Challenge 1
Winton Academy was a logistically tight and challenging site. This was due to the fact that construction was surrounded on all four sides by live class blocks and with a farm within close proximity.
Challenge 2
There was great emphasis placed on the quality of the new facility; however due to the lack of space on site, the team were unable to accommodate a ‘benchmark’ room.
Solution 1
To manage the logistically challenging site, a thorough and robust plan of action for safety on the project was required, including the following:
Frequent and regular communication with the school, client and all stakeholders involved
‘Just in Time’ deliveries were opted where possible, due to minimal storage space on-site
The project team segregated the site with hoarding
‘Movement times’ required on the project meant if there were any deliveries, the team could only move materials during certain periods of the day
Further barriers such as Heras fencing were installed to segregate the team from the school and the farm
Solution 2
The team had samples for a number of materials that would be used throughout the project, including:
CLT – Brickwork – Mortar – Flooring
Along with the material samples, the team undertook daily inspections which were recorded on the Site Information Management System. Additionally, weekly quality inspections were undertaken by the client and third-party inspections were undertaken of the flat roof installation, with a written report provided. Lastly, 360o photographic evidence via Oculo was used on the project to ensure Quality Assurance.
The team successfully mitigated the impact of the site works to both the school and local community, as demonstrated in the Considerate Constructors Site Report which achieved 15/15 for ‘Respect the Community’ and Customer Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) which scored 10/10 for safety.
39 No of SMEs – 18 beneficiaries – 7 jobs created – 53 trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 2955 students & 131 hours
£175 donations to charity – £2.32 LM3
78% social value created – 88% local spend
100% waste diverted from landfill
100% timber responsibly sourced
Soft landings for handover and a dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Zero RIDDORS – CCS Score 44/45
100% payment within 30 days terms
Deliver a new build SEN school block and separate hydrotherapy pool within the ground of the existing PSS school site whilst the school remains live and operational. Hydrotherapy block added into scheme after Teaching block works had commenced making logistics on project challenging and tight. Hydro Pool block also instructed as a D&B phase being taken from concept design through to completion by MSC.
29 SME’s used on the project
6 new entrants, a total of 57 locally employed employees, equivalent to 5.79FTE
168 training weeks completed during project delivery
Schools engagement: 9 students completed a work experience placement, MSC attended 4 CIAG events interacting with 380 students.
£650 donations to charity, in addition the site team contributed 5 (1 per MSC staff member) hampers towards our Christmas Hamper drive, which we donated to local Runnymede Foodbank
£1.79 per £1 – 24.95% social value created
We collaborated with both Philip Southcote School and Fordway AP to launch a pilot work experience programme, giving 16 students the opportunity to explore a range of disciplines across the construction industry. Throughout the week, students engaged in site tours, met professionals from various roles, and took part in open, honest conversations about careers in the field. The programme concluded with student teams presenting their ideas on how to improve sustainability in the build. Feedback from both students and teachers highlighted the positive impact and inspiration the experience delivered.
100% waste diverted from landfill
100% timber responsibly sourced
Storage and reuse of stripped top soil at the start of the project, did not require any imported top soil to reinstate the field area, reducing the carbon of the project by 12.7 tonnes.
Good communication between MSC/ Client team/ End user regards post completion works.
Continuation of delivery into aftercare – Chris Horsley is dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact for aftercare supported by Steve Sear
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Zero RIDDORS
CCS Score 44/45
100% payment within 30 days terms
The design was carried out in two volumes – developing the design for the school and for future extension. The project had a BIM Level 2 requirement with a verification point cloud survey to be carried out prior to handing over the asset information model.
The biggest challenge was the Building Control review of the high performance fast-track SIPS construction and associated structural elements (supporting steelwork and precast concrete first floor and stairs).
Morgan Sindall took the project from RIBA Stage 2 and developed the design to Stage 5. A BIM model was produced which incorporated the architectural, structural, civil, MEPH and specialist sprinkler designs. The FF&E and catering subcontractor models were developed alter and incorporated in the Project Information Model.
