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Oakmoor Secondary School Expansion
The Challenge
The school, previously known as Bordon Secondary School needed to meet the requirements of 900 school places and relocate from the eastern side of town to a more central location for children in both Bordon and neighbouring Whitehill. In 2015, Bordon and Whitehill were selected by the NHS’s Healthy New Towns scheme in hopes to develop a healthier environment, a strong sense of community and better care services within the local area. It was therefore imperative that the new school included facilities that would boost the children’s well-being.
Due to constricting budget restraints, it was crucial that Kier worked closely with Hampshire County Council’s team and maintained consistent communication throughout the project to help bring their dream school to life.
The Solution
In order to create a modern and cohesive learning environment that satisfies the councils’ design, a proposal was approved for a collegiate style campus with four separate buildings connected by a central courtyard. This courtyard was intended to be a social and teaching hub, therefore encouraging a positive and well-connected community.
As part of the town’s Healthy Living Masterplan, extensive consultation with Sport England was carried out to devise a diverse range of facilities that could be used by the children all year round, therefore encouraging activity. The school was built in an area easily accessible for residents of Bordon and Whitehill, acting as a gateway to intertwine the communities.
To prioritise sustainability, the project adopted a low-energy, fabric-first strategy by making the most of the surrounding and historical Woolmer Forest. This resulted in the school possessing beautiful views of nature, boosting student and faculty morale. Additionally, a large expanse of PV panels on the southern teaching wing’s roof provides 10% of the school’s energy requirements.
The Results
The new Oakmoor School is a modern building with two-storey teaching wings spanning from the central courtyard, with school halls and sports halls at either end. The covered courtyard effectively reduces internal floor area and prevents the corridors from becoming overcrowded. Additionally, entrances to teaching wings are defined by staircases, once again minimising the volume of students within corridors. Passing through the courtyard promotes a healthier lifestyle as students and teachers will get a breath of fresh air while traveling easily between classes.
86.4%
SME Spend
£362,000
Added Value
8.6
Client Satisfaction
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Fair
Sustainability
10% energy requirements from green energy
Safe
Zero RIDDORs
Legacy
900 academy places
Aftercare
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Nexus Training and Production
Surrey County Council
Project Team
Architect
HGP Architects
Civil Engineer
Lyons O’Neill
The Challenge
As part of its global expansion, L3 commissioned a new £40m training and production facility on a site owned by Surrey County Council just a few miles from Gatwick Airport. The Nexus Training and Production Facility is critical for the UK’s aviation industry, as it will attract huge amounts of inward investment.
Engineering solutions were required due to the ground contamination and temporary works were needed on the existing retaining wall which made meeting the programme end date a challenge.
The Solution
Willmott Dixon deployed a team of commercial building specialists to create the exact conditions needed for the fixed-based simulators as well as briefing rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms and a restaurant.
To meet the challenge of having a fully operational facility by summer 2019 an experienced management team were on hand to ensure any requests for changes were accommodated and fitted into a complex building schedule, making sure the 60,000 square foot facility came in on schedule.
The Results
The project involves creating two rather special buildings. The first is a global centre for excellence in airline training and houses eight flight simulators, each costing £12m. It also includes a number of fixed-based simulators plus briefing rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms and a restaurant.
The second building, opposite, is a similarly sized facility to manufacture 30 simulators a year and be a base for more than 300 employees.
6
Apprentices
96.8
SME Spend
£5.6m
Added Value
9/10
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Fair
99%
Sustainability
Waste diverted from landfill: 99%
Solar power was used to power temporary site accommodation
Safe
Zero Harm
Legacy
Shortlisted for LABC awards 2020
Safety tours undertaken on for local school children
Aftercare
Handover and aftercare process followed
New Addington Leisure Centre
London Borough of Croydon
Project Team
Civil Engineer: Enginuiti
Architect: GT3
Project Manager: Gleeds
The Challenge
The new multi-level site was designed to transform the western side of Central Parade in New Addington, Croydon to provide community spaces, state of the art sports facilities and eight new family homes running parallel with the swimming pool, separated only by a considered designed structural wall.
Local businesses needed to maintain ‘business as usual’ so Willmott Dixon undertook and deployed a extremely detailed logics phased plan.
