CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
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11/20 Contents
News 04 News in pictures 06 CIOB backs new assessor role 07 Mims Davies on competence 08 Data: Foreign labour and Brexit Opinion 10 Mark Beard on staying positive 11 Hero Bennett on carbon reduction 12 Caroline Gumble on community 13 Feedback: Readers’ views Interiors 16 The post-pandemic office How will the workplace evolve 20 Old Admiralty Building Restoring the corridors of power 23 How BIM fits into fit out Mark Norton explains the FIS toolbox BIM & Digital 24 Digital Construction Summit 2020 What we learned from the event CPD 26 Bespoke aluminium 20 access structures PASMA sets out its best practice Structural Steel Design Awards 2020 31 Cover and sponsors 32 Tintagel Footbridge, Cornwall 34 Bath Schools of Art and Design 36 A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme 38 The Curragh Racecourse Redevelopment, Kildare 40 Brunel Building, London 42 52 Lime Street, London 44 Commendation and Merits Legal 07 32 48 46 Amendments to JCT contracts Are consultants just boosting fees? Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7490 5595 Or write to us at the address below: Construction Manager is published Editor: Will Mann, 020 3865 1032 Construction Manager monthly by Atom Media Partners. Community [email protected] Published for the Chartered Institute The contents of this magazine are 48 CIOB MOOC on mental health Associate editor: of Building by Atom Media Partners, copyright. Reproduction in part or in 49 Optimism over Green Homes Grant Neil Gerrard, 020 3865 1031 3 Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, full is forbidden without permission of 50 PR champions help new MCIOBs [email protected] London EC1N 2SW the editor. The opinions expressed by 51 Gausden celebrates 50 years Production editor: Sarah Cutforth Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 5595 writers of signed articles (even with Art editor: Heather Rugeley pseudonyms) and letters appearing 54 Greendale completes priory work Community editor: Nicky Roger [email protected] in the magazine are those of their 55 Diary dates Advertising manager: respective authors, and neither 56 Wates’ carbon-neutral leisure centre Dave Smith 020 3865 1029 Editorial advisory board the CIOB, Atom Media Partners nor 57 Creating value through quality Key account manager: Mark Beard FCIOB, Ann Bentley, Construction Manager is responsible Tom Peardon 020 3865 1030 Peter Caplehorn, Ian Eggers, for these opinions or statements. Training & Recruitment Credit control: Eva Rugeley Harvey Francis, Professor Jacqui Glass The editor will give careful 58 Parliamentary questions Managing director: Stephen Quirke FCIOB, Shelagh Grant, Paul Morrell, consideration to material submitted Circulation: Net average 30,887 James Pellatt, Richard Saxon, Phil Wade – articles, photographs, drawings Work on the Westminster refurb Audit period: July 2019 to June 2020 and so on – but does not undertake Subscriptions: To subscribe or responsibility for damage or their safe for enquiries, please contact: return. Printed by Precision Colour Subscription team: Printing. All rights in the magazine, Tel: 01293 312160 Or go online at: including copyright, content and http://construction manager. design, are owned by CIOB and/or Atom imbmsubscriptions.com Media Partners. ISSN 1360 3566
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News story for CM? News Email [email protected]
8,000 tonne cantilever hoisted into place An 8,000 tonne, 227m-long cantilever whose structural steel weighs more than the iron in the Eiffel Tower, has been lifted into place to join together two towers in Dubai. The Link forms part of developer Ithra Dubai’s One Za’abeel mixed-use project. Main contractor Alec Engineering and Contracting embraced 4D modelling with Bentley’s Synchro for the project, which it was claimed knocked 70 days off the programme and saved £12.5m.
Bricklaying robot builds three bedroom house An automatic bricklaying machine developed by Pocklington-based Construction Automation is constructing the first home in the UK to be built by a robot. The Automatic Brick Laying Robot (ABLR) Manmade concrete brick started work on the three-bedroom home in aims to save marine life Everingham in Yorkshire Marine ecologists have developed an innovative this week. It will lay all the concrete brick that is designed to mimic natural rock bricks, blocks, and mortar. and coral. The ECOncrete range of products have Only two people are been designed to enhance biodiversity and marine required to work on each and coastal infrastructure on urban coastlines. house – a labourer to load The business was founded by marine ecologists the machine and a skilled Dr Shimrit Perkol-Finkel and Dr Ido Sella and person to install tie bars, produces custom-made bricks for each location damp courses and lintels to encourage growth of flora and fauna. and to do the pointing.
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04_05.CMNov2020.newsopener_scW.indd 4 19/10/2020 18:21 constructionmanagermagazine.com NEWS
Seagull downs drone A seagull attacked a drone being used for a roof survey of Stranraer Academy in Scotland. It caused the 6kg device to crash, according to a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
BAM Nuttall builds new Dawlish sea wall BAM Nuttall has built a new sea wall in Marine Parade, Dawlish, Devon after the existing defences were battered to the point of failure, threatening the main railway route into the south west. The new sea wall involved the construction of concrete foundations to house a precast nib section during short tidal windows. A separate precast facing panel sits in the nib, tied to the existing wall behind. The void between Kier trials road airbags to protect workers the existing wall and Kier Highways is to trial a new airbag in the Midlands that protects workers and facing panels was then warns drivers that work is underway. The large, bright airbags can be inflated in infilled with ready-mixed under 10 minutes. Kier started using the barrier on a slip road at the A45/A46 concrete before a paving Stivichall interchange in Coventry in October. The £95,700 cost of the airbags concrete was laid on trial was met through the Highways Agency’s Designated Funds programme. top to create a widened pedestrian walkway. Skanska builds UK’s first Dutch-style roundabout Skanska has completed the UK’s first Dutch-style roundabout, which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists over motorists. The works to redesign the existing roundabout at the junction of Queen Edith’s Way and Fendon Road in Cambridge were delivered by Skanska on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. 2020 Art of Building photography competition launches The world’s biggest photography competition for the built environment, the Art of Building, has launched. The competition is free to enter and open to anyone aged 18 or over. Entries can be made from 12 October 2020 until 15 November 2020. Winners will be announced on 26 January 2021. There are two awards to be won: the £1,500 Judges’ Prize, chosen by the judges, and the £1,500 Public Choice Award chosen by the public through an online vote. Last year’s winners included Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz, a professional photographer from northern Spain, who was awarded the Judges’ Prize for capturing Hemisferic, a science museum in Valencia (pictured). For more details about the competition and to enter, log on to www.artofbuilding.org.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | 5
04_05.CMNov2020.newsopener_scW.indd 5 19/10/2020 18:21 NEWS constructionmanagermagazine.com
‘Super clerk of works’ “The ICA would identify the information required and check to monitor golden thread that project elements have been satisfactorily installed and the CIOB-LED COMPETENCE WORKING GROUP SAYS NEW ‘INDEPENDENT relevant information captured, CONSTRUCTION ASSESSOR’ WOULD HELP FACILITATE HACKITT’S using digital technology” PROPOSAL FOR MANAGING PROJECT INFORMATION. BY NEIL GERRARD Pete Dawber, CIOB
‘golden thread’ of information, which The four key “The ICA is not personally going to Dame Judith Hackitt recommended elements in sign off the work; they are specifying should run through projects following the CSG’s and collating the data, and confirming her independent review of Building proposed they have all the necessary informa- Regulations and fire safety. overarching tion,” he said. “That will include sign-off The working group agreed that third- system of certificates, offsite and onsite inspection party verification was needed to drive competence approvals for installed materials and this industry change, Dawber said. components, detailed records of what 1 A new competence “The ICA would identify the informa- committee sitting has been installed and by whom, and tion required and check that project within the Building evidence of their competence.” Dawber: “A safety net for the client” elements have been satisfactorily installed Safety Regulator The working group also set out A working group led by the CIOB has and the relevant information captured, 2 A national suite competencies for two roles related to recommended creation of a potentially using digital technology,” he explained. of competence site supervision: construction project critical new role: the independent “For example, photographic or video standards – including manager and site supervisor. new sector-specific construction assessor (ICA), effectively evidence would be captured after one frameworks “The construction project manager an enhanced clerk of works. work element, then further evidence developed by works with clients, designers, suppliers The suggestion was made to the recorded after a follow-on trade has 12 working groups and subcontractors, overseeing all work Competence Steering Group (CSG) which gone through to confirm the work is 3 Arrangements from instruction through to handover,” published its report, Setting the Bar, on still intact and not damaged. This way, for independent Dawber explained. “The site super- 5 October as an update to its interim the ICA would maintain the integrity of assessment and visor makes sure individual workers reassessment against report, Raising the Bar, from August 2019. the golden thread. the competence are competent, materials are installed Eleven working groups fed into the “This provides a safety net for the standards correctly, and that follow-on trades do report and Working Group 9, led by client, so they know that the design 4 A mechanism to not cause any damage.” the CIOB, was tasked with examining has been properly designed and the ensure that those He suggested members of bodies like and defining the competencies for site construction has been executed correctly, assessing and the CIOB would be able to use their char- supervisors on higher-risk residential including any agreed changes.” certifying people tered membership along with enhanced against the standards buildings above 18m. Dawber stressed the role would not have appropriate development to attain whatever compe- CIOB board trustee Pete Dawber, diminish the responsibility of designer, levels of oversight. tence standard was required. Industry who chaired the group, said the ICA contractor or site supervisor for ensuring The CSG’s overarching professionals who are not chartered role would facilitate adoption of the work meets the required standard. competency members would need to find a route to say framework is now they had self-assessed before obtaining out for consultation. PAS for competencies of principal contractors third-party accreditation, Dawber added. The CSG is recommending that all CIOB trustee Pete Dawber is leading how they could be implemented and the working group writing the publicly assessed, the challenges, and whether individuals whose work on higher-risk available specification (PAS) for the competencies should be rolled out for buildings is likely to affect safety competencies of principal contractors. other types of building. outcomes, or who work unsupervised He urged CIOB members and “This is going to happen but we need on these buildings, should meet the skills, the wider construction industry to to think about how we make it happen knowledge, experience and behaviours contribute thoughts and ideas on what as speedily as possible and bring about the detailed competencies ought to be, the necessary cultural change,” he said. set out in the competence frameworks developed by the industry. ●
