation, which are for fire protection and to provide a matching finish for the wall systemThe top surface of the mezzanine has now had its protective coating laid down, which will be covered by the raised floor in due courseHere’s another view of the insulated coverings which block off the skylights, which will be further covered by the hung ceilings in due courseThe first delivery of the Eurobond wall system arriving on-site, which is the same system deployed in the current footprint at NLEThere’s around 15 tons of wall panels as part of the envelope within the new expansionThe wall panels are stored in pre-marked stacks based on their installation location, ahead of customisation (where required) and fitmentHaving the stacks pre-marked allows for each bundle to be moved to the installation area as appropriateWe’ve erected part of the heavy-duty pallet racking which will live permanently in the loading bay area of the new space – this will house various construction components and materials during the buildOnce the build phase is complete, the racking will be extended, and will cover a large portion of the new loading bay areaA view of the first wall sections being installed on the first floorThis is the main corridor wall that will be home to the entrance to Data Hall 5Here we look across to the wall system installation that will enclose Data Hall 5, from the eventual location of the new meeting roomThe enclosure of Data Hall 5 continues to take shape, as the envelope installation works push aheadFor context on positioning, this view shows the space for Data Hall 5 on the left, and the current opening down into the loading bay, with the position of the temporary barriers here sat inside what will become the access corridor and loading access for the first floorThis is a view of the same area from the ground floor loading bay, which now also shows the installation of the wall for the perpendicular access corridor which will lead to the new offices, meeting room, and break out areaAnother view from what will become the cold corridor area within Data Hall 5, as works continueThis is the view from the eventual meeting room location, looking down towards the forthcoming offices, and the eventual location of the wall breach which will lead through to the break out area and additional office / NOC spaceA view of the same wall from the first floor corridor – this encloses Data Hall 5, and will become the junction point between the two first floor access corridorsThe ground floor main access corridor seen with both walls part way through installation, looking towards the breach area which will connect the ground floor to the current footprintA view of both floors progressing with access corridor walling, which will provide both entry points to the new data halls, and also level loading capabilities to each floorOngoing inspections of progress by the Netwise design team are undertaken multiple times each dayThis is the view from one of the new UPS and power distribution rooms, looking across to Data Hall 6, ahead of further access corridor walling being installed in the foregroundA view from inside Data Hall 6, with further walling stock as installation of the envelope continuesHere we see preparation ahead of the main run of enclosing wall on the first floor, which requires a custom drop mounting systemAnother view of preparation work underway, ahead of installing the next main run of wallingFurther progress on access corridors within the ground floorThe view from one of the new cable access corridors, looking across the new UPS and power distribution area ahead of further sub-division of roomsThe temporary site fencing has had additional branding applied to more clearly indicate the expansion project to visitors
We’re very pleased with progress, and the whole Netwise team is very excited to see the new space take shape in such a tangible way. The next update will show the completion of the walling phase of the envelope installation, at which point our team will begin installing first stage containment and a certian level of flood cabling, before the install of the ceilings and raised floors.
All of this work follows on from the completion of the mezzanine sub-structure, which we captured in a timelapse much like last time:
The timelapse of the mezzanine install inside of the NLE expansion, comprised of ~7,000 photos
There are plenty more updates to come, with no let up on the pace of progress at this stage, so watch this space for further updates on the expansion works. We have further updates coming soon on the final part of Phase 2 works, which will see the completion and onlining of Data Hall 3.
