Exterior of Construction Skills CentreMidas Group Ltd

Construction Training Centre

/in , , /by

Construction Training Centre

Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset


Project Details



Client
Weston College

Project Manager
Weston College

Architect
View Architects Ltd

Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd

Value
£2.9m

Contract Period
33 weeks

Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage

Form of Contract
JCT Design & Build 2016

Size
1,809m²

Apprentices
7

Project Brief

Created to address the increasing demand for a skilled construction workforce in the region, the Construction Training Centre provides state-of-the-art specialised teaching space, offering training specific to the construction industry and designed with employers’ needs in mind. Midas delivered this single-storey building in a semi-rural location to the west of Weston-super-Mare.

Made possible by match funding from Weston College and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority, the Centre is taking a lead role in answering the construction skills shortage. The main teaching centre is a block of modular buildings, constructed off site, connected with a central corridor covered by a canopy. Adjacent to the modular block are three connected steel frame cladded sheds. The project includes several areas of storage and work yard together with a dig training area.

Enabling works included demolition and removal of old farm buildings, part piled foundations and excavations for ground beams, slabs and drainage, infill and diversion of two sections of a watercourse and formation of attenuation ponds with a new water route.

The client scored the project 91% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion.



  • Exterior of Construction Skills Centre
12

 “The Construction Training Centre really is meeting the need of the industry. Construction workers were having to go as far as Birmingham to complete their training – which includes compulsory qualifications. This centre has brought all of the training under one roof, and is conveniently located just minutes from junction 21 of the M5. Our courses are industry-recognised and nationally accredited, which is a real plus for a new facility. This has helped to ensure that we have a busy start to life at the Construction Training Centre, and we look forward to this continuing over the coming months.” 

Community Engagement

Career Development

  • 7 Apprentices provided with training through the project

Key Challenges

  • Due to the time limit of the lease, the Construction Skills Centre needs to be relocated at the end of the College’s contract on the land. Midas addressed this through design and construction of a combination of refurbished modular buildings and new build warehouse, to deliver a structure that can easily be dismantled and relocated at the end of the lease. The modular building is formed of 23 units that can be picked up and moved in blocks of 13, and use of off-site modular construction resulted in a shorter on-site programme time and less waste. As agreed with the client, Midas left bolts exposed in the warehouse unit to enable it to be easily dismantled and relocated. Midas amended the foundation design to pad and raft foundations, which will be easier for the client to clear at the end of their lease period. To manage the high water table with pad and raft foundations Midas completed an extensive drainage scheme under licence from the North Somerset Levels Internal Drainage Board (NSLIDB), bridging over the rhynes in several places and installing filtration systems to prevent run off.
  • The project surpassed the client’s target and achieved BREEAM Very Good through numerous environmental measures. The team protected local wildlife, plants and waterways throughout the works; installed sensitive lights to prevent disturbance of bat feeding routes; used of off-site modular construction to reduce waste; installed permanent, secure bicycle storage for 20 bikes; diverted of 99.5% of waste from landfill; and used a community recycling scheme for wood waste and unwanted timber pallets. The project achieved an air tightness result of 4.23 & 3.68m³/hr.m² @ 50 Pa, against a maximum of 10.0m³/hr.m² @ 50 Pa. Early in the project, Midas commissioned an ecological survey that confirmed the rhynes (drainage ditches used as local flood management systems) did not contain any protected species and prior to works the site team completed a visual survey to check no significant wildlife was present.
  • Midas liaised with the NSLIDB to manage the risk of works in proximity to rhynes. The team secured a licence from the NSLIDB to work within nine metres of rhynes, ensuring they remained clear throughout the works. Midas identified drain routes and risk potential as part of site inductions, and managed surface water through an efficient drainage design. The site used silt busters to filter all water sent off site. At the start of the project Midas implemented a Construction Environmental Management Plan to manage the high pollution risk to adjacent properties and the rhynes; protected existing ditches and rhynes from site run off; and identified watercourses, drains and their outputs. The site controlled water run-off with straw bales placed along the rhynes and formed a clay earth bund to prevent polluting nearby watercourses, with spill kits stored on site and a pollution incident response action plan in place. Prior to undertaking diversion works to the rhyne within the site and for drainage works to the pond, the Assistant Site Manager contacted the inland drainage board and received verbal approval to pump extracted water into the grassland around the site.
  • Midas came onto this project at RIBA Stage 1, appointing our own design team with Smith Consult Limited novated to the M&E subcontractor. Both projects were initially over the client’s budget, and Midas completed an extensive and effective early value engineering exercise with them at RIBA Stage 3, providing design and material amendments to make the projects financially viable. Midas conducted stakeholder engagement exercises, working with the college and modular manufacturers to conduct a best value review of external finishes, delivering a cost-effective solution without compromising the quality of the finish. Midas also completed a total redesign of both the Health and Active Living Centre and the Construction Training Centre to ensure the architectural plans met the correct site requirements. The team designed out any challenges in the planning stages, tailoring the foundation designs to suit the site conditions following site investigation and completion of archaeological reports.