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06_07.CMNov2020news_scW.indd 6 20/10/2020 16:36 constructionmanagermagazine.com NEWS
“It is really important that people understand what the bill does and the duty that it will place on everyone working on buildings” Mims Davies, employment minister
Mims Davies “The HSE are brilliant people to work CV with and have done a great job in helping July 2019: Appointed people in the sector to be covid-safe and parliamentary they are at the heart of this.” under-secretary Meanwhile, Davies hopes the of state for JETS and Kickstart programmes will employment at the Department for encourage more people to consider a Work and Pensions. career in the construction sector. November 2018 “In January this year, we were looking – July 2019: at completely different labour markets, Parliamentary but what we did know is there were some under-secretary of state at the structural challenges and that we weren’t Department for necessarily filling the vacancies and Digital, Culture, attracting people to particular sectors,” Media and Sport. she says. “We know construction has January 2018 an ageing workforce, and wanted more – November diversity, and that hasn’t changed.” 2019: Assistant government whip The JETS programme aims to attract and parliamentary 250,000 people from Job Centres into under-secretary of new, growing sectors in its first year, state for Wales. pairing them up with personal careers ‘We are listening to industry 2015: Elected as advisers. Meanwhile the sector-based MP for Eastleigh. work academy programme aims to offer experts on competence’ 2011-2015: Conservative Party prospective employees pre-employment GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING POLICIES WILL KEEP THE town councillor for training relevant to the needs of the REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORTHCOMING BUILDING SAFETY BILL FIRMLY Haywards Heath sector, a work experience placement, Town Council and IN MIND, EMPLOYMENT MINISTER MIMS DAVIES TELLS NEIL GERRARD and a guaranteed job interview. Davies district councillor hopes those who find themselves out of on Mid Sussex District Council for a job will use the scheme to discover how Employment minister Mims Davies is Executive chief executive Sarah Albon Haywards Heath their skills could be applied to a different keen to ensure the government about competence. Lucastes ward. industry like construction. upholds competence standards as her She says: “We have got the Building Early career: She is “encouraged” to see several department launches measures to boost Safety Bill coming up so it is really Educated at Swansea construction organisations have University in politics construction recruitment post-covid. important that people understand what and international signed up to act as ‘gateways’ under the Davies, parliamentary under- the bill does and the duty that it will place relations. Worked Kickstart scheme, including fit out trade secretary of state for employment at on everyone working on buildings so they as a local radio body the FIS. Gateways will act on behalf the Department for Work and Pensions are sure that the people they employ are presenter, reporter of construction firms with fewer than 30 (DWP), has overseen the £238m Job sufficiently competent in those roles. and producer. job placements and apply for a Kickstart Later worked Entry Targeted Support (JETS) scheme, “There has been criticism that we as road safety scheme grant on their behalf. launched in October, to help people haven’t got on with this quickly enough communications “I want to make it clear we are not who lost their jobs due to the pandemic but part of it is making sure that we are officer with trying to cannibalise apprenticeships back into work. The DWP has also listening to industry experts to develop the Automobile with Kickstart,” Davies says. “It offers Association, the launched the Kickstart programme the competence standards that can police force and opportunities to young people that might aimed at creating thousands of fully be adapted for the different sectors, Sussex Safer Roads not have otherwise materialised. The subsidised roles for 16-24-year-olds buildings, and materials so that we have Partnership. early response is really encouraging starting out in their career. got a robust and consistent approach to and hopefully Kickstart, particularly And Davies reveals that she has been assessing competence which will underpin in construction, will give young people in discussions with housing minister the bill requirements. I am very involved an experience that will lead them onto Lord Greenhalgh and Health & Safety in that as we start to progress this bill. a traineeship or an apprenticeship.” ●
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06_07.CMNov2020news_scW.indd 7 20/10/2020 16:36 NEWS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Expected reduction in long-term EU workers in the five years from 31 December. Source: Migration Observatory at the Data 70% University of Oxford
As foreign workers leave, Age profile of UK construction workers, as a proportion, 2020 16% are we braced for Brexit? n 16-19 yrs 14% n 20-44 yrs n 45-64 yrs Brexit has been on the back burner because of 12% covid-19, but it is already putting huge pressure on construction’s skills base, says Kris Hudson 10%
Construction While there is clearly an immediate 8% continues to adapt to Brexit risk to the supply chain, the 6% the changing covid scale of the future challenge is landscape, but a amplified by a maturing demographic. 4% significant test on skills As of Q2 2020, 49.1% of capacity now looms due to Brexit. construction workers were aged 45 2% At the time of the EU referendum and above, while the proportion of in Q2 2016, more than one in eight younger workers is in decline. Only 0% workers on a UK building site were 2.6% of the sector’s workforce was 16-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 born abroad. Since then, analysis made up of 16 to 19-year-olds. That is SOURCE: ONS LABOUR FORCE SURVEY of the Office for National Statistics’ half the number it was 15 years ago. Labour Force Survey shows this has This creates a ticking time bomb. Proportion of UK born construction workers vs n Migrant dropped to one in 10. As the workforce approaches non-UK born construction workers, 2020 n UK born A continuing trend, when the retirement age there may not be UK leaves the EU on 31 December enough fresh talent joining the London 2020, threatens to further destabilise industry to replace them, resulting in the construction industry’s supply a net loss of skills and the ingredients East of England chain. Skills shortages, project for a cliff edge in capacity. delays and price increases may be The Construction Leadership Council South East round the corner. has launched a Brexit Working Group East Midlands In theory, London could be the aimed at preparing the industry for new hardest hit as it relies on the highest immigration rules, and providing help Scotland proportion of migrant labour of any accessing alternative labour supply. South West region across the UK. Almost half Detailed risk analysis, evaluation (49.6%) of the capital’s construction of supply chains and early warning West Midlands labour force were migrant workers notices can act as best practice Wales when people voted to leave the EU. to mitigate the rising challenge of This has fallen to 36.6% in four years. importing labour from abroad. North West
Furthermore, data from recruitment However, the UK’s challenges are as Yorkshire & sites suggests that job posts within the much long-term as short. To deliver on Humberside UK construction sector have increased the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, Northern Ireland faster than any other industry, rising through and beyond Brexit, construction more than 50 percentage points since must regain and retrain at pace and North East June 2020. If borders are closed as a modernise its ways of working by result of Brexit, the effect could see drawing on a more diverse pool of talent. 0 20 40 60 80 100 short-term increases to prices as Kris Hudson is an economist and SOURCE: ONS LABOUR FORCE SURVEY labour flows are restricted. associate director at Turner & Townsend. News in numbers £570m 78% 412 £800m Expected increase in annual Percentage of construction Number of new apprenticeship Forecast cost overrun on HS2, due cost of building materials the UK workers with black heritage opportunities announced by to issues with enabling works, construction sector imports from the who have experienced career HS2 in October asbestos removal and at Euston EU, according to Scape Group restrictions due to their race, Station, according to government according to recruiter Hays minister Andrew Stephenson
8 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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18281_PremInn_HAA_BedTable_ConManager_255x208.indd Pg1 Prodigious UK 19/10/2020 15:55 OPINION constructionmanagermagazine.com
Opinion
“Maintaining a positive working Mark Beard environment will maximise staff CIOB wellbeing and minimise the risk of mental health problems as Mental health key as we navigate through the next covid restrictions return six months and beyond”
STAYING POSITIVE AND HEALTHY positive and healthy. Likewise, they are having AND ENCOURAGING YOUR TEAMS open discussions with their teams about their TO DO THE SAME IS KEY TO work and wider issues, ensuring a good level NEGOTIATING THE NEXT FEW of personal contact and variety each day, MONTHS OF SEMI-LOCKDOWN, wherever possible, minimising long periods SAYS MARK BEARD of staring at the same computer screen. That is all coupled with regular positive feedback for each week successfully navigated.
Avoid unnecessary pressures More broadly, the best way to minimise the risk of mental health problems is to avoid unnecessary work pressures caused by poorly developed designs, unrealistic project programmes and unnecessary arguments over payment and the like. Achieving these basics for our staff and supply chain will be more important than ever over the next six months. It was great to have achieved Investors in People Health and People who grasp difficult issues head-on The retightening of the restrictions has Wellbeing accreditation one year ago – now deserve admiration and it was absolutely been a blow to the spirits. But it is important for the real test of how much we really value typical of my predecessor Professor Charles to maintain positive thoughts. As leaders, we staff and supply chain wellbeing. Egbu, that he should choose mental health have the dual responsibility of looking after Everyone has their own ways of navigating as the main theme for his presidential year, ourselves, while looking after those that work the next period of semi-lockdown, dark nights bringing to our attention what we can all do to for us. Most people expect their leaders to and the onset of more widespread ill health. minimise the causes of mental health problems be optimistic about the future and as team Whatever role you play, please do all you can and deal with the issues when they occur. leaders our body language sets the tone for to put family, friends and work colleagues in When Professor Egbu became CIOB our business working environment. a winning place and keep all avoidable mental president in June 2019, little could he have Maintaining a positive working health issues to a minimum. known that 2020 would be dominated by environment will maximise staff wellbeing The CIOB Academy has recently announced the consequences of covid-19 and how and minimise the risk of mental health its first CIOB Mental Health in Construction appropriate his year highlighting mental problems as we navigate through the next MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). This health issues would be. six months and beyond. There is no better is a really good free tool and a great aid Most of us found a way of surviving the tonic than feeling the positive mood of teams in developing your personal strategy for March-June national lockdown, remaining radiate around offices and sites. staying healthy. healthy and keeping our spirits up – spirits At Beard, we are having open discussions Stay positive, stay safe, stay well. ● substantially restored by looser restrictions with our directors about their work/life Mark Beard is CIOB president and chairman during July, August and September. integration and how they plan to remain of Beard Construction.
