Kao Park is a newly redeveloped science and technology hub within the Harlow Enterprise Zone in Essex, a strategic location in the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor. The site has a long history of innovation and discovery, most notably the invention of fibre-optic cable in the mid-1960s.
The Park’s centrepiece is its four state-of-the-art data centres, built in four phases by JCA Engineering. We undertook the substructure and civils package on Phase I, having previously assisted JCA Engineering with budgeting and programme assistance prior to the contract award.
The works comprised site clearance and new roads, drainage and services ahead of construction of the first data centre. Our scope also included reinforced concrete pile caps and ground beams and S278 works. The scheme involved 2900m of service trenching for HV and data cables, plus RC structures to contain service ducts below the building footprint. Alter in the process, we undertook the placement and power float finishing of over 5800m2 of concrete floor to the upper levels that house the data halls.
Our integrated approach and close cooperation with a new client delivered the project on time, and secured our position as JCA Engineering’s preferred groundworks contractor for future contracts.