Rosalind Franklin Institute, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Client
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Contractor
Value
£35m
Completion Date
January 2021

About Rosalind Franklin Institute

The Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI) is a life sciences facility named after one of the UKs pioneering female scientists. The building is dedicated to bringing academic and industry researchers from across the UK together to develop disruptive new technologies. These technologies are designed to tackle major challenges in health and life sciences and accelerate the discovery of new treatments for chronic diseases, affecting millions of people around the world, such as dementia.

The Challenge

The ground floor of the building had to be designed to accommodate sensitive scientific instruments which could not be subjected to vibration or electromagnetic interference.

The Solution

The foundations of the ground floor were designed to be separated from the rest of the building to shield it from vibration. To prevent electromagnetic interference, stainless steel reinforcement was used in the structure, and nonferrous materials used in the fabric, finishes, and MEP.

The Results

The design created a close to perfect, stable environment to test the limits of specialist technologies such as four large, state of the art electron microscopy suites and mass spectrometry facilities. The building now houses all core and support staff for the Institute, plus 150 researchers from industry and academia.

605

Apprentices

£29,900,000.

SME Spend

£4,990,000.

Added Value

Client Satisfaction

Client Testimonial

Contractor Performance | Commitments

Fair

Client and sub-contractor payments made within 21 days and 30 days respectively of certification/valuation date.

Sustainability

Building achieved BREEAM Very Good.

Safe

Zero RIDDORs

Legacy

75 trainee weeks

94 graduate trainee weeks

Aftercare

Building handed over January 2021 with zero defects. Two Mace managers remained on site for period afterwards to manage soft landings.

SCF Framework Manager

Adam Sanford

Email: adam.sanford@hants.gov.uk

Phone: 03707790304

Contractor Framework Manager

David Chambers

Email: david.chambers@macegroup.com

Phone: 07789 514895

Brixton House Theatre and Workspace, Somerleyton Road

July 29, 2022/in Civic and Community, Social Legacy/by Andrew Real

Brixton House Theatre and Workspace, Somerleyton Road

Brixton House is the new location for Ovalhouse, one of the most important centres for pioneer fringe theatre groups, previously located in Kennington. The Grand Opening was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Client
London Borough of Lambeth
Contractor
Value
£37m
Completion Date
March 2022

Galliford Try has recently completed the construction of Brixton House – a modern, purpose-built arts and community destination in South London. Part of the Somerleyton Road Development Project in partnership with the London Borough of Lambeth, the new building houses two fully accessible theatres (120 and 200 seating capacity), seven flexible rehearsal rooms and a creative hub with large public café, while the neighbouring Victorian Carlton building, Carlton Mansions, has been refurbished to create two floors of creative workspace.

Foster Wilson Size_Brixton House_©Hufton+Crow_006

The Challenge

Surrounded by busy residential streets and a railway line, all while sitting atop London Underground tunnels, it’s no surprise this project required extensive collaboration, negotiation of intricate party-wall and land ownership issues and complex construction logistics. In addition, much of the project coincided with the Covid19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, requiring active management of resource and material difficulties.

A scaffold was needed to repair the existing Victorian façade at Carlton Mansions – the challenge was it needed to be erected just one metre away from the railway line. One of south London’s busiest passenger lines and a primary freight line, it is in constant use throughout the day and night.

The Solution

Following extensive engagement with Network Rail and our scaffold supply chain partner, Trad Scaffold, we had a daily 45-minute window to erect, and eventually dismantle, the scaffolding.

Foster Wilson Size_Brixton House_©Hufton+Crow_004

The Results

Scaffolding was installed and dismantled within programme and highest safety standards.

‘H&S procedures were well followed, and good behaviours were demonstrated by the site team and the operatives. The response to Covid was excellent.’

Bruce McRobie, London Borough of Lambeth

In addition, whilst resolving a key buildability challenge we presented the opportunity for London Borough of Lambeth to generate increased revenue across the lifetime of the project. Requiring construction over a London Underground tunnel, we developed a displacement foundation solution as an alternative to a piled solution. We then proposed utilising the void created for lettable space as recording studios.