The school was built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) structural frame with a series of panels manufactured off-site and assembled on-site. To make best use of the clash detection process, the SIPSs subcontractor Innovare began work alongside the design consultants at Stage 3. The MEPH subcontractor also began work early during the design period allowing access zones around the plan equipment to be added to the BIM Execution Plan as a modelling item. Once the SIPs frame was installed, it was laser scanned. The scan output could then be used to compare the built asset against the digital model.
The use of a Project Information Manager was invaluable to the design team meeting COBie requirements. This resulted in the last validation reporting showing Stage 4 data was on target and met the Information Exchange requirements. The design team continued to develop the model with a final update carried out after the point cloud information was issued to form an accurate Asset Information Model.
The off-site manufacture approach created a bespoke solution which provide cost efficiencies through a standardisation of the process and increases sustainability through a fabric-first approach. The SIPs were manufactured under factory controlled conditions resulting in a system that was extremely quick to install, strong, energy-efficient and cost and time effective.
29 No of SMEs – 22 beneficiaries – 5 jobs created – 155 trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 30 students – 86% social value created
£300 donations to charity – 30 volunteer hours
97% waste diverted from landfill
100% timber responsibly sourced
Order placed with Community Wood Recycling and a wood recycling bay for regular collections was set up. This resulted in 14.3 tonnes collected with a saving of £492.06 and the majority being high-grade reuse.
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
Zero RIDDORS
CCS Score 43/45
100% payment within 30 days terms
Built to be net-zero in operation, Silverwood also represents the future of sustainable education estates. The school reaches net zero carbon through a combination of renewable energy and low-carbon systems and materials.
Over 1,000 solar panels generate more than 400 MWh annually—enough to power the entire facility, with surplus energy exported to the local grid. Three biomass boilers provide sustainable heating. In a pioneering community energy initiative, the solar panels are owned and operated by Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy, generating approximately £5,000 annually to support environmental education at the school. Material choices were also at the heart of Silverwood’s highly sustainable build with embodied carbon reduced through use of a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) frame.
As a result of the precise construction methods and materials, the building achieves an airtightness score of 1.843/hr/m2 - that’s highly energy efficient compared to the average modern building, which is around 53/hr/m2. The school also achieves an EPC score of –13. The negative number indicates that the building generates more energy than it consumes annually. Sustainability by design drove every element of the project plan. Silverwood achieved remarkable results in construction waste management: 98.8% of all construction waste was diverted from landfill. This positive environmental outcome was achieved through a comprehensive Material Management Plan.
The project diverted 25,000 m³ of excavated material for complete on-site reuse, while 1,096 pallets were collected by Pallet Loop for reuse instead of disposal. Community Wood Recycling Social Enterprise collected 256 tonnes of timber from the site, and 10 pallets of spare bricks were donated to St Edmunds Society for apprentice training.
Silverwood students also gained valuable learning opportunities by constructing bird boxes made with reused waste timber from the construction site. All hard and soft plastics were segregated and recycled. Insulation offcuts were collected and sent offsite for reuse.
By reusing 100% of excavated material on-site rather than disposing to landfill, the project saved an estimated £715,000 in avoided disposal costs. This calculation factors in landfill gate fees, landfill tax, and haulage costs minus onsite management expenses, demonstrating that sustainable construction makes both environmental and economic sense.
6718 students engaged with and 115 trainee weeks
4% Biodiversity net gain 25,000m3 excavated materials reused on site
Zero RIDDORS
100% payment within 30 days terms
Soft landings for handover
Willmott Dixon’s specialist residential team worked with OX Place to build Bridges Cross, a new community providing a mix of 36 homes for local people in Speedwell Street.
Made available for council tenants, shared owners and homeowners, with almost three-quarters affordable. It comprises of a single block of four to six storeys, made up of 18 one-bed flats, 17 two-bed flats and one three-bed flat.