Project Takeaways

Our Success

  • Enabling works included demolition and removal of timber cattle sheds that had evidence of fragile asbestos cement roofing, asbestos containing materials and possible ground contamination. Midas appointed an asbestos surveyor and remover and produced an Asbestos Management Plan with a Cat B plus a Point of Work Risk Assessment for these works. The site had an asbestos-sealed waste skip, which the team had taken off site as soon as possible following completion of the removal works. Midas included asbestos awareness as part of site inductions.
  • To reduce inconvenience to local residents, Midas encouraged deliveries to use major routes into the town and approach the site via the more suitable A370. Deliveries entered the site via the shared access road off Churchland Way, which residents used to walk their children to school. Midas liaised with the neighbours to discuss access issues and the Assistant Site Manager provided them with hi-vis tabards to high light their presence during school walks along the lane. To reduce risk, the site scheduled deliveries; enforced a 20mph speed restriction on the lane; and established a suitable sized entry gate and hard standing area, which housed up to two simultaneous deliveries, to get deliveries in off the road as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary congestion. The site unloaded deliveries using a telehandler and contained a turning circle to eliminate the need to reverse onto the highway. Site traffic exited under supervision by a vehicle controller to reduce risk to avoid risk of collision on the public highway and to reduce risk to pedestrians passing the site.
  • To manage the site’s high water table and proximity to rhynes, Midas implemented an extensive attenuation scheme, effectively selecting the most appropriate groundworks subcontractors to ensure success.

Our Learnings

  • Due to its proximity to a Norman fort, there was a risk of archaeological importance on the site. Prior to commencement, another company completed a site investigation (SI) to establish ground conditions. Midas accessed the SI information from a separate planning application on the site, which confirmed poor ground conditions and a known flood risk. Midas interrogated SI reports, including historic data provided at tender stage, and appointed Wessex Archaeology Limited to investigate the site and complete trench digs across the area prior to Midas commencing works.

Value Added

  • Midas delivered £511,960 (19.5%) of added value and best practice savings at Gateway 4. Savings included a reduction in the foundation design, following close review with the supply chain, for a saving of £205k; revision and reduction of the planned site entrance to one combined entrance, saving £9,460k; reducing the covered area and altering external finishes to save £90k; and retaining excavated soil onsite for a saving of £60k.
  • The site employed 83.3% small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with 67.7% of the SMEs based within 30 miles of the site.
  • The project team collaborated with the team at the Construction Skills Centre site to deliver a combined Employment and Skills Plan. The sites supported eight work experience placements; created 13 jobs with the National Skills Academy for Construction, including six apprentices; supported 11 Construction Careers Information, Advice & Guidance events; delivered 218.9 training weeks on site; delivered four training plans for subcontractors; and supported the achievement of 85 NVQs and industry certifications. Representatives from the project attended the North Somerset Careers Convention and the Weston-super-Mare Careers Convention.

KPI’s & Statistics

ContractGateway 2 Planning Gateway 3 Contract Agreement Variation
Cost£2,918,791£2,631,357-£287,434
(-9.8%)
Time26.1 weeks25.9 weeks-0.29 weeks
(-1.1%)
  • Apprentices: 7
  • Average AIR: 0
  • Average CCS score: 40
  • Waste diverted from landfill: 99.5%
  • Cost/m2: £1,455m²
  • Cost/m2 excl abnormals: £506m²
Exterior of the Oxford Advanced Skills CentreMidas Group Ltd

Oxford Advanced Skills Centre

/in , /by

Oxford Advanced Skills Centre

Abingdon, Oxfordshire


Project Details



Client
UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

Project Manager
Ridge & Partners LLP

Architect
Ridge & Partners LLP

Contractor
Midas Construction Ltd

Value
£8.8m

Contract Period
54 weeks

Procurement Type
Competitive tender – 2 stage

Form of Contract
NEC3 Option A

Size
4,074m²

Apprentices
7

Project Summary

Delivered at the secure Culham Science Centre, a dedicated innovation and enterprise park in Oxfordshire, the Advanced Skills Centre is a flagship training facility. Owned and managed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Culham Science Centre is a world-class research site that hosts 40 businesses employing approximately 2,000 people in fields including aerospace, technology, autonomous vehicles and biotechnology.

Constructed in proximity to live business and educational facilities, the project included design and build of the Centre, together with sports and social facilities and associated external works. Works included site preparation and groundworks, followed by construction of two steel frame buildings – the Centre and a sports pavilion – with a cladding and render envelope and a single ply roof to the Centre. Midas completed full Cat A and Cat B fit out, including M&E, plumbing and service connections. Externally, the team completed car parking and hard and soft landscaping.

The purpose-built Centre has the capacity to train up to 350 apprentices per year, offering specialised training for apprentice engineers and technicians. Designed with these industries in mind and following consultation with local businesses, the three-storey centre provides labs and workshops to support training in specialised research areas including mechanical and electrical, robotics, cryogenics, fluids and vacuums.



  • Exterior of the Oxford Advanced Skills Centre

“Starting the construction phase is hugely exciting for the project team as it marks the culmination of the efforts of many people.”

