Bristol Beacon had fallen a long way behind comparative venues for audiences, performers, and staff pre-closure in 2018, having had no significant modernisation for 60 years.
The building suffered from serious under investment and a significant maintenance backlog of £2.2m worth of urgent repairs. There was a stark disparity between the standards offered by the new foyer building and the remainder of the complex which was affecting the visitor experience and the quality of performances.
A detailed analysis of the main hall was undertaken in 2004 which identified many major issues with the 1951 interior such as dry rot and leaking roofs, asbestos in need of treatment or removal, inflexible, small stage and tight and uncomfortable seating and poor environmental performance wasting money and energy.
The original budget had increased because of what Willmott Dixon uncovered in the 156-year-old building. This included three Elizabethan wells ten feet deep in the cellars, sinking below the level of the floating harbour, a Victorian heating system, and hollow pillars that they had thought were solid supporting columns.
When the building roof was removed, the 120-tonne birdcage scaffolding put in place to hold the original walls in place was believed to be the largest of its kind on any building project in Europe. Thousands of tonnes of concrete enough to fill 1,280 baths – have been poured in to shore up the foundations.
Bristol City Council were kept updated throughout, to ensure transparency throughout the process.
This project is probably one of Europe’s most intricate and complex transformation projects in the last ten years.
The new facilities will work smarter and harder. Efficiencies will include a scene-dock, seating on wheels, fore-stage lift to reduce changeover time from flat-floor to raked-seating, a more appropriate get-in, a desk-controlled lighting rig, quick-pour technology and online pre-ordering.
Backstage areas have been refurbished to a high standard and floor levels have been altered to provide exemplary access for disabled people and equipment.
Over five years later and with over a million hours of time invested, this once in a lifetime project has transformed Bristol Beacons and it is now described by Arts Council England as ‘one of the greatest cultural icons of modern-day Britain’.
Bristol Beacon now boasts four new world-class performance spaces, allowing it to deliver over 800 events a year and generate an estimated £13m annually to the economy.
As well as having some of the best acoustics of any concert hall in Europe, it will also have some of the highest levels of physical accessibility throughout making it truly accessible to everyone, both artists and audiences.
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
BREEAM Very Good
Achieved
Achieved and on-going
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: 07805760622
Email: guy.dawes@willmottdixon.co.uk
Phone: 07989179444
Client
Reading Borough Council
Project Manager
Hampshire County Council
Architect
Broadway Malyan
Contractor
Morgan Sindall (overbury)
Value
£3.6m
Contract Period
26 weeks
Procurement Type
Design & Build
Form of Contract
JCT D&B
Size
1,308 m2 GIFA
Trainees
5
Overbury successfully delivered a full Cat B fit out over two floors and a mezzanine area for repeat client, Reading Borough Council (RBC). Procured through the SCF Framework, the newly modernised office space will house the Council’s Parks, Highways and Housing departments. The works also included the creation of a storage facility for the museums and modern records division.
Works to the office space included the creation of a breakout area on the ground floor, new toilets, refurbishment of the showers, new tea points, installation of a new lift and redecoration throughout. Structural beams were moved and adapted to ensure that the lift could be appropriately supported. A new structural steel beam was installed under the mezzanine to support the new storage equipment that would be installed on this floor. New roller racking storage and close control air conditioning units and dehumidifiers were fitted in the document and artefact storage areas.
The security of the building was increased with specialist steel doors and updated security systems.
The building is located in the middle of a busy depot which was in constant use throughout the project. Logistics had to be carefully planned; and effective traffic and parking management was key. Maintaining a strong relationship with the client ensured successful and efficient use of a challenging site.
Throughout the project we had apprentices and trainees working on site; directly for Overbury and for our subcontractors.
Tight Programme to achieve Critical Path
The tight programme for the roller racking area presented a key challenge for the project. We had to ensure that this portion of works started as early as possible to meet the critical path. The programme was designed to progress these areas to mitigate the risk of not meeting the handover with the roller racking in place.
To ensure the smooth operation of the roller racking, the floor levels could only have a 5mm tolerance throughout the whole span of the warehouse. After the final stage of demolition was completed in the racking areas, we re-screeded the entire warehouse. This ensured the 5mm tolerance was met throughout the span which resulted in the perfect running of the racking system.
Plant Room Decommissioning
From the validation phases of the project it became apparent that there was an old mains electrical panel in a plant room in the centre of the building that was still live, this was due to be demolished to be used for racking areas. Requests to the electrical board were made immediately for them to disconnect and remove, however there was still to be a delay for these works. To ensure that this did not delay the overall programme we progressed with all other surrounding works, whilst keeping this plant room out of bounds to mitigate any health and safety risk. The sequencing of the roller racking was swapped to ensure the programme stayed on schedule.
