Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
MEP Systems Design — Mixed-Use Office & Retail Complex, Kampala
Overview:
Cadron Consult provided full electrical and mechanical services design for a mixed-use development in Kampala comprising a retail podium and office floors. The developer required energy-efficient, code-compliant building services fully coordinated with the architectural and structural designs, and a tender package that would support competitive procurement.
Approach:
The team carried out electrical load assessments and cooling-load modelling to size the power and HVAC installations, specifying a VRF air-conditioning system with heat-recovery ventilation and LED lighting with daylight zoning. Standby generation and UPS provision were designed for critical loads, alongside fire detection and suppression systems and water services with borehole backup and solar hot water. All services were coordinated in a BIM environment, with clash detection run against the structural and architectural models before drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities were issued.
Technical specifications:
Electrical: 800 kVA supply with standby generator and UPS for critical loads
Mechanical: VRF air conditioning with heat-recovery ventilation
Fire safety: addressable detection, hydrants, hose reels, and sprinkler provision
Plumbing: borehole backup, rainwater harvesting, and solar hot water
Coordination: BIM-based clash detection across all services
Results:
The services design passed statutory approvals on first submission and the coordinated drawings significantly reduced on-site clashes and variations during construction. Energy modelling projected savings of around 35% against a conventional baseline through the VRF system, heat recovery, and daylight-zoned LED lighting. The complete tender package enabled competitive procurement, and the developer retained Cadron Consult for construction-stage MEP supervision.
9,000 m²
of gross floor area serviced
35%
projected energy savings against a baseline design
800 kVA
installed electrical supply with standby power
