Royal Veterinary College: Hobday Building

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Royal Veterinary College – Hobday Building

Camden, London


Project Details



Client:

Royal Veterinary College

Project Manager:

Royal Veterinary College

Architect:

Rivington Street Studios

Contractor:

Morgan Sindall

Value:

£7.5 million

Contract Period:

49 weeks

Procurement Type:

Design & Build

Form of Contract:

JCT 2016

Project Brief

The extensive internal and external remodelling and refurbishment of the Hobday Building at the Royal Veterinary College campus in Camden, London. This major refurbishment upgraded and modernised the college’s teaching and communal facilities, which dated back to the 1930’s, to meet current and future demand for student places and to provide a modern state-of-the-art facility to rival international colleges.

Working in a fully functioning college, the remodelling works included a new dining hall, student break out spaces, new laboratories, staff rooms and offices, new WC’s, the entire replacement of an old goods lift and the installation of a new disabled access lift.


Key Challenges

The major challenge of the project was carrying out significant demolition works, strip out of existing facilities, adding new structures and making structural alterations to the existing building with no reduction in occupancy.

We would usually expect this level of works to take place in a vacated building which we had full possession of, with all utilities switched off and temporary services in place, and no concerns about deliveries or movement of people. Carrying out these works in a fully functioning live college of 600 students and 75 staff required meticulous planning, collaboration and communication from both client and site teams.

The programme was developed in phases to allow the college to remain fully operational throughout, including a fully functioning summer school.

Demolition and major structural alterations were carried out in a fully operational college which, in addition to the staff and students, housed several animals on site including two horses and two cows!

The only outside space was a thoroughfare used for all construction traffic and footfall, access to the site office and the college itself. An agreed process was in place – overseen by our logistics manager – to ensure all animals were safe and not stressed by the works, and that the site staff were safe, when the animals were moved.

From 08:00 to 08:30 and from 16:30 to 17:00 every day, they site team stood down works, cleared and cleaned the area so the animals could pass through safely with no hoist in use, no deliveries planned, no forklifts and no noisy works.

External space was extremely restricted with only one entrance shared with the college. Just-in-time deliveries were scheduled by our logistics manager, for both the construction site and the college – and across a busy cycle lane – and were all managed by our permanent gateman. Once inside the site, our telehandler unloaded materials which would either be transported by hand to the workforce or enter the building via the hoist at the back of the building.

All materials in and waste out had to pass through a space no larger than a double door. This included plasterboard, steel, timber and bricks.

The RVC’s asbestos register didn’t accurately represent the extent of the asbestos throughout the building and a demolition survey was carried out that identified a significant amount more.

The site team managed £300,000 worth of asbestos removal, which was not in the original package of works, without impacting on the programme. This was achieved through communication and collaboration with the client to compile a programme that allowed access to remove asbestos and seal off areas in phases, whilst maintaining access, escape routes and safe working environments for all students and staff.

This was achieved in nine phases, working at night to remove the asbestos, moving it out of the building first thing in the morning and sealing the area during the day before releasing it back to the college once it had been given the all-clear.

Where work had to be carried out on classrooms, disruption was minimised by shutting down the area on a Thursday night and carrying out the equivalent of seven shifts across the weekend so the classroom could be opened up again on Monday morning.

The college’s laboratories were stripped out and refurbished using specialist contractors to design, fabricate and install the laboratory furniture, install reverse osmosis key and medical gas services.

We created new and refurbished fume cupboards and worked with the design team on a brief from users on where to install power, using antibacterial wall trunking.

Specific antibacterial floor and ceiling finishes were sourced to maintain cleanliness and antistatic. The programme was built with specialists and subcontractors to lay flooring after all other works have been carried out to ensure they were 100% sealed and the finish protected.

Contact: Ray Mcauley
Email: ray.mcauley@morgansindall.com

City College, STEM Building

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City College, STEM Building

Plymouth, Devon


Project Details



Client

City College

Architect

ADG

Structural/ Civil Engineer

WSP

M&E Engineer:

Hydrock

Contractor

Kier Construction

Value

£9m

Contract Period

March 2016 – July 2017

Form of Contract

JCT 2001 Design & Build

Apprentices

3 Apprentices

Placements

9 weeks work placements

Project Summary

The design and construction of a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building, along with remodelling and refurbishment of the existing adjacent hall to create a performing arts faculty with associated external works. The project consisted of a 5 storey concrete frame new build with steel frame and atrium.