The Solution
The new flexible space features two multi-purpose halls, a cafe, meeting rooms, offices and dressing rooms, with an option of licence applications for booked events.
The facility provides:
- Community Halls
- Community Cafe
- Six lane 25 m pool with spectator seating for up to 150 people
- Learner pool
- Wet changing village
- Large fitness gym incorporating a spin studio
- Dry change facilities
- Multipurpose studios (Fitness and community)
- Indoor four court sports hall with associated changing facilities
- Public realm upgrades
The Results
Overall, the project helped create over 75 jobs for local Croydon residents and was where Willmott Dixon held their first Building Lives Academy. This was an initiative to upskill young people in Croydon and provide them with valuable construction experience and gain qualifications within the industry.
The development has provided high quality leisure and community facilities which is a significant improvement on the previous facilities in the area.
The project won the RICS Social Impact 2020 award in recognition of the positive impact Building Lives has made on the community.
The team also helped facilitate the Christmas lights switch on in New Addington, not only donating funds to the charity but helped create their own Santa’s Grotto in the local community.
4
Apprentices
96.2%
SME Spend
17.7%
Added Value
9
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Legacy
RICS Social Impact 2020 award won in recognition of the positive impact Building Lives has made on the community.
Helped facilitate the Christmas lights switch on in New Addington. The team not only donated funds to the charity but helped create their own Santa’s Grotto in the local community.
Fair
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Sustainability
99% of waste diverted
Safe
CCS Score 40
Aftercare
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Barton Farm
Winchester, Hampshire
Awards
RIBA Awards 2022
Shortlisted
AJ Architecture Awards 2021
School category – Shortlisted
SPACES Awards 2021
Highly Commended
Civic Trust Awards 2022
The Challenge
Due to the 2,000 new homes being built as part of the Kings Barton development, there was a requirement for additional school places for the local area.
The project presented a challenging cost plan and was a very intricate, detailed and customer led design.
Unfortunately the project was put on hold for 12 months due to the housing developer not being as advanced as first anticipated, which meant the school placements weren’t needed as early as first though. With the project being pushed back a year, the planning had expired by the time the project was up and running again.
The Solution
By aligning with the school’s high standards for environmental sustainability and quality, Willmott Dixon were able to create an environment where children will learn and flourish which is aspirational, inclusive and joyful.
The School’s design is based on sustainable, low energy, fabric-first principles achieving BREEAM Excellent rating with: wild flower green roof; PV’s, natural ventilation; surface water drainage managed on site with porous surfaces; bio-diverse landscape areas in courtyards; and rainwater recycling for flushing wc’s and landscape irrigation.
The design also incorporated future planning and infrastructure for a future 1FE expansion and a Teacher Development Facility.
The Results
The architecturally striking school, designed by Hampshire County Council’s award-winning Property Services Team, features a main hall, holistic music and drama studio, ‘discovery point’ library, staff room and workspace, administration offices, and classrooms offering a high quality learning environment.
The school is one of the most sustainable schools in Hampshire and it has created over 400 new school places.
A key part of the success of this project was the customer welcoming early supply chain input and engaging in collaborative working practices.
4
Apprentices
£250,000.
SME Spend
£900k
Added Value
8.3
Client Satisfaction
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Fair
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Sustainability
99% of target waste diverted
Safe
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 41
Legacy
4 Apprenticeships
140 Apprenticeship weeks
Aftercare
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Marlborough Primary and Special School
The Marlborough Primary and Special School project overseen by main contractor Mace saw the redevelopment by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to provide a new two form entry primary school in the heart of Chelsea. It has seen the old unsuitable Victorian school building on the site demolished and the construction of a new Marlborough Primary School.
The Challenge
- Complex site logistics as the site was landlocked – bounded on two sides by roads and party walls on the two gable ends.
- Demolition and partial salvage of the existing Victorian structure, including removal of large quantities of asbestos.
- Construction and relocation of the existing school onto an adjacent warehouse property, as well as move-management from temporary school back to new building.
- Working restrictions such as delivery times, construction nuisance (noise, vibration and dust) and quiet times dictated by RBKC planners are an added challenge.
