Location: West India Quay, London E14
Sector: Residential / Public Realm
Project Overview
Located in the heart of London’s Docklands adjacent to Canary Wharf, this residential apartment tower required the urgent replacement of its failing video intercom and access control systems. The project also included upgrades to underground car park access and secure resident entry systems.
The existing infrastructure had become increasingly unreliable, with ageing equipment, unavailable replacement parts, and ongoing security concerns affecting both the residential blocks and shared-use parking areas. Future Group was appointed to deliver a modern, resilient, and secure replacement system with minimal disruption to residents and building operations.
The Challenge
The development presented a number of technical and logistical challenges due to the age of the existing infrastructure and the occupied nature of the building.
The original intercom and access control systems were suffering from repeated failures, while obsolete hardware meant replacement parts were no longer available. Existing entrance panels also needed to be replaced within the same physical locations to preserve the aesthetics of the building entrances.
Key challenges included:
- Ageing cabling infrastructure across the development
- Ongoing security breaches affecting residential blocks and car park areas
- Obsolete access control hardware with no available replacement parts
- Requirement to maintain the appearance of existing entrance areas
- Minimal system downtime within a fully occupied residential building
- Rapid deployment of a new intercom and access control system for 160 apartments
- Integration of concierge communication for shared-use car park access
The Solution
Future Group designed and implemented a fully upgraded smart video intercom and high-security access control solution tailored to the operational needs of the site.
Works included:
- Installation of a new 4G-enabled video intercom system allowing residents to receive video calls directly to their smartphones
- Integration of high-security access control systems for main residential entrances
- Dedicated concierge intercom systems for visitor access to shared-use parking areas
- Deployment of new high-security remote access systems for residential vehicle entry
- Off-site pre-programming of all equipment to minimise installation time and disruption
- Distribution of resident access credentials and tokens prior to installation
- Phased implementation strategy to maintain building security throughout the upgrade process
To preserve the appearance of the building, bespoke panel surrounds were manufactured and installed following completion of the system replacement works.
The Results
The project was delivered successfully within an accelerated programme, with all on-site works completed in just seven days.
Project outcomes included:
- Fully upgraded smart video intercom and access control infrastructure
- Secure smartphone-based resident video entry functionality
- Improved security across residential entrances and underground parking areas
- Minimal disruption and downtime throughout the installation process
- Enhanced operational reliability and long-term system resilience
- Seamless phased replacement ensuring site security was maintained at all times
- Bespoke entrance finishes preserving the appearance of the development
The success of the project was supported by excellent collaboration with the property management team, whose coordination and responsiveness helped ensure the rapid deployment and commissioning of the new system.