Specialist design requirements included acoustic work on the ground floor for the music rooms and recording studios.

The design changed to incorporate £1m of value engineering. In the basement the performing arts changing was withdrawn, a handrail around the building for ease of maintenance and the column at the front was changed from square to a v.

Difficulties overcome included the lead designers relying heavily on our design managers and was a big project for the lead architect who struggled to keep up with the pace of the programme

The client was very happy with the result of the design, in particular the cladding and overhang. The result was lots of space for the budget and the internal spaces were well received.

Kier took a lead role in the design management of the project in order to keep to the programme.



12

“Worked well on occupied site and understood the importance of safe operation. Regular project meetings and documented updates worked well. Very impressed with the approach to H&S on-site and off-site – well managed.”

“We’re delighted with it. It’s mind-blowing.”

Community Engagement


Career Development

  • During the project there were 3 management apprentices in Structural engineering from Plymouth University. The project supported the Step In and Step Up programme to encourage career changes into construction and also facilitated a 2 week placement in site management for a former Royal Marine.

Key Challenges

Live campus environment required weekly co-ordination meetings with the Clients estates team to ensure deliveries were kept a a minimum during peak campus activity.

Demolition of existing building on a live campus. To minimise risk, demolition of the existing building was carried out during school holidays. A robust risk method statement was developed which included dampening dust and protective screens over large glazing.

Project Takeaways

Our Success

  • Value management was carried out on the existing building roof through overlaying a roofing system rather than replacing the entire roof. It was identified that there was no requirement for new plant, resulting in a quick solution and avoided lost time.
  • Examples of value engineering on the project included reducing the depths of overhangs on the eaves. This created a more definite frame, reducing construction of the floor overhang to be supported from the ground. The style of the balustrades was also changed and the atrium changed from glass roof to 3 large roof lights.
  • Best practice of innovation is demonstrated in the curved handrails on the roof; they have been designed so that they are not visible from the ground but still ensure safety when carrying out maintenance on the roof.
  • Innovation was demonstrated through the concrete wash out used.

Our Learnings

  • To ensure the safety and security of the site, there was a full hoarding around the perimeter which was inspected daily, skips were covered and delivery restrictions at peak times.
  • Off-site storage was established so that materials only arrived on site when required.

Value Added

  • The key cost drivers were the financial targets and due to a client funding agreement there was a turnover date that had to be met.
  • The programme was driven by the College who needed the building to be in use for September 2017.

UWE Glenside Laundry Building Conversion

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UWE Glenside Laundry Building Conversion

University West of England, Bristol


Project Details



Client

University West of England

Contractor

Kier Construction

Value

£3m

Contract Period

41 weeks

Form of Contract

JCT Building Contracts with CDPs 2016

Project Summary

The conversion of a former Laundry Building in to a new Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre for the University of the West of England, Bristol.

The completed facility will provide the University with Optometry, Rehabilitation, Practical Skills Teaching Paramedics, changing and shower facilities and CPD Spaces with storage and plant rooms within a Basement that has ground floor level access.

Located on the University’s Glenside Campus, in Bristol, the building works were carried out within the live education and residential environment.



“Following Optometry’s occupation of the Glenside Laundry on Monday, I wanted to send you this congratulatory note. The mammoth operation which you have successfully lead so that PC was achieved on the entire development, has been so welcomed by my colleagues across the University, many of whom are eager to spread the word, what a great learning environment we now have.”

“The feedback I have received on your Project Management abilities from across the project team, has been consistently strong. I can recall many conversations with members of the UWE team, where they have expressed an appetite to build upon the relationships established on this project; in my view, a great indicator of success.”

Key Challenges

During the project there were a number of challenges which were highlighted and overcome through good communication and desire to provide a high-quality building.

The asbestos removal was a challenge as the scope continually expanded due to unforeseen areas not located in the original asbestos survey.