10 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
10_11.CMNov20.opinionsW.indd 10 20/10/2020 10:15 constructionmanagermagazine.com OPINION
Scaling up retrofit for net zero Now is the moment to create a Hero Bennett national market for industrialised Max Fordham retrofit, says Richard McWilliams
The government’s recent and Willmott Dixon among the founding launch of £3bn worth of Time to declare members of UK Contractors Declare. But schemes to help retrofit 36 signatories compares poorly with over buildings is a welcome MORE CONTRACTORS SHOULD 1,000 architects. acknowledgment of the JOIN THE ‘CONSTRUCTION climate emergency, the challenge of meeting Personal experience suggests contractors DECLARES’ INITIATIVE ON CARBON our net zero targets, and the need to drive are less knowledgeable about the risks posed REDUCTION, SAYS HERO BENNETT economic recovery. by climate change, which include systemic Nonetheless, the focus on job creation, risks to their operations and supply chains. via direct funding for retrofit measures, Yet the contractor’s role is significant. could undermine the long-term market for industrialised retrofit. Britain has Europe’s The quality of construction on site can be oldest housing stock and 80% of buildings a key component of reducing the ‘energy that need to achieve net zero have already performance gap’ seen between the designed been built. Retrofit on this scale is not energy and actual building operational energy currently within the capacity of the market. The pandemic provided a unique opportunity consumption. to reset the economy and spearhead a green For example, the quality control process recovery. This will not be achieved under the employed on a Passivhaus construction site government’s current policy for residential virtually eliminates unexpected heat loss. property, which focuses on loft and wall Experienced Passivhaus constructors have insulation, new windows or boilers, and one-off heat pumps within ageing buildings. Piecemeal acknowledged how much they have learned measures like this only scratch the surface. through their Passivhaus projects and that Instead, we need to create a market for the required processes can reduce a project’s industrialised retrofit that delivers guaranteed overall risks and associated costs. performance based on outcomes including warmth, hot water and the wellbeing of occupiers. This can then be packaged up as Contractors’ influence an investable proposition, creating a long- Contractors can also significantly influence term funding mechanism with a contractual a building’s embodied carbon, sometimes agreement to deliver homes and buildings that convincing a client to switch from a low-carbon are energy efficient. This model has already been demonstrated to a high-carbon product once on board, in the UK. In London, Turner & Townsend
Industry action can influence global CO2 emissions where cost and construction familiarity is is the lead delivery partner for the Greater more of a priority than environmental impact. London Authority’s (GLA) Retrofit Accelerator The covid crisis has shifted attention from Concrete usually has the most significant programmes, which have enabled investment in homes and workplaces for over a decade. the biggest risks we face: climate change embodied carbon impact in a building, though The new Innovation Partnership, for whole- and biodiversity loss. But the issue hasn’t gone encouragingly, more contractors are becoming house retrofit, will bring together the GLA, away. Globally we have less than 10 years to comfortable with using low carbon forms housing providers and suppliers to develop innovative solutions that make an economic halve CO2 emissions. Business as usual is no of concrete through cement replacements. longer an option. Contractors can use their close ties with their price point achievable for performance- assured net zero retrofit. Such a strategy, As an industry the mood is changing, supply chains to influence behaviour, requiring if rolled out nationwide, requires a local with the Construction Declares movement data on embodied carbon and selecting network of contractors and manufacturers. on the climate and biodiversity emergency greener or locally sourced products. This creates an early-mover advantage for launching in 2019 and being supported by Contractors Declare is a positive movement regional authorities looking to build their green economies through long-term jobs that architects, building services and structural that I hope will grow and benefit the industry deliver and maintain retrofitted buildings. engineers. Signatories agree to advocate as a whole. We have less than 10 years to This model could give a £400bn-600bn
faster change, share knowledge and evaluate make a sizeable dent in the CO2 emissions domestic market, with the potential to all new projects against the aim to contribute our industry is responsible for and every one export the UK’s knowledge and expertise. positively to mitigate climate and biodiversity of us has a role to play. ● With national and local government support, there is real scope to create a supply chain breakdown. Hero Bennett is principal sustainability for industrial retrofit at scale. After a delay, contractors are now stepping consultant at Max Fordham and a Richard McWilliams is director, sustainability forward to acknowledge the crisis, with BAM, member of the CIOB sustainability special at Turner & Townsend. Morgan Sindall, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska interest group.
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10_11.CMNov20.opinionsW.indd 11 20/10/2020 10:16 OPINION constructionmanagermagazine.com
Caroline Gumble CIOB
CIOB community stays Changing attitudes strong during difficult year towards disability THOUGH 2020 WAS CHALLENGING, THE CIOB AND Let’s normalise the conversation about construction workers with MEMBERS HAVE ADAPTED FAST TO THE CHALLENGES disabilities, writes Jez Cutler PRESENTED BY THE PANDEMIC, WRITES CAROLINE GUMBLE
income for many in our industry. We offered, We all know we don’t live in a binary world and that we on a case-by-case basis, financial flexibility are complex and multifaceted to members who requested it, with extended individuals. So why do I payments periods and some discounts. struggle so much with We’ve now formalised that support with the identifying as being disabled? I started in construction in 2005. I knew Covid-19 Support Fund for members, wherever I had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, they are in the world, who face financial although outwardly was showing no signs. My difficulties as a result of the pandemic. condition is progressive, but the loss of muscle We tried to reach out to members to make function didn’t really impact on me until I was sure they know about the support offered via in my early 30s. I had a dream job at Travis Perkins, guiding the business towards better our Benevolent Fund, including access to the environmental outcomes. Moreover, I had The CIOB is supporting members hit by the pandemic services provided by Anxiety UK for those living some great bosses and mentors. with anxiety, stress or anxiety-based depression. In about 2010, I started walking like John We moved events online, including our CPD Wayne – I’d hitch my thumbs in my belt and “I have observed our members swing my hips – so I could still get around. and training courses, committee meetings, come together, supporting their My colleagues and my boss took their cue professional review and Fellowship workshops colleagues and the construction from me and nothing was ever said. But and even networking, with ‘Hubs in virtual pubs’. the group’s fleet manager banned me from industry in their regions. It’s been And our annual celebration for Construction driving because I was no longer safe. So I had heartening to hear about” to ask my boss for help. Three years later, Manager of the Year is going virtual this year I was in a powered wheelchair having had (do join us online on 25 November if you can). no significant time away from work and still This time last year, I wrote about the inspiring You may also have noticed a strengthening making a substantial contribution. community which makes up the global CIOB of our collaboration and increase in My bosses found the balance between membership. I was reflecting on what I’d communication with industry-wide groups, offering support and allowing me to stay in control. My identity was never taken away learned after getting out and about to meet including Build UK and the Construction from me and I worked at Travis Perkins for members. One of the main things that struck Leadership Council, working with and another two years. I continue to work full-time me was the sense of community – the Hub influencing government in advocating for and set up my own sustainability consultancy. networks, the trustees, Novus members, the the necessary measures and support to keep But I’m not sure others are as lucky as me. whole of the CIOB family. our sector going and help it to thrive in a A good friend resigned because of poor health and told me he didn’t want to lose respect and Who knew just how important that post-covid economy. influence by staying on when he was “past his community would be during 2020? I have I am proud of the fact CIOB adapted fast best”. That’s what can happen if a safe and observed our members come together, to the challenges we encountered during the supportive environment is not created. supporting their colleagues and the pandemic. We implemented processes that At Construct-Ability, a new networking and campaigning group, we aim to normalise construction industry in their regions. It’s been are more environmentally sound and cost conversations about disability. There are heartening to hear about and a real reminder of effective, while delivering a better customer many people working in construction who the strength we have when we come together. experience. We will be taking many of these identify – at least to themselves – as having In turn, the CIOB put in place a number new ways of working and benefits forwards. a disability, but make fantastic contributions. of things to support members and the I thank all our members for their ongoing Let’s create an inclusive industry that values the skills these individuals have to offer. wider construction community. Early on, professionalism, inspiring tenacity and Jez Cutler is founder of Cutler Consulting and we recognised that site shutdowns, even encouraging support during 2020. ● co-chair of Construct-Ability. temporary ones, would lead to a reduction in Caroline Gumble is CEO of the CIOB.
