Synecore Completes Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Virgin Holidays v-room Airside Electrical Contact

Airside Electrical contract at London Gatwick Airport, North Terminal

Working alongside interior solutions experts, Alan Nuttall Partnership, Synecore completed the electrical contract for the all-new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Virgin Holidays v-room at London Gatwick Airport.

Virgin Atlantic passengers travelling through Gatwick’s North Terminal, can now avoid the hustle and bustle of the main airport and take respite in the all-new Virgin Holidays v-room or Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. Both offer a sanctuary of “peace and complimentary cool stuff.”

The substantial space for both lounges has been divided into multi-function spaces for relaxation, eating, playing and entertainment. Fitted with comfortable seating and a wealth of technology, this is the ideal place to begin your holiday.

It took only six months to transform this airport space into a sophisticated place for relaxation and fun. Synecore played a vital role in its development. Working closely with the team at Alan Nuttall Partnership, Virgin’s Lead Designer, Matthew Davies, and a host of fellow trades, Synecore was responsible for the airside electrical contract, including BMS wiring and Smoke Damper Control installations, plus coordination of the electrical and mechanical installation.

With 15 Synecore operatives onsite, the first challenge this project posed was securing onsite access. Synecore has worked on many airside developments and is accustomed with the process.

Being an airside electrical installation, this project required precise coordination and planning to adhere to strict security regulations. Each engineer was required to complete a Gatwick Safety Awareness Training (GSAT) course, provide a DBS check and five years of employment references. All tools and equipment had to undergo rigorous safety records and delivery process.

However, the real challenge was working directly above an open and operating airport lounge. With flights taking off late at night and early morning, the lounge below was always busy. Consideration and careful planning was required to mitigate any potential disturbance to the Airport’s operations throughout.

Martin Loynds, Synecore’s Project Manager explains, “What a great project to be involved in. Yes, the end result is genuinely stunning, but the process was also really enjoyable and challenging. We had to be on top form throughout and demonstrate out collaborative ethos to play our part in the success of the project as a whole.”

The Airside Electrical Contract – Coordination and Installation

Synecore’s in-house electrical design team carefully considered and coordinated the electrical installation for the Virgin Lounge and V Room. Our remit for the project involved:

• Distribution
• Lighting
• Lighting Control System
• Emergency lighting
• Small power
• Mechanical equipment power
• Mechanical control
• Automatic window blind supplies
• Smoke damper power and control

Energy efficient controls

For such a large project, a central control system for all the lighting and mechanical equipment was essential. We used an iLight system by Eaton to increase efficiency and optimise performance throughout the two lounge areas.

Lighting and entertainment equipment

The new v-room offers a rich array of luxurious design and nifty entertainment facilities, including interactive screens, X-boxes with Kinnect and a photobooth for the kid’s dedicated play zone. Therefore, the electrical design needed to be well planned and installed with great precision.

Throughout the v-room and the Clubhouse, atmospheric and statement lighting were a key feature. As part of the electrical design and installation our skilled engineers fitted cabling and installed a variety of statement pendent lights, spot lights and recessed LED strip lighting.

Fire alarm system

Fire safety in an airport must be highly efficient. We took the lead in communication with the airport’s engineering department to ensure there was a safe supply and connection from the Clubhouse and v-room Fire Alarm Interfaces to the airports much larger, main system.

A few words from the designer

The project’s contemporary design was created by Virgin Atlantic’s lead Designer, Matthew Davies, with support from Shoreditch based Interior Design studio, Campaign.

“In any project this size there was always going to be a significant number of challenges, but I, along with the wider teams at Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays couldn’t be happier with the outcome of our new home at Gatwick Airport.

“Through the businesses’ passion for creativity we had proposed a wide array of new technology and lighting, but Synecore approached all tasks and challenges created during the install, with the same enthusiasm and expertise.

“Martin and his team have done a great job and I’m delighted to say everything is being well received by our passengers since we opened in January 2017.”

In total, the project took six months from start to finish. Now Virgin customers from around the globe can enjoy the luxury and high-tech facilities, while relaxing in the atmospherically lit area on offer at Gatwick’s North Terminal.

To find out more about Synecore’s Electrical Contracting Services please contact our team.