Bridges Cross was designed by Levitt Bernstein Architects and supported with £1.38m from the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal. It sits on the site of a 13th century Dominican Order (Blackfriars) friary that was demolished after the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1538
To reduce running costs for people living in the homes, Bridges Cross incorporates a “fabric first” approach where the homes are designed with enhanced insulation and air tightness standards. This prevents heat leakage when cold but also supports passive cooling when warm. It is supplemented by rooftop solar PV panels which generate up to 60 per cent of the development’s overall energy use.
Further features include a green roof that improves air quality, aids natural cooling, absorbs rainwater, and encourages biodiversity
The minimal carbon footprint is further supported by being a car-free development, except for two parking spaces equipped with EV chargers for flats adapted to people with mobility needs. Also, every flat is provided with two bike parking spaces
All properties within the development will operate at 40% below current government carbon reduction targets
100% payment within 30 days terms
Zero RIDDORS
Soft landings for handover
207 :trainee weeks
The project faced a multitude of challenges, including a live site adjacent to the construction area, imposing constraints on logistics and site management.
The task of developing a school tailored to cater to the needs of children with severe learning difficulties, particularly those with SEN/ASD, added layers of complexity to the project.
The tight timeline further enhanced the situation, demanding innovative solutions to adhere to the tight programme.
Using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) proved instrumental in achieving both time and cost savings, enabling the project to stay within the confines of the client’s budget while meeting the ambitious schedule.
Through a comprehensive lessons learned process, Morgan Sindall Construction established a continuous improvement cycle, capturing insights and best practices from each project stage.
Collaborating with Streif, consultants, and internal design managers, the team refined design coordination processes, emphasizing the importance of early-stage design freeze to streamline offsite manufacturing and to make sure the project was within programme and budget.
The implementation of these refined processes and strategies led to smoother project progression and minimized potential delays.
By prioritising effective site segregation and communication strategies, Morgan Sindall Construction successfully mitigated disruptions to school operations during construction, ensuring a conducive learning environment for students.
This commitment to continuous improvement not only enhanced project efficiency but also reinforced the organization’s reputation for delivering high-quality, impactful construction projects.
Due to using MCC this project achieved significant carbon savings of over 1220 tonnes and reduced transport miles by a staggering 132,000.
The expansion not only met but exceeded expectations, with a 10/10 customer satisfaction rating.
5 workless job starts
97 trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 2 careers fairs.
7 work placement week
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
100% timber responsibly sourced
1220 Tonnes of Carbon saved
Zero RIDDORS
CCS Score 45/45
100% payment within 30 days terms
The challenge was not only to create a state-of-the-art facility with larger ceremony spaces, advanced technical operations, and a dignified environment rooted in the calmness of the surrounding landscape, but also to do so within a constrained budget and during a period of significant disruption caused by the Covid19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
The project was procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), which provided a collaborative two stage process and enabled early contractor involvement. This approach proved critical when initial cost planning had to be reviewed.
Through the SCF process, the project team were able to undertake extensive value engineering, identifying more than £4m in savings while maintaining the quality and ambition of the design. At the same time, enabling works such as site access improvements, ecological mitigation, archaeological investigations, and the diversion of a rising sewer main were advanced to keep momentum on site and mitigate programme delays.
The complexity of the design, requiring careful attention to privacy, dignity, and technical precision in every detail, added further pressure to the delivery. Ultimately, the SCF framework provided the structure for collaboration, transparency, and problem solving that allowed the team to overcome financial and logistical challenges and turn their long held vision of a modern bereavement centre into reality.
The finished building is divided into three main parts due to the land’s topography and the requirement for separate spaces: two ceremony spaces with ancillary rooms, and a private ‘back of house’ building for technical equipment, support, and welfare facilities. The new facility has designs inspired by the landscape, where the buildings nestle into the slope of the site.