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12.CMNov20.opinionscaroline_scW.indd 12 20/10/2020 10:23 constructionmanagermagazine.com FEEDBACK
Do consultants amend JCT contracts just to boost their fees? p46
Feedback
Reports on the A selection of readers’ comments about Grenfell Tower Inquiry news and issues in the industry from have brought a wave www.constructionmanagermagazine.com of reader responses
CM 02/10 We are safer on site but cladding rails, creating Brett Clitheroe if anyone’s life is worth a Building control officer we are seemingly all trying gaps” described as poor Many contractors are now sprinkler system in sleeping accepts ‘failings’ to rush everything. Why can’t workmanship, I do wonder forced to tender for a range accommodation. It is. we all be given time to do the about the expectations of of design and build contracts Charles Worby job of construction properly site workers by specifiers. of which they often have little CM 08/09 It is regrettable that – from the design right Don’t think I’m defending or no understanding. The use Rydon struggled to government policies saw through to the occupation – shoddy work and lack of of these contracts, where the ‘drum up interest’ from the repealing of the London rather than constantly being training and instruction – I’m clients’ representatives look cladding firms Building Acts, replacing them pushed by money? not. However, we have to be to pass on all responsibilities with the discredited and realistic about the calibre to the main contractor within Dan “not fit for purpose” Building Gordon of the workforce, and the an all-embracing package, As we hear more in this Regulations, and abolishing Over the years, the Building conditions we are asking results in confusion and poor inquiry, I have to say the London’s first-class and Regulations as well as the them to produce perfect quality work. events are entirely familiar properly resourced building guidance relating to them has workmanship in. It’s not easy from the last 15 years in control regime – then part of bloated to an unmanageable working 20m up on a mast CM 22/09 construction: a rushed the Greater London Council’s level for any one person, climber in the wind and rain. 25-year-old project tender process with limited (GLC) architects department. including the building control manager had no design information leading to I worked for the GLC in officers. They are expected to CM 28/09 ongoing training mistakes and omissions; the building control from 1974 be jacks of all trades as well Clerk of works criticises successful contractor often until its abolition in 1986 and as a master of them all. ‘mixed-up’ construction WF Truman being the one who’s made I firmly believe that if that An unrealistic level of This disaster is a turning point the biggest error in their regime were still in existence scrutiny is expected from Rod McLennan that says “wake up”. We tender; specifications that neither the Grenfell fire nor inspectors as the police of Back in the day, we operated need properly fully trained aren’t fully understood, often anything like it could have the building industry. After all, a test and inspection (T&I) labour, trades, staff and cut and paste from previous occurred in London. you don’t blame the police if process whereby any work professionals. We have to projects; building control they drive past a burglary – that was to be subsequently stop cutting cost and fees competing on the lowest-fee Michael Smith you wouldn’t expect them to covered (foundations, to the bone to enable the basis; a turnover in staff, It is not just this incident check every house just in case. ground floor construction, industry to function properly. especially at site level; a that shows the failings in drainage, first fix items etc) lack of suitable training on the current state of the CM 30/09 was inspected on site and Mike Mann the technical aspects; a rush industry. There are failings Fitter had ‘no guidance’ on only when it had passed We are years past this to promote people due to a all round, and that includes: cavity barrier installation inspection would the follow- disaster that is a shameful skills shortage. education; professional up work be completed. As condemnation of the It’s an industry that’s and trade bodies; main John Youle time went on, and prices and industry and culture from been in a race to the contractors; subcontractors; When I read “poorly fitting timescales became tighter, government downwards, yet bottom for a long while manufacturers; and suppliers and cut cavity barriers with this system was dropped as all anyone seems to be doing and unfortunately Grenfell – as well as the governments rough edges and gaps, or being too time-consuming is waiting for someone to tell shows the worst possible who set these regulations. cavity barriers cut around and expensive. them what to do and arguing consequences of that.
Provide your own feedback on latest industry issues by posting comments online at www.constructionmanagermagazine.com or by emailing the editor at [email protected]
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Interiors
WHAT WILL THE POST-PANDEMIC OFFICE LOOK LIKE? BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SCRAMBLING TO ADAPT THEIR OFFICES TO BECOME MORE COVID-FRIENDLY OVER THE SUMMER. BUT WITH REMOTE WORKING SEEMINGLY HERE TO STAY, ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT FIRMS ARE LOOKING TO CUT OFFICE SPACE BY UP TO 40%. HOW IS THE WORKPLACE HAVING TO EVOLVE TO REMAIN RELEVANT? JAMIE HARRIS REPORTS
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“I’ve turned my office into a forest. implications for the office. While the Branches, leaves, rope bridges. Now death of the office is just as cliched as it I can’t wait to get to work each day!” is unfounded, many within the industry Given many offices across the country feel that there will be a reinvention of have seen their footfall dramatically sorts, particularly given the pandemic decline – or in some cases completely has accelerated the conversation disappear – for several months this around flexible and remote working year, you’d be forgiven for thinking the policies out of necessity. growth of vegetation in this tweeter’s Could this change to working
workplace was a natural event. practices completely change how offices CHRIS GLOAG But this is just one example of how are configured? Will the main purpose organisations are using the disruption of an office shift to collaborative tasks “Our new working environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic as or social interactions? What should is airy, clean and free of clutter an opportunity to make changes to the businesses take from their workforce’s and makes you wonder how office environment. working-from-home experience? we managed to work in the Kirsten Lees is London managing space before” partner at architect Grimshaw. She Practical steps – minimising covid Kirsten Lees, Grimshaw says that the practice has taken the risk in your office opportunity to create a new working Before businesses had time to consider environment, removing fixed desks and closing office branches completely, promoting collaboration. Says Lees: workplace managers were looking into workspace trend of the last 10 years has “It is airy, clean and free of clutter and quick fix solutions to get some of their helped with office reconfigurations. makes you wonder how we managed staff back in the office in a safe manner. Older buildings are hampered by to work in the space before.” Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the their layout, making it more difficult In recent months organisations Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS), to reconfigure interior walls or keep across the country have been figuring says that partitioning has dominated people apart. Says English: “Many of out how to return safely to the office, conversations for offices, in particular these older buildings have narrow, reconfiguring the space to allow for separating out teams for social intricate corridors. You need to look at social distancing and making physical distancing. the flow of people through the building alterations to ventilation systems. “We’ve seen a lot more pop-up and manage that.” While the return itself may be on hold products coming into the marketplace, But these buildings also enable due to tougher government restrictions, where people are looking for breakout compartmentalisation of a workspace businesses have begun this process, spaces but not necessarily looking to as they are less likely to be open plan, and some who returned earlier in the partition a whole area.” which are more beneficial in keeping summer have practical evidence they Partitions, screens and, in more semi- staff distanced. can learn from as they look to make their permanent cases, moveable walls, also A possible side effect of the office covid-safe – or as safe as it can be. have the added advantage of offering reconfiguration measures to make an Some have taken the opportunity easily reconfigurable space. The flexible office covid-safe, such as partitions and of a blank slate to make more drastic screens, or additional meeting spaces alterations. specifically for Zoom calls, could be “We’re the busiest we’ve ever been,” this improvement in sound quality. To says Adam English, a director at fit-out support this, the FIS has launched an firm Sorrel. “Conversations about acoustic verification scheme to ensure fit outs started when lockdown started the products used provide the level of [in March]. Clients are saying: ‘There’s sound protection desired. no one in the office, let’s completely Tim Oldman, CEO of workplace revamp it.’” engagement specialist Leesman, thinks This has led to workplace experts that organisations should learn from musing about the longer-term their employees’ remote working
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experience to improve the office – and But despite the efforts of workplace that noise levels should be a high priority. managers and fit-out firms to comply “We have studied noise levels and with guidelines as best as they can, the the negative impact they have on an surge in cases across the UK has seen individual’s productivity.” Individual government advice revert to home tasks, Leesman has found, are better working “where possible”. So where does supported at home with fewer noise this leave the office – a space which is distractions. deemed surplus to requirements for the
“Please, stop ignoring all the alarm ATTWOOD STEWART many who send emails and conduct video calls around the poor acoustic design calls from the comfort of their home? of an open-plan workplace. Let’s get open plan sorted acoustically so that “We’ve seen a lot more Future of the office? it works as well as home does.” pop-up products, where people One thing that the majority of experts Organisations have also been are looking for breakout agree on is that this is not the death of adapting the physical building itself spaces but not looking to the office – the FIS’s McIlwee describes to minimise the risk of infection. partition a whole area” the notion as “nonsensical”, although the Crucial to maintaining a healthy indoor Iain McIlwee, return to more home working may see Finishes and Interiors Sector environment, says Sorrel’s English, is office demand dip, at least temporarily, the monitoring of air quality, and as particularly in the serviced office sector. such organisations have had to consider The British Council for Offices (BCO) One serviced office provider, Purpose upgrading ventilation systems. published a series of guidance notes on Group, now starts each office space as a English explains that air conditioning office design and operation (see box) blank canvas to maximise the amount of systems are effectively pushing air which note that buildings should use flexibility it can provide for clients, and particles around an office, and that natural ventilation where possible. The even repurposed the space for filming systems using outdoor air will be more guidance also suggests to consider air and music videos to cope with the drop effective at stopping the spread of covid quality factors, such as humidity levels. in demand. particles. “You’re creating a great cycle There appears to be a change in The IWFM’s Moriarty thinks that of air so it’s almost as if you’ve got an mindset for office workers, who are much the cost of office space may well lead open window.” more aware of how ‘healthy’ a building is. to a reduction in take-up: “I am already “In the end, it’s about confidence,” hearing stories of organisations says Angela Love, director of Active looking to reduce their occupied space Workplace Solutions. “Staff want to by anywhere between 20% and 40%. know if their company has done enough The switch to home working during to make them feel safe.” lockdown may have whetted some Colin Allan, managing director at appetites for major property savings.” fit-out firm Morgan Lovell, highlights But conversely, social distancing strong communication with the measures and a repurposing of space workforce before any measures are to become more of a social hub may put in place. mean firms actually need to increase “Just putting in managing processes their office space. and guidelines won’t suffice. It’s so Graham Harle, global chief executive important to consult and understand at consultant Gleeds, says that how your staff are feeling about organisations are looking to provide it,” he says. “better quality” space. He says: “I’ve seen Chris Moriarty, director of insight at lots of buildings being repurposed in this the Institute of Workplace and Facilities way. A year ago companies were going Management (IWFM), says this is for higher density buildings, but now critical. “They are going to be in familiar space is centred around creativity and settings with unfamiliar practices.” innovation, and at a much lower density.”
