// OFFSITE STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS


Algeco UK is ahead of the curve with GRIDSERVE project


Modular building design is rapidly- evolving, thanks to the development of new techniques and technologies that enable boundaries to be continuously pushed and clients’ expectations to be exceeded, as standard.


A


s a result, what was once impossible is now possible. And what was once a vision is now fast becoming a reality. This includes GRIDSERVE’s vision for its fourth Electric Forecourt®, which was designed and delivered by Algeco UK and opened in Stevenage at the end of last year.


GRIDSERVE wanted a modern-looking, two-floor building that reflected its image as a forward- thinking and innovative company. The structure not only needed to be visually appealing, but highly practical due to the fact it would also incorporate facilities, including a manned coffee outlet and an unmanned supermarket.


Ultimately, the building needed to provide ample space for drivers to charge their electric vehicles and, while this is happening, somewhere for them to relax over a coffee and/or buy groceries within a clean, safe and modern environment.


The building also needed to incorporate seven curved sides


Creating the curved sides created a whole host of challenges that mainly stemmed from the fact volumetric design tends to be modular and rectangular - up until now.


“The curves on all four sides of the building and over the vaulted roof posed many challenges, particularly in relation to the tolerances that were experienced while curving the hot-rolled frames at 500°C+ temperatures,” explains Algeco UK’s Senior Design Manager, Paul Beard, who has been working in modular design for 16 years.


“We tend to use cold-rolled steel, but for this particular project, a combination of hot and cold steel was required, and it needed to be at the optimum temperature, so that the curved panels were exactly right.


“The external cladding also had to be in millimetre perfect alignment with the curves to achieve an overall flawless finish.”


The structure, which was the first of its type for Algeco UK due to the highly unique curved nature of the design, was based on Algeco UK’s IBEX modular unit and built at its Carnaby factory.


About IBEX – at a glance


IBEX is a permanent modular building system consisting of modules that are delivered pre- assembled, ready to be finalised on-site. It can be used as a standalone modular building system or combined with Algeco UK’s Hybrid system for an optimised solution with minimal disruption and efficient delivery.


A total of 24 modular units, each measuring 4 x 10 metres, were used to construct the Electric Forecourt®, which officially opened in November last year. The ground floor of the building, which spans 4,247 sq ſt, features a grocery retail outlet and coffee shop that drivers can use while their cars are charging.


There is no shortage of available charging stations on the site, which boasts 30 EV charging bays, including 24 high power bays with up to 360kW of power – some of the fastest chargers publicly


available today, capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in ten minutes. There are also two accessible spaces and two parent-and-child spaces.


Meanwhile, up on level two, which covers 4,236 sq ſt, there is an EV experience area and airport-style lounge.


GRIDSERVE is best known for opening the UK’s first Electric Forecourt® in Braintree in 2020 and has since opened Electric Forecourts® in Norwich and London Gatwick Airport.


Julian Foster, Chief Operating Officer at GRIDSERVE said: “Being able to deliver reliable charging quickly and efficiently helps us on our mission to give drivers the confidence to switch to EV.


“However, building an Electric Forecourt® is not just about infrastructure; it’s about paving the way for a sustainable future. This project demonstrates our commitment to innovation, net zero energy and a greener world for generations to come.”


Part of the Modulaire Group, Algeco UK has been successfully delivering permanent offsite schemes and temporary modular buildings for more than 60 years. Algeco Offsite Solutions is one of the leading providers of roadside modular shops and drive-thru restaurants in the UK, working with some of the biggest brands, such as McDonalds and Starbucks. Its advanced factory production process and turnkey solutions mean that fully- fitted modular shops and restaurants – built offsite - can be completed on-site within a few weeks.


www.algeco.co.uk


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Winter 2025 M34


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