Once the electrical panel was safely disconnected and removed, works to remove the old plant room and progress works for roller racking installation was accelerated so that the end handover date was met.
Deliveries Logistics
The office block was at the centre of a live and busy council depot. We had to balance deliveries and a shared car park with the council contractors and the challenging location also meant that large vehicles and deliveries could not access the site.
Collaboration, communication and organisation were key to maintaining a good relationship with the client while being efficient with deliveries and subcontractors.
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Client
Somerset West & Taunton Council
Avon & Somerset Police
Project Manager
Somerset West & Taunton Council
Architect
HLM Architects
Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd
Value
£6.7m
Contract Period
55 weeks
Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage
Form of Contract
JCT Design & Build 2016
Size
5,600m²
Apprentices
17
This scheme saw the transformation of this flagship town centre office building to the north of Taunton town centre, headquarters of Taunton Deane Borough Council, to bring together a range of council services under one roof. Midas completed works to this live, three-storey building in phases to allow it to remain open and in use throughout.
Midas undertook this major project on behalf of joint clients Somerset West & Taunton Council and Avon & Somerset Police, to deliver an improved customer experience in a refreshed building that provided a modern and comfortable workspace for its staff. Bringing Taunton Police and the Council together in one building enables the community to access more public services from one convenient location.
The complete refurbishment of Deane House has produced a more energy efficient building that offers flexible, open plan working and communal spaces in Grade A office accommodation with high spec finishes throughout. The building can be adapted for future needs and has potential to accommodate additional public or private sector partners in the future.
The project received a score of 92% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion.
Career Development
Building remained occupied by Council staff and open to the public throughout the project
Bringing the project in line with the budget
Phased project with sectional completion
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £6,782,797 | £6,752,576 | -£30,221 -(0.4%) |
Time | 63 weeks | 63 weeks | 0 weeks (0%) |
Following the successful completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 refurbishment of Bristol City Council’s headquarters at Temple Street, Bristol including the creation of a new Operations Centre on one floor which provides the central hub for all CCTV cameras in the city. The room also acts as the control centre for major incidents and thus has a higher level of security than the rest of the building.
Provision of high security to one floor and fit out to the rest of the building whilst remaining a live operational building.
Specialist and security systems included the installation of a video wall system which feature images from CCTV cameras that operators can play numerous images on enabling them to split the screen or zoom in.
The refurbishment also included CAT 6 data wiring, installation of a new generator, UPS and air conditioning. The new switch panel was installed over 3 weekends as the building remained occupied.
Fit out to the first floor for the Department of Work and Pensions were phased to keep staff entrances live throughout with minimal disruption. Deliveries were planned carefully. Any drilling was not undertaken after 8.30am
Building handed over on time and within budget whilst remaining operational throughout the works.
100% payment within 30 days terms
100% timber responsibly sourced
Zero RIDDORs
23 No of SMEs
22 Beneficiaries
2 Work experience placements
16 jobs created
3 curriculum support activities
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: 07805 760622
Email: alan.smedley@morgansindall.com
Phone: 07967 686066
Andover, Hampshire
To minimise energy consumption and maximise occupant comfort, our team focused on the careful design of the building form and selection of materials. In particular, the layout of the proposed building features south facing classrooms with north facing clerestory glazing. This arrangement offers good opportunities for providing generous natural daylight with natural cross ventilation and effective shading from excessive solar gain.
Willmott Dixon’s team of education experts have created a new 420 place primary school in Andover. The school provides places for students aged from 4-11 years old and is likely to expand in the future with elements already in place to accommodate this.
This arrangement offers good opportunities for providing generous natural daylight with natural cross ventilation and effective shading from excessive solar gain. The school is highly sustainable with photovoltaics on the roof which provide 10% of the building’s energy use.
The Primary school provided 420 places for students aged from 4-11 years old and is likely to expand in the future with elements already in place to accommodate this. Set within the East Anton Major Development Area (MDA) the school is being built alongside 2,850 new homes with developer Taylor Wimpey.
100% of payments were made promptly and within 30 days
98% diverted from landfill
Zero harm
SCF handover and aftercare process carried out
Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk
Phone: 07805760622
Email: guy.dawes@willmottdixon.co.uk
Phone: 07989 179444
London
Project Team
Architects: Capita
Electrical: Capita
MEP: Capita
The project was a design and build development of Oakleigh Road South Vehicle Depot to create a Barnet Council vehicle depot and a base for their fleet of 46 household recyclable waste collection vehicles.