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In a Leesman survey of employees, 82% said their home environment enabled them to 82% work productively Moriarty does however hope that we work, and figure out what space there will be a reinvention of the is required and where it’s required.” Covid-safe offices workplace. “There are too many So what might the office look like? The British Council for Offices studies now showing that around half Given the insatiable appetite for more (BCO) produced two guidance of employees can be unsatisfied with remote working, workspaces could be notes, offering its members advice the space that their employer provides configured in future with fewer fixed on office design after covid-19. for them. We must do better.” desks and more meeting spaces – The BCO advises practical measures Home working may even have large and small – to accommodate the to minimise risk to a building’s occupants: exacerbated this dissatisfaction. surge in video calls and face-to-face Leesman surveyed hundreds of collaborative tasks. Ultimately, thinks l Automatic doors at building thousands of employees on whether Kane, the space will be more flexible Exclusive CIOB entrances members’ offer: l their office environment enables them and multi-use – and that could see Screens used to protect For 25% off Where reception staff to work productively. Around 63% of a fundamental shift in how they are is My Office? l Touch-free devices, such as respondents said that it does, but when leased and operated. use the discount lift buttons home workers are asked the same “We will see a huge swing to a code CIOB25 at l Natural ventilation (actively www.bloomsbury. question of their home environment, demand for a mix of fixed and flexi- use operable windows, rather than com/whereismy air conditioning systems) that figure rises to 82%. space. Forget the old landlord or office. Offer ends l Clear-desk policy to Chris Kane, former head of corporate developer mindset of lease it and 15 November. facilitate cleaning real estate at the BBC and author of forget it; we’ll move to more of a hotel l Consider expanding cycling Where is My Office? Reimagining model where the space is operated as facilities l the Workplace for the 21st Century, a service.” Humidity level monitoring – there is some evidence that people are fervently believes that the workforce more susceptible to infection when won’t be going back to a new normal. Flexing space to meet demand relative humidity is below 30% “We’re facing a completely new reality So offices will be run as drop-in l Newly installed lifts will be wider here about how people want to work. meeting spaces, and firms will flex and shallower, allowing for faster loading and unloading, and easier Staff are ultimately exercising choice their space up and down as demand social distancing in terms of where they want to work. shifts? Perhaps, although Moriarty l Lifts should use mechanical “This is a real opportunity to rethink feels it won’t be quite as seismic as extraction to boost ventilation. how we work, where we work, when Kane suggests. “I expect and hope to see a more flexible approach which allows come into the office and be social productivity, collaboration and all day long. I don’t think that’s innovation to flourish through practical from any point of view. combining multiple settings. But the Offices will still need to support both workplace must always be built from types of working.” the employee out – this is essential. The coronavirus pandemic has “My hope is that organisations will fundamentally changed how office take the opportunity to learn from workers operate and some workplace this experience, listen to the data, and fit-out specialists experts are and more importantly, listen to their predicting a repurposing of space. employees.” But the conversations they are “The switch to home working Peggie Rothe, Oldman’s colleague having on multi-use, flexible space are during lockdown may have and Leesman’s chief insights and not new; the workplace sector has been whetted appetites for major research officer, says that removing making their case for the last 10 years. property savings” quiet space for individual work and The pandemic has simply accelerated Chris Moriarty, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management focusing solely on open, collaborative the action behind the talk. Offices don’t spaces is counter-productive. necessarily need a drastic change, but She says: “You’d be creating a decision-makers see now as a perfect situation where employees would opportunity to do so. ●
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CONSERVATION IN THE CORRIDORS OF POWER WILLMOTT DIXON INTERIORS’ REFURBISHMENT OF THE HISTORIC OLD ADMIRALTY BUILDING IN WESTMINSTER IS FINALLY COMPLETE. WILL MANN WAS GIVEN THE GRAND TOUR
The oak-panelled corridors of the Old More recently, the OAB, as it is known Heritage features This has been a cut and carve Admiralty Building reek with history. in government parlance, has been such as oak operation on a staggering scale. The panelling and Backing on to Horse Guards Parade in undergoing a major refurbishment. terrazzo flooring OAB is a rabbit warren of more than the heart of Westminster, it has been Willmott Dixon Interiors (WDI) has were retained 650 rooms and the refurbishment has the headquarters of the British Navy, been reconfiguring the Grade II-listed and restored involved 1,000 penetrations, most of home of Winston Churchill when he was building with a CAT B fit out, creating them to fit new MEP services. Heritage First Lord of the Admiralty, and where over 250,000 sq ft of commercial office works have been a requirement of every naval intelligence officer and James space across five floors, including a corridor, room and staircase. And then Bond author Ian Fleming worked. basement. there was the asbestos.
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Historic maps were moved into storage during the
refurbishment GREG KING
The fit out scope of work included Project team board) panels in them. We had to create new MEP services, about 30% of the Client: Central a sealed tent in which asbestos-trained contract value, ceilings, partitions, Government carpenters could remove the board. Main contractor: raised floors, window refurbishment Willmott Dixon “It has affected every aspect of our and secondary glazing. WDI worked in Interiors work and required numerous Health JV with Willmott Dixon Construction Architect: BDP & Safety Executive notifications plus to deliver the enabling works packages, MEP engineer: visits from their inspectors. which included demolition strip and Hoare Lea “The amount of time we spent on Programme: structural alterations. June 2017 to managing the asbestos inevitably grew The presence of amosite meant WDI October 2020 over the duration of the project. It was had to prepare a full asbestos man- Value: Undisclosed challenging – but we have achieved it. “We didnt know where the agement plan, in line with the Control of Key subcontractors: “The tenants who occupy the OAB asbestos was located so we Asbestos at Work Regulations, working Demolition: will also have to follow the asbestos had to assume it was present Deconstruct UK with two specialists, Decontaminate management plan for the building,” he when planning any intrusive Asbestos: UK and eBrit Services. This included Decontaminate UK adds, “which means a ‘no drill policy’; work that would disturb the controlled working conditions, air locks, and eBrit Services they won’t be able to put nails into the building fabric” establishment of safe routes through the Heritage plastering: walls to hang pictures.” Chris Linfoot, Willmott Dixon Interiors AVV Solutions building and constant air monitoring. Ironmongery: Structural alterations took place in “We didn’t know where the asbestos John Planck nearly every room. Typically, these are “The design by BDP was about was located so we had to assume it was MEP: Halsion about 1m square to accommodate the delivering a modern office, while striking present when planning any intrusive work modern MEP services. Each of these a balance between the restrictions of that would disturb the building fabric,” required its own temporary works the Grade II-listed masonry building, Linfoot explains. “That has been the case support structure before steel and which was difficult to open out, and the for all the MEP penetrations. Clinker concrete lintels were installed. presence of asbestos,” explains Chris blocks in the doorways also contained Some of the structural works knocked Linfoot, WDI’s project director. asbestos, so if we wanted to remove the two rooms into one. “In one case, we “Amosite is ingrained in the building door frame, that had to be done under Giant chillers were had to put in extra structural steel craned into the fabric. It wasn’t possible to remove the controlled conditions. Even some of courtyard over the and additional foundations in the asbestos so our work here has been to the doors had AIB (asbestos insulating top of the building sub-basement to support the new manage it. That has been the most difficult aspect of the project.” The OAB dates from 1895, making it relatively modern compared to its neighbours. The masonry building comprises three wings: the north, where the main entrance fronts The Mall, was completed first, followed by the west, then the south in 1912. Its last fit out was in the 1990s, and it has been used since by various government departments. In June 2015, BAM was appointed to refurbish the building, with an anticipated contract value of £45m, but the job was retendered and awarded to WDI via the Scape Framework two years later. There were two contracts for the project, one for the enabling works and one for the fit out, using a traditional
NEC form, with a mix of options A and C. GROUP INSIDE OUT
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The chillers were lifted in over the top of the OAB from Horse Guards Parade using a 350-tonne crane 350t “A lot of the plaster on the walls had Left: De-bonded Structural works were designed in 2D de-bonded – we used a ‘knock test’ to plaster was removed but Linfoot says a digital asset model and replaced with check this – and in these cases the plaster lime plaster of the new MEP has been created. “The was removed under semi-controlled MEP elements of the model are BIM Below: Wrought conditions because of the asbestos risk. iron balustrades Level 2 compliant, with asset data This was replaced with lime plaster. The were restored to in COBie format, which the end user drawback here is the time it takes to dry, the original colour will be able to use to manage building probably a week for two coats. scheme services operations,” he explains. “Logistics was key to managing this WDI’s work on the project completed work. We created a programme where last month. The original completion frame, as the existing masonry building eBrit would hack off the plaster, then “We were target was late 2018 but both wouldn’t support all the extra weight,” AVV would follow through to replace constantly programme and cost will be well in explains Linfoot. it, moving from room to room. It gave finding things excess of original estimates. Another structural consideration was continuity to the work.” that were not “We were constantly finding things the neighbouring MOD building, which The project has also restored the expected. We that were not expected – inevitable on ties into the OAB at ground and basement original terrazzo flooring, oak panelling had around a complex refurbishment like this,” level on the north elevation. “This causes and wrought iron balustrades in the 1,600 variations says Linfoot. “We had around 1,600 a pulling effect on the building and led dark grey of the original colour scheme. during the variations during the fit out, and 750 to stress cracks appearing over the Ironmongery for new doors has been fit out, and during the enabling works.” years,” says Linfoot. “So we had to insert matched with retained doors, radiators 750 during He adds with relief that covid-19 had Helifix metal rods into this elevation to have been painted and the original glazed the enabling little impact: “We were nearing the effectively bind the wall together.” tiles re-exposed in the lower levels. works” end of our programme and the number The biggest structural addition was “The volume of the heritage works Chris Linfoot, of workers was quite low, so social Willmott Dixon the frame to support the chillers in the has been the challenge along with cat- Interiors distancing was easier to manage, plus main courtyard. Here, a building was aloguing all the items we put in storage,” we have plenty of space here to spread demolished and around 100 tonnes of says Linfoot. “This process was started out welfare facilities and site offices.” steelwork erected plus a concrete slab to by Deconstruct UK, who started on the job The 2,400-capacity office will house support the giant chillers and pipework. under BAM, logging the heritage items the Government Art Collection, with “The chillers were lifted in over the top using spreadsheets, which we continued.” other tenants to be confirmed.● of the OAB from Horse Guards Parade using a 350-tonne crane, in a single day,” says Linfoot. “City Lifting had to supply us with a higher-than-normal capacity crane as we needed a wider angle to lift the chiller units over the antenna wires running into the neighbouring MOD building.” The heritage features are strongest in the corridors, which the new MEP services mostly avoid. During structural works, heritage areas were protected with ply and decorative features removed and stored in the basement, including cornicing and around 400 oak doors. “The original cornicing was moulded on to the ceiling and these sections were removed and later reinstated by our restoration specialist – AVV Solutions – who had to make good every individual cornice,” says Linfoot.
