The new Colchester Garrison is being built in two phases and construction of Phase 1 was completed in 2007. It includes every type of building needed to accommodate the Army: office space, armouries, stores, parade squares, conference rooms, a new Courts Martial Centre, multi-storey car parks for personal vehicles, and garaging for military vehicles plus more than a dozen outdoor sports pitches.

Phase 2 will also provide more living, technical and office accommodation plus a new sports centre and a medical reception facility.

Atkins were commissioned to design the Mechanical & Electrical services to the new sports hall. One of the requirements was to supply recessed boxes to accommodate general purpose and cleaning sockets, but in walls of the hall.

The walls were constructed from single breeze blocks’s which were to be left unfinished. The recessed box had to be the same size to replace standard blocks. The MOD required purpose made recessed boxes, to provide protection to the users and the electrical accessories. These units had to be tough enough to withstand sporting activities.