There were several challenges faced throughout this project. There was restricted access on a long and narrow site which caused difficulties when trying to overcome other challenges such as dealing with the below ground water, removing underground drainage structures and the buried hazardous waste.
To overcome the narrow site, the Willmott Dixon team worked in a ‘patchwork’ fashion, sectioning off the works and moving operations around to keep the access road fully open throughout the build.
Willmott Dixon found existing sewers and then got permission from Thames Water to use them instead for the below ground water. They found a solution using a land drain pump to drain the ground water which was causing surface water.
Now built, the depot will allow Barnet Council to operate its vehicle maintenance and recycling collection fleet from single coordinated site, ensuring the most efficient service for residents across the borough. The construction also consisted of a tractor barn and car parking, together with associated ancillary facilities, a recycling waste transfer building and bulking facility, a two storey office and welfare building.
New Apprenticeships
Raised levels by introducing engineered ground geotextile, saving £720k
Resulting in programme saving £110k
Added surveys resulting in reduced risk on hazardous waste, saving £205k
Regular payments and payment periods did not exceed 30 days
Early contractor engagement realised that by raising finished floor levels by introducing an engineered ground geotextile design produced a saving of c£720k, helping significantly reduce excavated materials
Zero RIDDORs
2 starter apprentices who went on to gain full time graduate employment
SCF handover and aftercare promised carried out
Email: alex.nelhams@hants.gov.uk
Phone: 07717 003869
Email: guy.dawes@willmottdixon.co.uk
Phone: 07989179444
Client
Somerset County Council
Project Manager
Somerset County Council
Architect
NVB Architects
Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd
Value
£2.9m
Contract Period
47 weeks
Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage
Form of Contract
NEC3 Option A
Size
830m²
Apprentices
6
Tor School is a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Glastonbury, one of the first fully integrated PRUs in the UK, which brings together three streams of Somerset County Council’s educational facilities. The school offers alternative educational provision for vulnerable young people who struggle in a mainstream school environment and provides facilities for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4. The PRU includes a Learning Enhancement Centre with facilities for outreach staff. Designed with the needs of the young people in mind, the building’s layout enables direct access from each classroom to dedicated external spaces. The different year groups share specialist spaces, including a breakout room with low-level lighting.
Midas constructed this single-storey, 12 classroom educational building on a design and build contract. This well-insulated building features blockwork render on all elevations with a truss timber roof and robust internal fittings designed to accommodate the specialist needs of the pupils. Midas completed groundworks including drainage and service connections, with internal works including first fix M&E, dry lining, plastering and decorations.
The client scored the project 100% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion and the site received a CCS Bronze 2018 National Site Award.
Career Opportunities
The client had a restricted budget with which to meet their project requirements
This constrained site contained a party wall and was bounded by commercial and residential properties, including a live ambulance station to the south and an adjacent Learning Difficulties Day Centre that remained open throughout the project.
The site contained hazardous underground and overhead live services including a high voltage (HV) cable that served half of Glastonbury. The project also included creation of a substation requiring rerouting of existing services and removal of redundant services.
Our Successes
Our Learnings
Added Value
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £2,949,492 | £2,901,181 | -£48,311 (-0.3%) |
Time | 34 weeks | 38 weeks | 4 weeks (11.8%) |
KPI Graphs
Apprentices 6
Graduates 1
Average AIR 0
Average CCS score 40.5
Waste diverted from landfill 92.1%
Cost/m2 £3,502m²
Cost/m2 excl abnormals £2,347m²
Client
South Somerset District Council
Project Manager
NPS South West Limited
Architect
NPS South West Limited
Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd
Value
£1.5m
Contract Period
40 weeks
Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage
Form of Contract
NEC3 Option A
Size
1,044m²
The Yeovil Innovation Centre is an evolving business community designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs that require high quality, low-cost and flexible work spaces with room for growth. Supported by funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Midas constructed this two-storey extension for client South Somerset District Council to expand the capacity and update resources at this multi-office facility.Located on Lufton Trading Estate to the east of Yeovil’s town centre, the Innovation Centre provides reception and meeting areas for tenants and entrepreneurs looking for the flexibility of short term leases. This extension offers over 1,000m² office accommodation across two floors. The structure is strip footing foundations supporting a portal steel frame, with a block and beam ground floor and precast first floor and roof, and raised access flooring installed to both floors. It benefits from brise soleil solar shading, with internal plasterboard finish that allows for future reconfiguration of the ground floor to meet the changing needs of tenants. Midas’ works included a lift, shell and core finish to the first floor, a single ply roof and landscaping. The project received a score of 96% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion.
