FES delivered the MEP and IT services for the National Robotarium, the UK’s leading facility for robotics and artificial intelligence. This purpose-built innovation hub provides advanced laboratories, offices, and flexible collaboration spaces for both academics and industry partners. The building is designed to accelerate knowledge and practical applications in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Human and Robot Interaction, and Precision Laser Applications.

A standout feature of the facility is the central atrium, or forum, a 247m² multi-functional open space that encourages collaboration and interaction. The site also includes 12 pressurised laboratories, each with dedicated ventilation and environmental controls, alongside specialist gas monitoring systems to support safe and precise research.

We delivered a full suite of mechanical, electrical, and IT systems, including:

• High- and low-voltage distribution, general and emergency lighting, and solar PV
• Mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning, underfloor heating, and chilled water cooling
• Laboratory gas systems, fume extract, compressed air, and specialist laboratory ventilation
• Fire and security systems, lightning protection, BMS, and metering
• EV charging stations and data infrastructure with secured containment

We delivered the project on time and on budget, leading to direct engagement for subsequent fit outs of management office spaces, reflecting the university’s satisfaction with service quality.  Key challenges included restricted external plant space and fully exposed building services, which required careful 3-D coordination and high-level workmanship to maintain both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the building’s BMS and digital metering provide real-time monitoring for effective energy management.

FES was appointed by Robertson Construction as the MEP delivery partner for the BioHub, a landmark development within Aberdeen’s Foresterhill Health Campus.  The facility is one of Europe’s largest integrated clinical, research, and teaching sites. Opened in 2023, BioHub is designed to foster collaboration between academia, healthcare, and industry, providing world-class facilities that can support up to 400 scientific entrepreneurs and help double the number of life sciences companies in the region by 2027.

As a hub for innovation and enterprise, BioHub offers bespoke laboratory and office space, incubation facilities for start-ups, and dedicated areas for training and collaboration. We played a key role in enabling the building’s high-performance and sustainable design, delivering all mechanical and electrical building services installations. In response to local infrastructure constraints, the facility operates entirely without reliance on natural gas, instead utilising air source heat pumps and electric boilers to meet all heating and hot water requirements, demonstrating a strong commitment to low-carbon operation and energy efficiency.

In collaboration with Robertson Construction, FES contributed to meaningful community benefits throughout the project’s delivery. This included providing work placements, three of which led directly to new electrical apprenticeships launched on the BioHub project. Through this combination of technical excellence and social value, FES is proud to have supported a development that is driving Scotland’s life sciences sector forward while investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.

FES was proud to be appointed as the Mechanical and Electrical Contractor to the University of Strathclyde’s £89m Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow city centre.

The Technology and Innovation Centre brought together academics, researchers and project managers from the university and its leading industrial partners in the search for solutions to challenges in sectors central to economic regeneration in Scotland as well as power and energy, health and advanced engineering. It is the first Centre of its kind in Europe and will become the cornerstone of the International Technology and Renewable Energy Zone – Scotland’s hub for global green energy developments.

The triangular, nine-storey, steel-framed building was constructed on a 260,000 sq ft brownfield city centre site adjacent to the University over an 87-week period.  It includes open plan offices, three lecture theatres and specialist laboratory space. The facility was built to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ‘A’ rating standards – the industry’s highest energy-efficiency standard.

FES was fully responsible for leading the 3D modelling for the overall project, including all MEP Services and other third party co-ordination including FF&E. FES scope included engineering, drafting and installation of various aspects including contractor design, manufacture and assembly of complex service modules, thermal expansion of wet services and brackets / supports.

Detailed drafting / CAD drawings for offsite manufacture was a difficult challenge as traditional installation works were recognised as being uneconomical and inefficient in this type of building structure. The programme of works for the project was also extremely challenging, and site resources had to be strategically planned taking into account the number of other trades and financial budgets.

With early workshop design meetings involving both the architect and services consultant we were able to develop and introduce our ideas to make our installations streamlined and efficient. A fully interactive 3D model was controlled by FES. These meetings and workshops were critical to ensure full co-ordination and that architectural requirements were agreed up front by updating the 3D model on a weekly basis for project reference.

Early internal meetings were held to agree our project delivery strategy and we were able to determine our engineering works into specific phases of the building to match the overall construction programme, these were created by the FES ‘site team’ prior to producing working drawings for co-ordination and ultimately manufacture at our off site facility located in Stirling.

The full scope of works included:

HV & LV Distribution, Standby Generator, Photo-voltaic, Small Power, Lighting, Emergency Lighting, External Lighting, Lighting Control, IT Cabling, AV Systems, Fire & Security, Sprinklers, Heating Systems, Water Services, Dry Risers, Drainage, Ventilation, Smoke Vents, Fume Extract Systems, Compressed Air, Specialist Gasses and AC Systems.

FES is proud to have been selected as Main Contractor to deliver a brand new state-of-the-art data centre to support one of the largest universities in the South of England.

The construction of the new Primary Data Centre entailed the redevelopment of an existing building. The existing industrial until built circa 1995 comprised 2×750 m2 halls and 680 m2 office space under a single portal frame roof structure.

The scheme provided a Tier II data centre supporting circa 700 kw IT Load across 73 racks, to be via in row cooling (LCP) rake based units general cooling as otherwise required.

The requirement included: the design, installation and commissioning of all supporting services including HV and LV supplies, UPS, generators, cooling systems, BMS, fire alarm, fire suppression. The ICT specialist fit out was also included as part of the contract and was installed by FES Communications Division.

Building works entailed the construction of new internal structure and compartmentation to form the new data hall and other internal plant areas.  The new operational areas include a ‘disaster recovery room’ and general office accommodation. An external plant compound to house cooling plant, generators, fuel storage and associated supporting equipment was also designed and constructed.

External works also included reconfiguration of the external car park and provision of security elements to protect the new asset. FES provided the full turnkey solution utilising in-house services.