The Solution
Robust strategies were agreed with suppliers and RBKC highways. Utilising an online booking system with additional on-site traffic marshals and suspension of adjacent parking bays to create a holding pit-lane. Together with detailed method statements submitted and approved by the adjacent party wall surveyors.
Prior to any demolition works being undertaken careful planning took place including surveys such as R&D to determine the extent of asbestos material.
Careful planning and development works were undertaken in conjunction with the school to ensure the temporary school met their teaching requirements. A detailed time/motion study was also undertaken to ensure the school was moved with the minimal of fuss.
Construction stage management plans including logistics and community engagement were delivered which fully document how liaison with local residents was undertaken together with arrangements to control construction nuisance.
The Results
- The final logistics strategy agreed during early preconstruction stage brought all-round benefits – zero complaints or delays.
- The project received many awards including the prestigious 2018 RIBA National Award.
- Logistics strategy agreed as part of the 2-stage early engagement led to added value savings of £650k.
4
Apprentices
£650k
Added Value
8/10
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Sustainability
The project was able to reclaim more than 80,000 bricks from the demolition of the original school building.
98% waste diverted from landfills
Fair
Financial management was proactively managed for the duration of the contract.
Safe
To ensure the works did not unduly impact local residents, a Section 61 Agreement was obtained with specific agreements on working hours, delivery times and construction nuisance.
Legacy
Both Mace and the supply chain provided extensive apprentice opportunities through appointment of an employment/skills manager and charter.
Aftercare
The handover plan, developed during preconstruction, ensured we adequately programmed and resourced RBKC’s handover requirements, this included a detailed handover checklist for our team.
SCF Framework Manager
James Wright
Email: james.wright@hants.gov.uk
Phone: : 07761 330560
Contractor Framework Manager
David Chambers
Email: david.chambers@macegroup.com
Phone: 07789 514895
Heathfield Academy
Croydon
Project Team
Architects: Hunters
Project Managers: Mott MacDonald
Quantity Surveyors: Keegans
Services: Van Zyl & de Villiers
The Challenge
Heathfield Academy had plans on being the “school of choice” for parents and children in the near future following our work to create its new home. Prior to the team building their new school home, Heathfield Academy was on a temporary site before moving to its new purpose built facility in Aberdeen Road. Extremely tight and built up surrounding residential property meant detailed planning was needed for just in time deliveries of materials and plant. Willmott Dixon meticulous logistical planning ensured zero harm and delivered on time.
The Solution
Early supply chain engagement ensured Willmott Dixon Technical Programme Manager was able to increase productivity to the benefit of LB Croydon. Having a tight site significantly reduced site storage putting pressure on timeline. Engaging a logistics-led solution throughout preconstruction and then into construction significantly reduced construction risks. The project went smoothly and was completed to budget and on time.
The Results
Now the new school boost brilliant facilities with two halls, modern ICT suite, library, learning deck on the roof, plus small group rooms and a therapy space to support children with special educational needs. Heathfield was awarded 2019 SECBE ‘Project of the Year’.
2
Apprentices
85%
SME Spend
20%
Added Value
10/10
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Legacy
All the future pupils visited the site during construction. They also witnessed the dismantling of the crane. A good opportunity to introduce construction to the children.
Willmott Dixon have been offering additional training through Fushion. They have been providing facilities training to the Academy.
Fushion are going to continue support by regularly visiting the Academy for retraining on the facilities.
Fair
Regular payments and payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Sustainability
99% of waste diverted from landfill
Safe
Zero harm
Aftercare
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
Dover Leisure Centre
BAM Construction built a new leisure centre which includes swimming pools, sports hall, squash courts and a gym. The new leisure centre has been designed to meet the latest Sport England facilities requirements, including access for people with a wide range of disabilities.
Key Features:
- Eight-lane, 25m swimming pool
- Spectator seating at high level
- Learner pool with movable floor
- Poolside sauna and steam room
- Wet changing village
- Clip ‘n climb feature
- Two squash courts
- Four-court sports hall
- Fitness suite
The Challenge
Site Conditions: Due to the quality of soil and level differences, more than 12,000m3 of topsoil and material needed to be removed from site to form the level base and pits for the pool and squash courts.