The project has delivered three spacious ceremony rooms of differing capacity inspired by Scandinavian design, offer a minimal and tranquil aesthetic. The architectural language, materials and colours used are natural and provide a neutral backdrop for celebrations of any denomination, faith or theme. Large windows provide plenty of natural light and opportunities for reflective views. The latest AV technology for livestreaming services and colour-change lighting settings are also available here.
The modern crematory houses three cremators with space for a fourth. The 17-acre site includes a memorial meadow, dedicated children’s memorial area, and other thoughtfully selected memorials.
The development also includes offices, a reception, waiting areas, a family room, a meeting room, an administration area, and car parking for mourners. A separate café building with two flexible function rooms is positioned near the main entrance with its own car park.
This new project replaces outdated facilities with a modern one, maintaining in-house service delivery. The unique design, using local and natural materials, provides a different architectural style rooted in the local vernacular. The design focus of the project was landscape-led, with careful consideration of the building’s location, use of topography, and natural drainage elements delivering the initial brief requirements.
Throughout the duration of the project, we completed: Launched the first cohort of Hard Hat Ready, the first 4-week programme focused on bringing the unemployed into employment based on a live site in partnership with Seetec Plus. 31 learners took part in the programme, 30 gained CSCS cards, 28 progressed into employment and/ or apprenticeship opportunities.
Community Engagement: Throughout the duration of the project, we completed: Kier volunteers dedicated their time to maintaining Weston Mill Cemetery and Efford Crematorium, working through challenging conditions to clear litter and debris from graves and tend to the garden of remembrance. This effort reinforced our commitment to social value, complementing the construction of the new crematorium by supporting the local community and its surroundings.
Kier supported YMCA Plymouth through initiatives like the young girls’ mentoring programme and the “Pledge to Paint” campaign, which renovated two classrooms that hadn’t been updated in over 20 years. These efforts empowered local youth and improved educational spaces, highlighting Kier’s dedication to creating lasting social value in the community.
Collaborating with the design team and creating a detailed cut and fill model greatly reduced surplus excavation carted away to landfill, saving traffic movements, carbon emissions, time, and costs. The landscaping design was wildlife friendly, incorporating wildflower meadows and tree planting. Efforts were made to maximise retention of existing hedgerows and achieve an ecological net gain of over 10%. This had to be sympathetically done whilst incorporating suitable external features and space for memorialisation’s.
This project included an extensive SUDs system with associate ponds and included the diversion of an existing watercourse that was enhanced with native planting and bridged. A foul treatment plant was installed to save time and cost by avoiding the need to connect to existing offsite main drainage infrastructure.
The carbon footprint of the building was reduced by producing renewable energy on site and reducing the power consumption of the building. This has been done by installing a substantial solar arrangement to the rear of the main building, and installing LED lighting installed throughout the premises. Additionally, electric vehicle (EV) charging points have been installed in the car parks.
Zero RIDDORS
CCS Score 40/45
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
100% payment within 30 days terms
Commencing in August 2023 and completed in December 2024, this £5.5m project serves the diverse student and faculty population at the University of Exeter. The enriching new facility aims to promote respect and diversity of all faiths and beliefs and create a sense of community and inclusion on campus and beyond. The new centre is a space for quiet reflection, multifaith activities and events, as well as providing a 50 person Muslim prayer space, and a dedicated home for the University’s Multifaith Chaplains who serve the whole community, uniting 14 faith groups and a student population representing over 150 countries. It is named in honour of alumna of the University and former Chair of the University’s Council, Sarah Turvill.
The biggest challenge faced by the project was the stringent demands of a Passivhaus project, which require a proactive approach, aligned supply chain and immense attention to detail. The project was also situated on a busy area of campus, sandwiched between student support buildings, lecture theatres, teaching spaces and even laboratories working within stringent environmental conditions, however, the project consistently scored 45 on the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
Willmott Dixon team overcame these difficulties through collaboration with stakeholders and experience from other Passivhaus projects which included:
Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions have been fundamental to the design and the construction of the building, which aims to achieve Passivhaus certification for its energy efficiency, carbon reduction and air quality. The building is constructed from energy efficient porotherm blocks and includes air source heat pumps and solar panels on the roof.
