HMRC
Croydon
Project Details
Project Summary
HMRC’s flagship centre in Croydon was devised around the people who use it at its heart – expected to reach 2,500 strong. Shortlisted for a BCO Award, the building’s space is intended to create an environment where collaboration, efficiency and innovation can thrive. The spacious interior houses working areas and secure rooms divided by airy balconies, breakout spaces and cafes. In meeting the government’s challenge of “doing more with less”, this radical new design sets the bar high in revolutionising how civil servants work.
Completed as part of a two-stage design and build to Cat B fit-out standards, the building was handed over in just 23 weeks. This was achieved by efficiently programming the fit-outs to the 10 office floors simultaneously. As testament to our approach to the delivery, the project scored a high Considerate Constructor’s Scheme score of 45/50, with acknowledgement of our team’s commitment to community engagement and providing a positive working environment.
Key Challenges
• The initial design was not sufficiently detailed to allow construction to start.
• There were a significant number of previous outstanding works and base build defects to rectify before our works could commence.
• Significant client changes were made (totaling £1m) to the originally agreed programme of works.
• The modification of the base build installations for accessible users were hindered by complexities.
Our Successes
• To tackle the outstanding base build defects and outstanding works, we provided a turnkey solution using our in-house FM company, Mace Macro to provide interim building and FM services. This enabled the base build defects and outstanding works to be carried out as part of the CAT B programme.
• To accommodate the client change, we were able to carefully reschedule and accelerate suitable work packages. This approach allowed the programme to progress to achieve the additional works required while protecting the client’s move in date, which was sacrosanct.
• A requirement was raised from some of the building’s end-users to make it more accessible to all. We held working groups to listen to their needs and adapt the base build installations accordingly, for example we were able to install automated doors in areas to improve access.
Our Learnings
• Our decision to novate the Stage 3 design was hugely beneficial in accommodating the significant number of client changes and achieving an extremely short preconstruction period on time.
• Hosting working groups for the building’s end-users to discuss any concerns and ideas to make the space more amenable to their requirements was a great success and allowed us to alter the design early to incorporate changes, for example the installation of automated doorways.
Value Added
- In total, our employment and skills targets delivered 91 apprentice and trainee weeks.
- £7.5k was raised by our project team for a local homeless charity.
- Croydon College students studying construction skills were given tours of the project at each stage to give them a valuable insight into the changing dynamics of a live site.
- 83% of project spend was made to SMEs.
- Joinery mock-ups – We built workstation mocks during the preconstruction stage to help the client gauge the final result in terms of materials and build and make informed decisions early to make any changes.
| Contract | Gateway 3 Contract Formation | Gateway 4 Project Completion | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £16,345,919 | £16,515,504 | +£169,585 (1%) |
| Time | 23 weeks | 23 weeks | 0 |