Career Development
Meeting the client’s design expectations within their budget
Budget: Early in the programme Midas’ market intelligence and cost benchmarking works identified a challenge, with the client’s design requirements exceeding their budget allowance. Midas’ commercial team worked closely with the client’s designers and our supply chain partners to deliver £550,000 of value engineering – including changing the structural frame, amending the window and natural ventilation configuration, amending hollow clay pot and lintel solution, and rationalising roof and gutter design – to make the project viable whilst achieving the client’s vision.
The Innovation Centre remained open and occupied throughout the works
Occupied building: Prior to commencement, Midas established a secure construction site perimeter to segregate live works from the Centre, and erected full perimeter Heras fencing with solid hoarding to the front elevation and post and rail fencing to pedestrian routes. Midas liaised with the client in advance of works and completed noisy works at agreed times. The team implemented acoustic protection measures including forming two baffle bunds from soils excavated on site. The team restricted and segregated noisy works, managed the movement of plant, and situated cement mixers on the opposite side of the site from neighbours. The team held regular consultation meetings to update neighbours on the project; allowing one to one discussions and providing advance notice of noisy works to Centre staff. The team monitored noise, dust and vibration levels through the works and across the site. Contractors completed cutting works in designated areas and made sparing use of damping down to manage dust whilst restricting the site’s water use.
The project involved connection of the extension to an operational building with live services
Live services: The project included demolition works to form a link opening to the existing structure, and service and utilities connections between the original building and the extension. Midas engaged early with the Centre’s management team and planned works in consultation with them. Thanks to the good relations with the client, the site team developed a mutually agreed programme. This ensured Midas could complete demolition, connection and security works during daylight hours, allowing time to address any potential issues. Midas installed a lockable partition early in the programme to segregate works and mitigate disturbance from noise or dust. The team then installed temporary works prior to commencing demolition to support the structural integrity of the façade whilst forming the structural opening. Midas brought new services to the edge of the extension and existing services to the connection point in the original building, before completing service connections overnight. This simplified the connection process, ensured services were not in use during works and prevented disturbance of the Centre staff.
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £2,117,646 | £1,474,292 | -£545,854 (-30.4%) |
Time | 42 weeks | 36 weeks | -6 weeks (-14.3%) |
Apprentices: 8
Average AIR: 0
Average CCS score: 41
Waste diverted from landfill: 99.2%
Cost/m2: £1,574m²
Cost/m2: excl abnormals £1,453m²
Cost/m2: Industry average £ m
Client
Devon County Council
Project Manager
NPS South West Limited
Architect
NPS South West Limited
Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd
Value £2.4m
Contract Period
37 weeks
Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage
Form of Contract
NEC3 Option A
Size 890m²
Apprentices
3
Situated in rural village surroundings, Loddiswell Primary School provides a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. The school is a 150-place, one form-entry single storey building with capacity to expand as the school grows. The school provides four classrooms, complete with interactive whiteboards and modern ICT equipment, a library, school hall and extensive outside space including a multi-use games area and playgrounds.
The building is timber frame with Structural Insulated Panels with a sectional roof, supported by glulam beams. The finished building features a 14kw PV array, larch weatherboarding and rubble stone walling, with an access road and car parking.Externally, Midas completed landscaping works and created a swale planted with wetland wildflowers as part of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Strategy, to help manage drainage, prevent flooding or run off, increase biodiversity and provide a source of natural interest for the pupils.The project scored 88% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion and received a CCS 2019 Bronze National Site Award.
Career Opportunities
The village of Loddiswell is off the gas grid, meaning the building could not benefit from low carbon gas grids and hydrogen solutions, and had no direct access to the cheapest heating options
To address the power supply Midas installed air-source heat pumps, with a 14kw PV array on the roof. The building includes wind-catchers to increase natural ventilation, designed through the Building Physics strategy to meet requirements for natural ventilation, solar shading and natural daylight.
The building needed to be made watertight as early in the programme as possible, to ensure the client-design timber frame retained its integrity
Midas implemented Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) construction. This off site construction method is then fitted at the premises, enabling the team to make the building watertight sooner and resulting in a positive impact on the programme whilst also reducing waste, noise, dust and air pollution on site.