Our work to achieve Passivhaus Classic Certification included rigorous low-energy design standards, significantly improving building comfort, air quality and energy use, with greater carbon reduction.
One way was through using low carbon porotherm clay blocks, which are made from 30% recycled materials and have an expected lifespan of 150 years; even after which the blocks can be recycled. It also incorporated high levels of insulation including triple glazed windows to drive high air tightness performance. It also benefits from air source heat pumps and PV solar panels on the roof.
Beyond the building itself, the project’s impact extended to the wider community. Over 100 people benefitted from outreach initiatives, including site tours and CV workshops for prison leavers. On-site mental health talks and screenings supported worker wellbeing, reinforcing a culture of care.
Despite the challenges of working on an active campus, the project was delivered on time and budget, with extensive community outreach and careful sequencing to minimise disruption to the live campus. The result is a pioneering, net-zero-ready building that celebrates diversity, promotes wellbeing, and exemplifies construction excellence.
5,151.88kg CO₂ savings using hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO), a low carbon diesel alternative.
99.77% construction wasted diverted from landfill
21,697KG embodied carbon saving
0.5 airtightness exceeds Passivhaus 0.6 target
100% fossil fuel-free in operation
Willmott Dixon prides itself on meeting the expected payment period.
171 training weeks
342 student interactions
233 people benefitted from employment workshops
10 work experience placements
72% of the workforce within the Exeter postcode
591 trees planted in Exeter
“The University of Exeter opened the doors of an exciting and unique new building on it’s Streatham Campus in December 2024, The Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre, which was constructed by Willmott Dixon in 14 months.
Located in the heart of the campus, the new, purpose-built Centre promotes inclusion and respect for diverse faiths and beliefs, while fostering a sense of community, encouraging connections and inter-faith collaborations and is a space for quiet reflection, prayer and contemplation for all.
This building is unique in that it brings together carefully designed dedicated Muslim prayer space and washing facilities (wudu) with a multifaith room for other faith and worldview groups, as well as quiet space alongside both indoor and outdoor social spaces.
The space provides a dedicated home for the University’s Multifaith Chaplains who serve the whole community, uniting 14 faith groups and a student population representing over 150 countries.
A number of students have commented on how the new building has provided them with a ‘home’ at university, a safe and welcoming space that they know is inclusive and welcoming to all.
Over 30 student and colleague groups and societies make use of the space on a regular basis and the building is booked for activities and events on average 49 hours per week.
Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions have been paramount in the design, construction and operation of the building. The innovative techniques have resulted in the building achieving PassivHaus Certification (an internationally recognised high standard of energy efficiency, carbon reduction and air quality).
The building has been constructed using low carbon materials. The use of low energy technology, such as air source heat pumps, further reduce carbon emissions from the operation of the building, and a series of roof mounted PV panels take advantage of the building’s sunny location to provide a zero carbon energy source.
Careful consideration and respect was also given to the cultural and religious importance of the space. Throughout the project, the team consulted with stakeholders representing the building’s future residents and users, as well as students and university colleagues.
The finished building looks striking and creates an island of calm within a busy area of Streatham Campus. Our student’s and colleagues are already making use of the facility and enjoying the benefits of this dedicated community space in which everyone’s beliefs are valued.
The Southern Construction Framework, (SCF) was instrumental in the delivery of this project.
The need for this building was well overdue, with the existing faith facilities proving to be unfit for purpose, being dispersed across campus, providing limited flexibility in use and not accessible to all users.
SCF provided a robust and trusted framework to enable the University to quickly access the construction supplier market.
Given the high sustainability aspirations for the building, the University identified the need for a specialist and highly skilled construction partner. This is where SCF came into its own, already having experienced and verified suppliers embedded within their Framework.