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FIT OUT GETS “You need to be agile. You need to be reviewing things again TOOLED UP FOR BIM and again. Developing the deployment plan and driving the A NEW BIM TOOLBOX DEVELOPED BY THE adoption are crucial” FIT-OUT TRADE BODY SHOULD ACCELERATE Mark Norton, ISG THE SECTOR’S DIGITAL PROGRESS
Prior to the pandemic-enforced just need the data on the floor tile. So lockdown, FIS members’ demand for fill out a spec sheet of what it is and BIM training was strong, Norton says, how to get it in the future, and we’ll and in the two months since its launch, pass that on to the client.’ So a data the toolbox has been downloaded more sheet was sufficient for that contractor.” than 100 times. His advice to FIS members is: The 62-page toolbox should be “You need to be agile. You need to required reading for all 500-plus be reviewing things again and again. FIS members. Section A provides an Developing the deployment plan and introduction to BIM and considers driving the adoption are crucial.” the business case for its adoption. Even at a business the size of ISG, BIM Section B looks at the development of and digital construction is in a constant BIM capability, implementation of a BIM state of evolution. Norton founded ISG’s deployment plan and delivering on a BIM and digital construction team seven BIM project. The toolbox also includes a years ago; the team now comprises 20 glossary of the acronyms that dominate staff in London and a further 10 in the the BIM landscape. rest of the UK and Europe. Norton says: “I think people look at “It’s been an educational process: BIM and immediately they get worried; we’re still learning from our clients and JON CHALLICOM they’re thinking about hardware and vice versa,” he says, noting that there’s As arguably the most time-poor part Norton: "I think software costs – it’s like an iceberg. almost a competitive edge among clients of the construction process with people look at BIM “It’s the training and cultural change, now, challenging each other and their and immediately staggeringly short notice of new work, the deployment of it, is where you supply chains to adhere ever closer to they get worried” how can the fit-out sector keep up with should be investing your time and BIM best practice and to achieve ever- the push for BIM and digital adoption? money – and sometimes that’s the last greater results. This summer fit-out trade body the thing to be considered, but it should be “They want their next project to be the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) your primary driver.” best BIM project. We’ve just finished a updated its 2016 BIM toolbox, not Norton is keen to remind and reassure project in the City and we had just one only in response to ISO 19650, but also FIS members that adopting BIM is not variation on site: one! Everything went because BIM and digital construction a ‘one size fits all’ exercise: “I have as smooth as you like, which is testament has moved on so much since the toolbox this conversation with a lot of people: to all the hard work that the team put in was first published. ‘How do I start a BIM journey?’ It’s at the beginning. Mark Norton, head of BIM for fit out at really what fits for your organisation, “And success goes viral.” ● ISG in the UK, and chair of the FIS digital for what you deliver.” construction working group that rewrote He cites an example: “We work The FIS BIM the toolbox, is keen to point out that with a lot of contractors of various Toolbox can while the sector is time-poor, it has made disciplines: we had someone tiling the be found at plenty of digital strides: “I wouldn’t say floors on a job and they asked ‘What www.thefis.org/ fit out is the poor relation by any means. do we do about BIM?’ We answered: knowledge-hub/ BIM is on the up in the fit-out sector.” ‘We know you can lay that floor tile – we bim-toolbox.
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BIM & Digital NINE THINGS WE LEARNED AT DCS 2020 THIS YEAR’S DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION SUMMIT TOOK PLACE VIRTUALLY LAST MONTH. AS THE PRESENTERS AND PANELLISTS DEMONSTRATED, THE INDUSTRY’S DIGITAL ADOPTION IS ONLY ACCELERATING AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. BY NEIL GERRARD
1. Covid ‘aftershocks’ will drive 2. Progress is accelerating of workstreams to enable BIM digital construction adoption towards interoperability interoperability. The four primary The ‘aftershocks’ of Covid-19 will Fiona Moore, information management workstreams are: classification, COBie be with construction for years to consultant at the Centre for Digital Built and industry foundation class (IFC), come, making digitally enabled Britain (CDBB), explained the vital work education and skills, and standards. ways of working the norm. That was being done on interoperability, to enable Construction Innovation Hub impact the easy exchange of data between 3. BIM is an essential foundation director David Philp’s prediction while proprietary technologies – essential for for the National Digital Twin speaking in the Buildots-sponsored BIM to thrive and to deliver benefits. CDBB digital director Mark Enzer webinar that opened the Digital “There are lots of clever proprietary provided an update on the National Construction Summit 2020. solutions out there that help supply Digital Twin Programme and highlighted Philp stressed: “We’ve seen a “We need to chains to collaborate and exchange the important role that BIM has played seismic shift towards digital, how address some information and all of those are valid, in establishing it. we collaborate, share information of the real-world but quite often this falls over when “The foundation that has been laid and use this thing called the common issues around information is passed across the in the work that we have already done data environment. If these are fully interoperability” contract line and the procurer has no in BIM is an essential foundation Fiona Moore, embraced, it is going to help us be way of housing that information and for the National Digital Twin. We CDBB more sustainable, more productive making proper use of it,” she explained. couldn’t even imagine it without that and more effective across the whole Moore said the BIM Interoperability foundation being laid. It shows us just [building] life cycle.” Expert Group has identified a series how important information is and how
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More coverage of the Digital Digital story for CM or BIMplus? Construction Email [email protected] Summit
5. Cache is king for remote of correcting it on site arise. We can construction sites enforce cooperation and coordination, Internet connectivity on site is not always but collaboration comes from the heart.” a prerequisite for effective collaboration, Atkins digital engineering manager said Carole Filion, Egnyte’s product Zane Ulhaq, who has been seconded to marketing manager, during the session the Discovering Safety team, explained on common data environments. that the audit trail generated encourages “Yes, some connectivity is required, designers to deal with risks as they arise. but it doesn’t have to be high speed or “A designer could be challenged when it always available for that matter,” she becomes apparent they didn’t document explained. “By syncing files to laptops risks until the end,” he said. “Digital tech can or mobile devices for offline access, help designers productivity can continue uninterrupted 8. Awareness still lacking of Building deal with risks in the field. Files sync back to the cloud Safety Bill’s digital implications before they once within wifi or cellular range. As part of the debate on the Building get to site” “Another option is to cache frequently Safety Bill, in partnership with i3PT Zane Ulhaq, accessed content to a storage device in Atkins Certification, panellists agreed that the cabin. In this setup, users get very cultural change was required to get fast access to their content without tying to grips with the digital and data up bandwidth,” she added. requirements of the looming legislation. Paul Nash, chair of the CIOB Quality 6. Simple is beautiful with Willmott Commission, said: “It still surprises Dixon’s supply chain strategy me how few people are aware of what’s Willmott Dixon digital manager coming down the tracks and the need Andrew Gamblen explained how use of for change. Awareness and education is visualisation and smartphone apps had key. We need to be actively promoting been key in engaging the supply chain. the good work that’s being done by Speaking in the PlanRadar-sponsored organisations like Clarion who are webinar on communicating digital adopting the ‘golden thread’ principles. we need to manage that information solutions to site teams, he said: Don’t wait for legislation to make changes through the asset life cycle,” he noted. “Visualisation is a great way to engage that are required now.” with them, whether with high quality 4. 360-degree hard hat cameras renders, VR and AR. And keep the user 9. Project teams ignore data help TfL fire safety work experience simple: it must be intuitive sharing tools too often A complex fire protection project for with minimal training necessary.” Project information sharing is still too Transport for London at London’s chaotic, observed Chapman Taylor Victoria coach station was aided by 7. An HSE digital pilot aims to design Architects’ Stephen Higgon in the Atvero- innovative digital technology from out safety risks sponsored session on the potential of Oculo, Ringway Jacobs contract director A team involving the Health & Safety data to transform the industry. Chris Goodacre explained. Executive (HSE), Atkins, software The senior information manager said Oculo’s tracking tool involves workers house 3D Repo and the University of “Use that 92% of project design teams are clipping a 360-degree camera to their Manchester is calling on the industry visualisation using email to collaborate rather than the hard hats while they take a designated to trial its Discovering Safety designer to engage system they are meant to use, according daily route through the site, to build up a risk suggestion tool. HSE inspector digitally with to internal research. Some 80% struggle full digital record of site progress. Gordon Crick highlighted the need to your supply with version control. “Nearly two hours “While covid has been a driver to design out risk with a ‘digital rehearsal’: chain” of every day are lost to time spent Andrew Gamblen, change, we were already moving to “Identify the risk and make the change Willmott Dixon searching for and gathering information; virtual ways of working and different in a predicted state so that you’re doing and this work overload decreases technology prior to lockdown,” he said. it before the costs and challenges productivity by 68%,” he said. ●
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CPD
Ask most people to imagine an alum- Above: A bespoke inium access tower and they’ll think of access design made up of two CPD: BESPOKE something that comes in a kit with an towers with a bridge instruction manual. What they might not ALUMINIUM ACCESS Above right: Linked know is there are individuals qualified to towers provide 18m mix those kits together and build some- of uninterrupted STRUCTURES thing totally bespoke. It’s a service that access YOU CAN DO MORE WITH ALUMINIUM ACCESS TOWERS offers big benefits for savvy construction THAN YOU THINK. IT’S EVEN POSSIBLE TO COMMISSION managers who need to give their teams A BESPOKE STRUCTURE DESIGNED FOR YOUR SITE – a safe way of working at height, even HOWEVER TALL, WIDE OR AWKWARD IT MAY BE. BUT when budgets and deadlines are tight. DO YOU KNOW THE KEY SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS? THIS CPD, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PREFABRICATED The capabilities of aluminium towers ACCESS SUPPLIERS’ AND MANUFACTURERS’ These days, there’s a whole range of ASSOCIATION (PASMA), EXPLAINS standard towers available – mobile access towers, cantilever towers, towers with bridges, linked towers, towers on stairways and large deck towers.
