Providing crucial engineering support for a modular, mixed-use high-rise

The Mercian - MEP Design

Embracing modular construction, the UK’s leading developer and operator of build-to rent housing, Moda Living, set out to create a landmark 42-storey, 481-apartment development in Birmingham’s city centre. We joined the project during RIBA Stage 3, providing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design under Imtech, the mechanical and electrical sub-contractor to John Sisk and Son.

Moda Living has prided itself on The Mercian embracing the full efficiency and sustainability benefits from off-site, modular construction. As a result, our MEP design includes installation drawings for plant rooms, risers, and horizontal distribution built off-site on skids and transported to site.

We liaised with a number of specialists involved in the build, including the off-site manufacturers, so that elements would match and fit, without modifications, when brought to site and installed. We co-ordinated the services installation sequence so that once prefabricated units were delivered and installed, they wouldn’t need to be moved again to install services behind them.

We designed a mixed-mode ventilation system and all other services to improve the energy efficiency and environmental quality within the communal areas. We also provided thermal environmental and energy modelling for natural and mechanical ventilation of the apartments and other spaces to support a high focus on sustainable forms of heating and cooling. Our modelling also included renewable energy assessment and carbon dioxide emission prediction.

Designed exclusively for rent, The Mercian features dedicated communal space including a residents’ lounge, gym and fitness studios, leisure space, and a rooftop running circuit. It also includes 250 co-working spaces with private meeting rooms and on-site technology support. The tower itself sits on a podium that contains managed workspace in addition to retail space and a cycle hub.