SCF assisted the University in identifying and selecting suitable candidates through a competitive selection process.
Willmott Dixon were selected and operated in a true partnership manner, to successfully delivering the University’s first PassivHaus building, helping the University along their journey to achieving their sustainability objectives.”
The Clive Booth Student Accommodation project has transformed the living and learning experience for students studying at the Oxford Brookes University. In total, the new learning village includes four Purpose Built Student Accommodation blocks, with each block comprising of, 8-10 bedrooms, a shared kitchen, vinyl flooring, extensive storage and open communal areas. Overall, 342 bedrooms have been provided, with each room fit out with double beds.
The purpose of the Clive Booth project included updating a large number of the buildings on the site, which were 30 years old and were no longer fit for purpose. Through a collaborative effort between Morgan Sindall, consultants and our supply chain, we were required to provide a high quality student accommodation to meet moder standards for students.
As the village is located next to the University’s Headington campus and is a short walk from the city centre, the aspiration was that the new accommodation would help manage local housing demands by reducing the number of students living in private rented accommodation.
The key challenges the site team faced throughout the project was, ensuring the building handed over on time, whilst managing the safety of all affected parties due to working in a live environment.
Maintaining the safety and welfare of the public and students whilst on site was paramount to the project. Firstly, we ensured frequent communication with all affected parties, which included detailed newsletters of important dates, milestones and other important news.
The topography and congestion of the site further complicated the project, presenting a challenge for plants to safely manoeuvre around. It was proposed during the infancy of the project to opt for cranes on site. This was an important feature of the project as this posed far less safety risks, in comparison to the use of forklifts. Initially, there was to be 5 cranes on site for each block, however, as one block was omitted from the scope of works, 4 cranes were on site.
Our team also had to carefully manage a challenging programme. Our team agreed contract principles within the pre-construction agreement (PCSA), which allowed us to get on site quicker and complete a substantial amount of works in that time. By also agreeing early enabling works packages for our sub-contractors, the project overcame challenges with long lead items which, again, safeguarded the programme.
Along with following the traditional MS and construction safety procedures on the project, the project team completed the project 100% safely (as part of our Perfect Delivery strategy) and achieved both a 45/45 on the CCS visit and a CCS Silver Award accreditation.
The project also handed over on time whilst delighting our customer, achieving a 10/10 for client satisfaction.
75% No of SMEs
98 local jobs created, contributing £3,419,808 in social value
46 work experience weeks, generating £8,947 in social value
Schools engagement: 5,001 students participated in engagement activities, contributing 232 hours.
£22,512 donations to charity
5 volunteer hours
£2.63 LM3
Delivered Social & Local Economic Value: £178,464,192 achieved, with a 158.9% return on investment in social and economic terms.
Social Value initiatives:
The site team hosted a number of site tours for students throughout the project; this included students from Orion Academy, a project we completed in 2022. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our project team were unable provide a site tour for the students during the Orion Academy project. We therefore invited them to visit the Clive Booth project, and witness construction first hand. They were also tasked with completing a construction exercise by building a bridge.
Engaged with over 5001 students throughout the project, ranging from career fairs to school visits. The project team attended a special event over at Greyfriars Catholic School in Oxford, which aimed to inspire the year 8’s and broaden their understanding of the diverse and exciting careers within the construction industry. The experience was designed to broaden the students’ knowledge and experience about the industry and where their careers in future can take them.
8% waste diverted from landfill
Over 192.4T of carbon saved
Using GIATEC Concrete sensors, which saved 23T of carbon (part of the overall 192.4T saved)
Gold Standard: Achieved in Air Quality and Water Reduction Plans, showcasing environmental responsibility.
The project team explored ways with our supply chain regarding how we could reduce the carbon output on the project; the team collaborated with concrete sensor specialists GIATEC Smartrock. GIATEC Smartrock produce concrete sensors, which are cast into the concrete slabs which measure the temperature and strength of the concrete. Via the use of a mobile app, the team could ascertain live information about whether the concrete has or hasn’t cured.
