The project was delivered within Diageo’s active production facility, meaning the build had to be carefully planned to avoid disrupting day-to-day operations. Site access was limited, with tight boundaries and ongoing staff movement nearby. Elite’s pre-engineered modular approach enabled much of the construction to take place off-site,
reducing vehicle movements, noise, and safety risks. On-site works were carefully phased and executed within a compact footprint, ensuring minimal impact on Diageo’s operational continuity.

With no access to ground-level foul drainage infrastructure, the project demanded a nonstandard drainage solution. A custom roof-level system was designed, featuring a dedicated pump capable of managing wastewater efficiently from the testing and preparation areas. This approach ensured full compliance with hygiene and environmental regulations, while allowing the facility to operate independently of traditional site drainage networks.

Creating a physical link between the new modular facility and Diageo’s existing structure required exacting precision. Key alignment factors, such as floor levels, ceiling heights, and door openings, had to match perfectly to ensure both functional flow and compliance with accessibility standards. This was achieved through coordinated digital design, rigorous quality checks, and precise on-site execution.

The site’s fixed canopy structure severely limited vertical access, ruling out conventional craning methods for module placement. To overcome this, Elite developed a bespoke “skating” installation strategy, modules were offloaded, pre-connected at ground level, and gradually skated into their final position using precisionguided
movement. This solution required extensive logistical coordination and highlighted the adaptability of the modular approach in constrained environments.

Diageo required the facility to be operational within a short timeframe to align with internal project schedules. To meet this, the modules were manufactured, fitted out, and quality-checked offsite while groundworks were simultaneously completed on-site. This dual-track approach significantly compressed the construction timeline, enabling installation and commissioning to be completed ahead of schedule with zero compromise on quality or compliance.

The integrity of sensory testing relies on strict environmental control. This facility required highly specialised HVAC zoning to prevent odour transfer, temperature fluctuations, and airflow crosscontamination between the preparation area, booths, and meeting room. Delivering this level of control within a compact modular layout
presented a significant challenge, solved through bespoke ducting, system separation, and close collaboration with environmental engineers.