Budget: Challenging budget requiring innovative cost effective design solutions.
The Solution
Site Conditions: BAM established a link with a local waste centre just 3.3 miles away. The material was removed from site and delivered to the centre as capping material, on return, these lorries delivered recycled aggregates for use on site. To reduce disruption to local communities, BAM used precast piles instead of traditional continuous flight auger piling. Traditional piling would have needed an additional 80 lorry movements for the concrete deliveries and soil removal. Using the alternative BAM reduced this to just 16 deliveries keeping our impact on the community to a minimum.
Budget: Redesign led to the omission of the basement and the relocation of the substation saved significant cost and 4 weeks on programme. Fortnightly design and cost review meetings were held and early engagement with BAM on the MEP package meant that we could optimise the ventilation design, changing it to cross-ventilation. As well as saving over £100k, combining this solution with CO2 sensors and control units throughout the building, enabled the management team to create a better and fresher indoor environment for the user.
The Results
The Dover leisure project team (led by Dover District Council) developed into a strong and organised group working towards the common goal – the opening of the leisure centre – on time, to budget and the right quality.
The building represents a major investment in the health and well-being of the district that is fit for the 21st century that sets new standards in facilities, access, and sustainability. The new leisure centre is accessible to all, providing easy access to the swimming pools, and wheelchair accessible gym and changing facilities.
Fully transparent cost management built trust and confidence early on. BAM were instrumental in delivering £1.4m of added value benefits during the design development process.
304
Apprentice weeks
£3.8m
SME Spend
£3m
Added Value
100%
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Fair
Payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Safe
Zero RIDDORs
Aftercare
SCF Charter
Legacy
60% local labour / £6.4m social value delivered
20 local school and college visits; 14 weeks of work placements provided; 21 advanced H&S qualifications
36 qualifications were achieved by those working on this project.
Created more than £250,000 worth of value in local skills and employment
Sustainability
The Centre is the most energy efficient leisure centre in Kent with a Grade A energy certificate rating. The new building uses a gas combined heat and power (CHP) plant which produces electricity and hot water for the site.
70 solar panels producing 27.22 MWh of electricity since opening and saving 69,567.15kg of CO2 emissions.
The local branch of Community Wood Recycling was engaged to transfer waste timber from site.
SCF Framework Manager
James Wright
Email: james.wright@hants.gov.uk
Phone: : 07761 330560
Contractor Framework Manager
Darren Birch
Email: dbirch@bam.com
Phone: 07920 134843
The Challenge
In 2009, Buckinghamshire Council adopted a sports facility strategy that recommended the support of a new stadium and sports hub, along with the development of a new sports centre for High Wycombe, replacing a facility that had served the local community for four decades. Over the years the centre expanded, and many hundreds and thousands of people used it.
One of the issues with the existing gym was that there wasn’t much room to fit many people in, which would make them feel cramped and was limiting membership growth.
The existing leisure centre continued to operate throughout this project which meant the new one had to be delivered without impacting the operations. There were access difficulties at the original leisure centre’s existing car park and to reduce the loss of parking capacity at the existing site, works accelerated on the car park which helped release 100 spaces four months early.
The Solution
In order to make the project a success, it was essential that the design and construction teams worked collaboratively, particularly when building the Olympic size swimming pool.
The new design for the gym has been a significant improvement, providing lots of natural light due to the high ceilings and open spaces which also creates more room for people to exercise in.
The Results
Since opening the centre in 2016 opened there has been a real sense of excitement in the local area. The 10,750m2 rectangular sports centre is one of the biggest sports facilities in the South East
Members and staff can enjoy the exciting new facilities such as a 150 station gym, indoor cycling studio, 50 metre competition pool, 12 badminton court sports hall, steam room and sauna and more. Since opening, the centre doubled its number of memberships from 2000 to 4000.
360 training weeks
Apprentices
£250,000.
SME Spend
£5,000,000.
Added Value
8.3
Client Satisfaction
Client Testimonials
Contractor Performance | Commitments
Fair
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Sustainability
99% of waste diverted from landfill
Safe
42/50 (Bronze award achieved)
Legacy
360 Training weeks achieved and 11 apprentices
Aftercare
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