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In association with
If none of those suit the requirements, a bespoke tower can be designed for a site, however tall, wide or awkward it may be. A standard tower allows “While there are dedicated workers to operate at up to 8m outdoors training courses for each type and 12m indoors, but these restrictions of standard tower, bespoke don’t apply here. towers can only be planned Access tower specialists can and assembled by a qualified build any type of tower, standard or access tower specialist” non-standard. But while there are dedicated training courses available for each type of standard tower, meaning l Lightweight – this is essential when any worker can be trained to build the the floor or ground can’t hold steel or Case study: tower they need, bespoke towers can powered access. 22 Bishopsgate, London only be planned and assembled by a l Low carbon footprint – it travels in a qualified access tower specialist. transit van, not a 10-tonne truck. Bespoke towers were used by Ridgeway and With clever engineering and prefab- l Aesthetically pleasing – shiny Instant UpRight for Multiplex on this project ricated aluminium components, they aluminium looks good in high-profile build structures that can reach the top locations. l of a building, with platforms at every l Flexible – it gets into awkward spaces. The challenge: Create design using l Tallest building in the building information l level along the way, and span the whole Collective fall prevention at all times City of London. modelling (BIM). facade too. They can create large deck – no harnesses required. l Very busy construction site. l Use mobile tower structure areas or squeeze into tight spaces. l Competitively priced. l Need access to ceiling that can be moved in and They can set towers up on stairwells All of this makes aluminium a at 28m in a facade atrium. out for ease of access l Slab stops short of to mechanical and and add advanced features like safe, convenient, cost-effective and facade with 9m voids over electrical services. cantilever frames over obstacles, environmentally friendly solution three extended abutments. l Use Spandecks and bridges to span doorways or beams for for almost every job – with one main l Multiple levels of escalators. cantilevers to bridge 9m gaps. working above swimming pools. Their exception. If heavy materials need to be l Ongoing access l Use components from structures are adaptable and can be stored or moved on the platforms, an required for mechanical stock for fast turnaround. and electrical services. mobile. In short, access towers are as aluminium structure might not take the l Fast up and down Service delivery: flexible as the client needs them to be. load, in which case, steel is more suitable. solution needed. l Assemble central tower l Detailed temporary structures on abutments. Hire and assembly Advances in safety works procedures. l Add cantilever platforms. l Install Spandecks. When you’re looking for a company to The first complex aluminium structure The solution: l Job completed 10 install a complex tower structure for ever built was a 200ft (61m) tower l Collaborate with manu- working days after initial you, the service you need is known as commissioned by the US Army in facturer’s engineering team. enquiry. ‘hire and assembly’. It includes: 1948. Not long afterwards, they started Spandeck walkway systems were used to give fast access to l equipment rental; appearing in the UK too. Here, the high ceilings on this very busy site in the City of London l consultation; service can be traced back to the early l specification; days of tower production in the 1950s. l design; Over the decades, safety standards l assembly; and for working at height have continually l dismantling. improved, and access towers are no exception. Why pick aluminium? As the subject matter experts on There are many advantages of choosing towers, PASMA, a not-for-profit an aluminium tower: trade body, has a key role in driving l Quick to build and dismantle – suiting up standards in hire and assembly. tight timescales. It encompasses two areas: good
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For more information about working with bespoke aluminium access structures visit pasma.co.uk/hire-and-assembly
“PASMA introduced formal training and assessment to a previously unregulated role and has raised standards as well as creating a way to demonstrate competence”
l risk assessment; l method statement; and l information on safe use to be displayed at the base of the tower. They must use safe equipment, which is achieved by ensuring every structure complies with either BS EN 1004 (the standard for mobile access towers) or BS 1139-6 (the standard for towers which use prefabricated components in advanced configurations). Another important requirement is that they must have a competent workforce. They achieve this by employing access tower specialists who have been trained by PASMA.
2. Training for access tower specialists An access tower specialist’s job is to assemble towers. This includes any working practices and training for An aluminium tower out what safety standards should be standard configuration tower, like access tower specialists. structure that has expected from these companies. mobile access towers, cantilever towers, been designed for PASMA encourages all businesses towers on stairways, linked towers and fitting cladding 1. Good working practices involved in erecting non-standard towers with bridges. But crucially, they PASMA is a membership association towers to adopt its standards and can also build bespoke, complex struc- which brings together members from become Hire & Assembly Members. tures from design drawings, created to across the tower industry, including Those who do are assessed prior to meet the unique needs of a site. manufacturers, hire centres and joining and receive annual audits, They must be capable of leading the training companies, with one thing in allowing them to prove their ongoing project from start to finish. common – a commitment to raising commitment to safe working practices. l Plan the build. tower safety standards. For each build, they collaborate with l Select safe equipment. In 2010, it launched a dedicated tower manufacturers to prepare the l Read design drawings. membership category for companies necessary paperwork. This consists of: l Assemble and dismantle. who install complex tower structures, l design drawing; l Make engineer-approved alterations. known as Hire & Assembly Members. l design certificate with calculations l Tie structures into buildings. For the first time, a light was shone and component schedule; l Inspect towers. on the working practices of the sector. A l verification report; l Lead teams effectively. code of conduct was established, setting l assembly, use and dismantling plan; l Conduct safe handovers.
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To see past CPD articles visit www.constructionmanagermagazine.com/cpd-articles
PASMA training scheme Choosing a supplier Right: Operatives For many years, access tower specialists These developments give managers take part in the PASMA Access a reliable way to select competent learned on the job. It’s what they did Tower Specialist all day every day, so experience soon suppliers. When you want a bespoke course built up. But with no nationwide training access tower, follow these three steps: Below: Training scheme, the knowledge being handed 1) Choose a supplier who is a PASMA involves the down wasn’t consistent, comprehensive Hire & Assembly Member construction of or assessed. There was no reliable way 2) Verify competence by asking to see bespoke complex structures to verify competence. their PASMA card and checking that These days, that’s not an option on it covers level ‘S’ (for Access Tower most construction sites. Managers Specialist) or ‘R’ (for Professional Tower need to be certain that everyone on Rigger, as they were formerly known). their project is skilled and qualified to 3) Check it’s a valid card by entering do their job. the details into the PASMA Card PASMA developed its demanding Checker: pasma.co.uk/check-a-card Access Tower Specialist training scheme With your team expecting a safe place for this very reason. It introduced to work at height, make sure your tower formal training and assessment to a is supplied and built by an appropriately
previously unregulated role and has skilled and qualified workforce. KENTEC TRAINING raised standards as well as creating a way to demonstrate competence. Action points This is how experienced tower l Consider aluminium for your next CPD Questions operatives in today’s world learn the work-at-height project. 1: In what year was the first complex advanced skills they need to work with l Update your access tower procurement aluminium structure built? bespoke structures safely. policies to specify PASMA members only. a) 1948 b) 1978 c) 2008 l Update your site access policies to To test yourself on 2: How can you verify that someone Skills and knowledge permit entry to PASMA-trained access the questions on the is qualified to assemble complex right, visit www. Delegates leave with an in-depth tower specialists. ● aluminium structures? construction understanding of the most relevant Find out more by visiting a) Ask for photos of their previous work managermagazine. b) Ask for their PASMA card and product standards and work at pasma.co.uk/hire-and-assembly. com/cpd-articles check it covers level ‘S’ or ‘R’ height legislation/regulations, as c) Ask for their PASMA card – all well as technical knowledge of design cardholders hold this skill constraints, loading criteria, enabling 3: What product standards are most components, component lifting relevant for complex aluminium towers? techniques, tying in, design drawings, a) BS EN 12811-1 hazard identification and safe assembly b) None – they’re still in development techniques. c) BS 1139-6 and BS EN 1004 Bespoke towers can go wide and 4: Which of these can a hire and they can go high. They can go around, assembly business NOT do for you? over and under obstacles, give access a) Rent the equipment to you for to multiple levels, provide large deck the duration of your project b) Assemble the structure areas and be adapted to meet evolving c) Train your employees to requirements. They can also remain in dismantle the structure place long term if needed. Doing all of this with lightweight, 5: What do you call someone who assembles towers for a living? prefabricated aluminium components a) PASMA trained operative requires specialist skills which are b) Access tower specialist taught exclusively by PASMA in the c) Scaffolder
Access Tower Specialist course. KENTEC TRAINING
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26_29CMNov20.cpdpasma_scWH.indd 29 20/10/2020 12:45 02.ads.CMSept20.eca.indd 2 17/08/2020 16:16 GARETH BYRNE GARETH © JACK HOBHOUSE JACK RAFTERY PAUL © © SIMON CARR PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON CARR DAVID LEVENE DAVID © © STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS 2020 Headline sponsors:
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Introduction In their 52nd year, the Structural Steel Design Awards continue to shine a spotlight on quality
Over the years, the Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA) have highlighted and rewarded many of the best examples of excellence, ambition and innovation in our built environment. Now celebrating their 52nd year, the 2020 Awards, jointly sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd, continue that great tradition. This year’s collection of entries demonstrate UK excellence in steel fabrication, design and construction. Once again, there has been a high number of quality entries and this year there are a wide variety of projects entered. Scales of entry ranged from sports grandstands, through prestige office buildings, to smaller educational and leisure projects and spectacular footbridges. Twenty-two projects made the shortlist, from which the judges presented six awards, six commendations and two merits. Due to covid-19 restrictions, there was no gala presentation this year, while the judging panel, who normally visit the shortlisted HISTORIC LINK RESTORED entries, had to interview project A STEEL FOOTBRIDGE HAS RECONNECTED THE team members via Microsoft TWO HALVES OF TINTAGEL CASTLE FOR THE Teams and Zoom. FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 500 YEARS The SSDA’s cross-industry judging panel comprises: chairman Chris Nash, Bill Taylor and Oliver Tyler representing the Royal Institute of British Architects; Tintagel Castle in Cornwall is one of gatehouse by a narrow strip of land that Above: Two 33m Richard Barrett representing the the UK’s most popular historic sites was lost to erosion sometime during steel cantilevers steelwork contracting industry; and draws more than 200,000 visitors the 15th or 16th Century. project from the rocky outcrops Paul Hulme representing the a year and up to 3,000 a day in the peak Subsequently, visitors crossed a Institution of Civil Engineers; summer season. wooden bridge at the foot of the void and Sarah Pellereau, Professor Positioned on two rocky coastal and climbed a series of vertiginous steps Roger Plank and Julia Ratcliffe outcrops, Tintagel Castle is a spectacular onto the island. This restricted access representing the Institution of site, divided by a steep gorge. The main caused significant congestion in the Structural Engineers. part of the castle is on a headland, which summer months and detracted from
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: JIM HOLDEN; OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: HUFTON+CROW PHOTOGRAPHS: JIM HOLDEN; OPPOSITE PAGE MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: was once linked to the mainland and its the visitor experience.