The site team communicated with the client at an early stage to allow the client to fully understand what additional work was required. This allowed a good working relationship to continue between both parties.

The location of the project created a number of logistical constraints due to the limited space surrounding the project and the busy nature of the University campus.

During the early stages of the project, a traffic management plan was developed and issued to the client for approval. The plan allowed the client to fully understand the construction logistic requirements and highlight any potential disruptions.

Throughout the project, the Kier site team regularly communicated with the University about any disruptions such as crane lifts and concrete pumps. During these activities, Kier gave adequate notice to the client regarding the disruptions and went onto position signage and barriers to communicate the temporary disruption to the University users.

The site was also challenged with limited material storage facilities which were managed through material procurement; only requesting the materials which were required, not bulk procurement. This allowed the storage facilities to be managed while providing a well-managed and maintained site.

Project Takeaways

Our Success

  • The key project drivers were to develop a design solution which met the Client’s afforded budget and deliver the completed building for the start of the September academic term.
  • The project commenced with removal of asbestos in various locations and lead paint from existing walls to display the glazed brickwork behind.
  • Design coordination was done utilising the BIM model to ensure we de-risked design through clash detection, ensuring the new and existing structure didn’t clash with newly installed services.

Our Learnings

  • Various demolitions to the existing structure were undertaken to allow the Client to obtain the required space and access routes from the existing University facilities.
  • Included in the demolitions was the removal of the existing window lanterns which were replaced with new lanterns to allow the building to have an enhanced thermal performance.
  • The pre-construction and operational team were central to supporting the University in developing a project-specific BIM Execution Plan and Employer’s Information Requirements (EIRs)  which aligned to the traditional nature of the contract. Within the EIRs it became apparent that affixing identification tags or labels, to assets, was key to delivering continuity across their estate. These were installed to  both fixed and movable assets to provide a way to identify individual assets throughout their useful life.

Value Added

  • The project was fully fitted out to a clinical standard including replacement of all M&E systems and new optometry training booths to the Client’s requirements.
  • This new space adds an extra 1,400 square metres of flexible teaching, learning and assessment space for a range of programmes, including a new Advanced Practice Apprenticeship award, which the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences have been successfully awarded by Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership.
  • The refurbishment of the former Laundry has been awarded a SKA Silver rating from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors for its considerate environmental design and use of materials in the project.

Advanced Engineering Centre, Bridgwater College

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Advanced Engineering Centre, Bridgwater College


Project Details



Client:

Bridgwater College

Contractor:

KIER

Value

£7.0m

Project Summary

The architectural ideology behind the design was to capture the purpose of the building in its appearance, and produce an ‘engineered’ form. A rigorous control over the alignment of external elements drove this concept, creating continuous lines around the facades, that blend seamlessly between the curtain wall mullions through to the cladding panel joints.

Control over the internal spaces went hand in hand with this, to create an order to the primary facade’s glazing, and draw attention to the spaces within.

The internal spaces are positioned so the classroom spaces receive generous amounts daylight from the large, sloped glazing facade, whilst the workshops, with controlled lighting levels, are placed to the rear of the building.



“Good collaborative approach and great outcome.”

Key Challenges

  • Logistic plans had to be updated regularly and agreed with the College as the only site access was through the heart of the campus and routes to the main car park.
  • Very close monitoring and controls had to be introduced during piling and lifting operations.

Project Takeaways

Our Success

  • A key success for the project was to achieve completion for the new academic year despite a delayed start and without compromising the quality of the build.
  • The Advanced Engineering Centre was based on 320 driven piles to a depth of 20 metres with a suspended precast floor utilised on levels. The main structure was steel with composite cladding to roof and walling which frames the feature curtain walling to the front elevation.
  • A 1200cm attenuation system was installed under the car park as well as relocation of a grey water tank from an adjacent building

KPI’s & Statistics

  • Contractor team performance: 9/10
  • Health & Safety: 9/10
  • Quality Workmanship: 9/10
  • Progress in making good defects: 8/10
  • Collaborative approach: 9/10
  • Overall contractor approach: 9/10

University College London Institute of Education: 20 Bedford Way

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University College London (UCL) – Institute of Education (IoE)

20 Bedford Way