Key Challenges

  • Midas successfully achieved BREEAM Very Good with measures including PV panels installed on the roof; diversion of 94.55% of waste from landfill; bicycle storage and changing facilities; and by undertaking tree protection measures. Midas commissioned a prestart inspection by a suitably qualified ecologist – from Windrush Ecology – and, in line with their recommendations, delivered toolbox talks to site operatives on topics including protecting site ecology and compliance with ecological legislation. Midas delivered training for building users, including Building User Guides, and completed seasonal commissioning activities for the 12-month period after occupation. The team placed bird feeders at the site boundary, providing winter feed for birds, and rescued a mole from an existing building.
  • Midas used a combination of best practice and added value solutions to offer the client £767k (8.7% of contract value) of savings at the Gateway 3 construction stage. Midas approached supply chain members including the roofing and cladding contractor and the piling contractor early in the programme and invited them to participate in design team meetings to aid with detailing. Solutions included retention of excavated materials for reuse in landscaping and site fill, for a saving of £117k; identifying £140k of best value savings at Cost Plan; and completing a post-tender best value review with our subcontractors, to offer £327k of savings to bring the works in line with the budget. Our supply chain partners re-appraised the ground investigation report to develop a vibro-compacted stone column solution in lieu of continuous flight auger piling piles. This saved £45k on the budget and mitigated any programme delays. The team proposed using face fix cladding panels with colour match fixings, to negate the need for helping hand brackets (saving £55k); and the project reused excavated topsoil in lieu of imported materials, saving £117k and achieving a BREEAM credit.
  • Culham Science Park is a secure site with a security gate staff with security guards. UKAEA Security required advance notice of all visitors attending the site, with attendance tracked by their team. Midas erected Heras fencing and solid hoarding around our site to segregate works, with Heras fencing to the contractor car park and crowd control barriers forming separate client routes. The team shared construction access with a project to the north of the site, with UKAEA Security managing traffic access. Midas liaised with UKAEA site security and other construction project teams to coordinate and programme deliveries, and checked vehicles for the use of the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme road safety provisions. To mitigate dust and noise disturbance to the science park, operatives used vacuum cleaners with filters; dust extraction on saws, sanders and floor grinders; and water suppression attached to the petrol disc cutter. The team used a dedicated cutting area, combined with acoustic panels to reduce exposure to others on site.

Project Takeaways

Our Successes
  • Midas worked simultaneously on two projects for the same client at the same site, and introduced savings and improvements to the programme and supply chain by sharing resources across the two projects. The two projects had separate access routes and security checkpoints, to avoid causing queues at the main gate.
  • Culham Science Centre has plans to substantially increase commercial activity and construct new buildings at the site. Midas completed additional infrastructure works, added to our project by the client during the programme, in order to prepare the site for potential future developments. The Midas team worked closely with the client to plan and review these additional works to future-proof the site.
  • Each subcontractor attended a prestart meeting to review safety and quality requirements, at least two weeks prior to their start on site. The project used Field View in tandem with 4Projects to track and manage snagging and defects. The client bought into this software and accessed Field View to complete their quality inspections. All subcontractors completed their inspection, test plan, risk assessments and method statements together as part of the pre-start process. The Midas site team used tablets with Field View to complete weekly quality and safety inspections of subcontractors and our supply chain.
Our Learnings
  • The site included an incoming underground high voltage electricity supply and fibre optic cables crossing the site, with live services within an adjacent block. The team pegged out the route of live services and identified them with signage. UKAEA diverted the fibre optics prior to Midas commencing ground excavations; Midas received written confirmation of disconnection from the client prior to commencement of works. The team battered back excavations, controlling the reduced and formation level excavations under permits to dig and protecting open excavations with Heras fencing.
Added Value
  • As part of this project Midas worked to an Employment & Skills Plan (ESP), including: five work experience placements; seven apprentices employed; 12 jobs created; 167.4 waged training weeks delivered on site; 32 workforce qualifications supported; and four training plans for subcontractors delivered. The site hosted a visit from six local college students.
  • The project supported the local economy with 93.3% of companies employed via the project being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and 55.9% of those based within 30 miles of the site.
  • The site held a topping out ceremony with a Christmas wreath on 11 December 2018, attended by over 30 people including representatives from MTC Training, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Culham Fusion and UKAEA.

KPI’s & Statistics

ContractGateway 2 Planning Gateway 3 Contract Agreement Variation
Cost£8,881,816£8,810,919-£70,896
(-0.8%)
Time48.1 weeks47 weeks-1.14 weeks
(-2.4%)

KPI Graphs

Apprentices 7
Average AIR 2.1
Average CCS score 37.5
Waste diverted from landfill 94.5%
Cost/m2 £2,170m²
Cost/m2 excl abnormals £1,542m²

City College, STEM Building

/in , , /by

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.

Advanced Engineering Centre, Bridgwater College

/in , /by

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

Yeovil Innovation Centre

/in , , , , , , /by

Yeovil Innovation Centre

Yeovil, Somerset

Project Details



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

Project summary

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.



“The perfect location to nurture and grow your business.”

Community Engagement


Career Development

  • 8 Apprentices through the project

Key Challenges


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.

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.

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.

Project Takeaways