Weekly meetings with the client as part of the handover process; this included completing a handover tracker.
Handover tracker detailed all the relevant certificates, testing and inspections that MS carried out
8 month aftercare period
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 45/45
The project team achieved a CCS silver award
100% payment within 30 days terms
Email: james.wright@hants.gov.uk
Phone: 07761 330560
Email: alan.smedley@morgansindall.com
Phone: 07967 686066
This project highlights a pivotal industry shift, demonstrating that choosing the more challenging path can yield extraordinary results.
Contracted by the University of Bristol through the Southern Construction Framework, we refurbished and repurposed a central property to create a new undergraduate clinical facility. This project enables the Bristol Dental School to offer free dental treatment to city patients. The new facility will accommodate up to 400 patients per day, while approximately 200 students receive teaching and training on site each day.
Project Team
| Architect:
BDP PQS: RLB Structural Engineer: Integral Principal Contractor: Kier Construction |
The flexible design maximised the use of existing floor plates and positions of stair cores, risers, and toilet areas. However, the inner-city location in central Bristol created logistical challenges, further complicated by the early start of the Bristol district heating network. Additionally, unforeseen issues like water ingress and fire detailing posed significant challenges.
Early opening-up surveys and a full MEP services survey helped identify and address concealed issues, informing the client of potential problems and ensuring they were included in project costs. Our experienced site teams crafted logistics strategies to minimise disruptions and ensure smooth delivery of equipment and materials despite the central Bristol location’s logistical challenges. Remedial action required external access platforms and rope access crews for difficult areas like the 4-storey atrium, while fire integrity of the existing steel frame was maintained with an intumescent spray, necessitating detailed interface judgments and resequencing, which required patience from the supply chain.
In the first three months following opening, over 17,000 patient treatments were delivered. The city’s capacity for NHS111 Urgent Dental Care appointments has doubled, now treating over 1,500 patients in pain and without a dentist, exceeding the 700 visits initially planned. Outreach efforts connected with 11 primary schools, recruiting approximately 500 child patients who previously lacked access to an NHS dentist. A formal referral system for homeless patients was successfully piloted in collaboration with BrisDoc Homeless Health Service. Additionally, in partnership with Bridge2Aid, dental students provided oral health education to staff at 16 care homes and two reablement centres, supporting 90 carers and over 700 residents.
Project value spent within 30-mile radius
Payments adhered to the framework Fair Charter, promoting collaboration and a strong, resilient, and sustainable supply chain. Despite challenges of war and hyperinflation, we proactively supported the supply chain with early orders for off-site storage of materials, relieving cost pressures. Recognising constraints faced by some partners due to their involvement in other projects, we prioritised cashflow through early payments to ensure uninterrupted delivery.
The choice of the building was key to enhancing the project’s sustainability. The existing mechanical and electrical equipment reduced rework, waste, and the use of concrete and steel. During preconstruction, we collaborated with the University on an enabling works package, conducted a comprehensive survey, and created a 3D model. We modified the design to minimise riser penetrations by repurposing existing openings, reducing additional structural work. Additionally, we preserved existing windows, walls, roof structures, and atriums, significantly reducing the project’s embodied carbon load.
Zero RIDDORS and 372,420 accident-free man hours
759 Trainee Weeks, 17 Work Experience Weeks
492 Apprentice Weeks, 12 Jobs Created
£28m Social Value ROI, £9808 Community Donations & Fundraising
£3767 Social Enterprises, £8552 Community Support & Education
Kier maintained dialogue with the University’s Clerk of Works during the snagging process and although challenging at times, persevered to deliver a great quality building which has had minimal defects.
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Insider Property Awards | Fitout/Refurbishment Project of the Year
Bristol Property Awards | Transformation Project AND Civic and Community Project
Education Estates Awards | Contractor of the Year