The site was in proximity to new houses, with a large population of children, with access only available via narrow roads through the existing housing estate
To manage the constrained access Midas restricted delivery vehicle size and scheduled deliveries to avoid rush hour and early mornings, directing site traffic to circumvent the village, and closely managed vehicle movements and timing to avoid disruption. The team reduced site movements by completing a cut and fill exercise, retaining 1,100m³ of excavated materials for the sports pitch and landscaping. The site team monitored the cleanliness of the access road, preempting the need for a road sweeper where necessary, and formed a tarmac car park within the site at the start of the project. Contractors used on-site parking to keep the residential roads clear and the vehicle controller monitored contractor parking to mitigate disturbance to the neighbours.
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £2,238,653 | £2,420,067 | -£40,300 (8.1%) |
Time | 37 weeks | 37 weeks | 0 weeks |
KPI Graphs
Apprentices 3
Average AIR 0
Average CCS score 41
Waste diverted from landfill 41%
Cost/m2 £2,793m²
Cost/m2 excl abnormals £1,948m²
Cost/m2 Industry average £ m
Contact:
Email:
Client
Somerset County Council
Project Manager
Faithful & Gould
Architect
Atkins Ltd
Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd
Value
£3.3m
Contract Period
43 weeks
Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage
Form of Contract
NEC3 Option A
Size 1,020m²
Apprentices
4
The client commissioned Midas to construct a two-storey, eight classroom teaching facility at a primary school in Wincanton to increase the school’s capacity and meet the growing needs of the community. The school’s ethos is to deliver high standards of education within a supportive and stimulating environment. The bright and colourful design of the new building provides a visually striking building with extensive play facilities.
The project team delivered inclusive activities to engage pupils and the community with the project. Events included hosting a time capsule and beam-signing ceremony; having twice monthly site visits from Wincanton Primary and local schools; and hosting students from the local college. The school invited the Midas team to judge their ‘Best Digger’ competition and Midas donated £150 as prize money to the school raffle. The project also won a CCS Silver 2018 National Site Award.
The finished building features educational, administration and associated spaces. Midas’ works included partial demolition of a shelter, fit out of the finished building and all associated utilities connections. The structure is steel frame with block and beam flooring, precast concrete staircases and a lift. Midas created gardens and a play area, completed soft landscaping and provided car parking facilities.
Career Opportunities
In proximity to a live school site with challenging logistics
The team managed the live educational site through effective collaboration with the school to coordinate the programme of works and schedule external and noisy works around lesson times and exams, timing significant works to occur during school holidays to mitigate disruption. Midas maintained close communication through weekly and ad hoc meetings with the school as required, and detailed restrictions in contractor toolbox talks and during site inductions, with daily monitoring to ensure workers complied with restrictions. The Midas team clearly set out site rules and requirements to all members of the supply chain, confirming site standards and providing recognition and rewards for good performance, and providing copies of the traffic management plan and logistics plan to all operatives. The site scheduled deliveries to avoid busy periods, with no deliveries permitted before 9am and avoiding the end of the school day, and noisy works restricted to the afternoon (3.15pm to 5.00pm) to avoid disturbing lessons.
The school requested additional works late in the programme
To incorporate the request for additional works, Midas liaised with the school to agree a revised programme. The team implemented a countdown programme, completed additional hours and carried out quality checks during the works. The Midas team closely monitored contractors during the final stages of the project to ensure workers maintained safety standards during the busiest phase of the works, and maintained careful coordination of subcontractors. The team completed the total project, including additional works, to a high standard of quality and to programme.
The project included installation of a mains electrical substation
To ensure safe installation of the mains electrical substation, Midas completed a ground penetrating radar survey, identifying routes of new and existing services, before compiling a Risk Schedule/ Register. Midas collaborated with SSE (the services supplier who relocated services and removed redundant cables) ensuring the project benefitted from early risk identification. The team encouraged stakeholder input during regular risk meetings, established “no dig” zones along known service routes to reduce risk, used trial pits and hand excavation and completed groundworks under permits to excavate. The team secured Heras panels around the works, with clear signage, and installed protective barriers within public highways during utility connections. At the start of the programme, the site’s power supply ran from generators (with back-up) before connecting into the new mains following installation of the substation. Following this, Midas worked around live services, identifying and removing redundant services in association with SSE.
Our Success
Our Learnings
Value Added
Contract | Gateway 2 Planning | Gateway 3 Contract Agreement | Variation |
Cost | £3,229,311 | £3,250,840 | £21,529 (0.7%) |
Time | 37 weeks | 37 weeks | 0 weeks |
KPI Graphs
Apprentices 4
Average AIR 0
Average CCS score 42
Waste diverted from landfi ll 93.7%
Cost/m2 £2,995m²
Cost/m2 excl abnormals £2,342m²
Cost/m2 Industry average £ m²