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Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager
The palette of materials is equally simple. Painted mild steel has been used for the main chords, duplex stainless What the judges said steel for the cross bracing, deck trays “Every steel component and balustrading, with Delabole slate has been carefully detailed laid ‘on edge’ for the deck finish, and for constructability and untreated English oak for the handrail. durability, elevating the Each material was selected for graceful aesthetic” its durability as the site is in an extremely harsh marine environment. Architecturally the aim was to The opening of the new footbridge has create a bridge which was resolutely was installed, more commonly used in alleviated this problem and restored contemporary in its design and mountainous regions such as the Alps, to the original link, allowing visitors to fabrication, but also timeless and supply materials and even personnel once again walk in the footsteps of the complementary to its setting. to otherwise inaccessible locations. site’s medieval inhabitants. The steel element was chosen as a The cable crane had a 5 tonne Project architect William Matthews lightweight solution and one that could lifting capacity, could pick up steel says: “The design of the footbridge be fabricated offsite into deliverable elements from a small holding area is relatively simple – two 33m-long pieces. Getting the steel elements to on the headland and subsequently fed cantilevers which reach out from site was just one of the challenges the construction of the bridge’s two each abutment and don’t quite meet in that needed to be overcome, as the cantilevers. the middle. gatehouse can only be accessed by All of the steel elements were “The central gap serves two functions; Top right: Steel one narrow lane. A multi-axle vehicle fabricated by Underhill Engineering into technically it allows each bridge half to was chosen for its was used to deliver the steelwork and fully assembled and erectable pieces; expand and contract with variations in durability in a harsh navigate the winding road. that included top and bottom chords, environment temperature; and poetically it creates a Lifting the steel into place was another bracings and cross members. threshold between the mainland and the Below: The bridge is significant challenge, with no room or Summing up, the judges said every finished with a slate island. A series of 16m-long rock anchors deck and English access for a crane in the gorge, which steel component has been carefully tie the bridge halves into each cliff face.” oak handrail is more than 60m-deep. A cable crane detailed for constructability and durability, elevating the graceful aesthetic. The project is a triumph: a credit to English Heritage’s vision and the entire team which employed mostly local fabricators, supported by Alpine construction specialists. ●
Award: Tintagel Footbridge, Cornwall Lead architect: Ney & Partners Co architect: William Matthews Associates Steelwork contractor: Underhill Engineering Main contractor: American Bridge UK Client: English Heritage
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Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager EXTERIOR PHOTOGRAPH: CHRIS WAKEFIELD; INTERIORS: PAUL RAFTERY INTERIORS: PAUL CHRIS WAKEFIELD; EXTERIOR PHOTOGRAPH:
plant equipment, supports a rooftop STEEL PASSES extension above the existing building, and encloses two wings of flexible workshops SCHOOL EXAMINATION and studios, as well as providing a substantial new mezzanine level. OLD AND NEW STEELWORK ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN COMBINED Grimshaw Architects’ principal Ben TO CREATE A MODERN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY Heath says: “The use of steel delivered the large uninterrupted flexible volumes which allow for its adaption over time. Originally opened in 1976 as a Herman steel facade frame has been kept. It Above: The original It also provides the aesthetic for the Miller furniture factory, this Grade II supports a flexible modular system steel facade frame building at a number of scales from now supports a listed industrial building was purchased of glazed and solid panels, as well as the structural frame and expressive modular system in 2016 by Bath Spa University and the primary structure of continuous of glazed and structural connections right down to converted into a new home for Bath secondary roof beams that create solid panels the steel brackets which support the Schools of Art and Design. 20m-long internal spans. services, lighting, signage and furniture.” One of the key ambitions of the Beyond the challenges of retaining The project’s unique design has project’s design was to retain as much and refurbishing the existing frame, a also become a mandate to teach of the existing steel-framed building new steel structure raises the roof by 1m, differently. In the past, teaching as possible, and to this end the original supports a new roof deck for extensive practices adapted to suit the
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Steel exoskeleton lights up LSE Exposed steelwork plays a structural and aesthetic role in this educational building
What the judges said “Structural additions were separated from the existing, requiring careful installation, and the facade sensitively upgraded… The result is a building of exceptional quality” AKT II AKT
building, but this building informs to be independent of the existing frame to Above: Flexible Commendation: Centre Building, teaching in a different way – putting allow for future removal or adaption structures allow the London School of Economics internal layout to be flexible creative enterprise at its heart. without detriment to the original. Architect: Rogers Stirk reconfigured Harbour + Partners To facilitate this, the new steel roof Within the building, reflective Below left: Exposed Structural engineer: AKT II is raised by Vierendeel steel trusses, areas encourage students to indulge steel brackets Steelwork contractor: allowing a flexible network of ‘plug in discourse outside of their usual support the Billington Structures Ltd and play’ services to run at high level. disciplines. Communal open spaces services, signage Main contractor: Mace and lighting This allows the spaces below to be encourage ‘bumping into’ of staff, Client: London School of reconfigured as required. The modular students, professionals and visitors, Economics facade system also allows the elevation providing unknown opportunities, while to be easily reconfigured to respond to professionalised spaces – such as the Constructed in two parts, with a changing internal requirements. gallery, art shop, rooftop, a publicly six-storey and 13-storey element, The mezzanine floor beams have accessible cafe and riverside landscape and interlinked by an atrium, the additional web openings to allow for – are designed to engage enterprise Centre Building project replaces future servicing and both the mezzanine activities and the local community. four previous buildings that were demolished on the London School of and rooftop pavilion are designed to allow In summary, the judges said this Economics (LSE) campus. the internal layout to be reconfigured to project involved a major repurposing The overall superstructure system suit future needs. All structures are framed of a Grade II-listed industrial building, of steel beams and columns, concrete thus validating key concepts of the cores and precast concrete floor slabs facilitates simple and flexible original 1970s design – adaptability floorplates, which can easily be and sustainability. Structural additions adapted for future uses. were separated from the existing, Exposed steelwork, internal and requiring careful installation, and the external, gives the building a distinct facade sensitively upgraded to improve and contemporary appearance. At either end of each block, exposed performance. The result is a building SHS bracings bookend the project of exceptional quality ideally suited to and form a highly visible steelwork its new use. ● element. This exoskeleton bracing, which sits approximately 300mm outside of the building envelope, is Award: Bath Schools of Art also a structural requirement, sharing and Design the stability with two concrete cores. Architect: Grimshaw Architects The judges said it is a carefully crafted building, worked into an Structural engineer: extremely constrained site. Close Mann Williams collaboration between the design team Steelwork contractor: and steel fabricator has produced Littleton Steel a high-quality appearance to the Main contractor: Willmott Dixon steelwork with careful attention to the connection details and paint finish. Client: Bath Spa University
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Opened earlier this year, Highways The River Great Ouse viaduct England’s £1.5bn A14 improvement required 6,000 tonnes of steel, scheme between Cambridge and comprising 76 separate main girders Huntingdon is said to have relieved and 800 cross girders. The ladder deck congestion, unlocked economic bridge spans the river itself and a large growth, improved safety and enhanced area of floodplain on either side. the local environment. Supported on 16 pairs of piers, most There are numerous bridge of the main girders required were 40m structures along the route of the long, 2m deep and weighed 50 tonnes. scheme including the scheme’s The section of bridge that crosses the showpiece bridge, a 750m-long viaduct river has a longer span requiring more BRIDGES EASE over the River Great Ouse, and two complex girders, with larger, deeper identical 1,050-tonne bridges to carry haunches to carry the greater load. CONGESTION a major roundabout at Bar Hill Junction A time-saving construction method over the new A14. adopted on this viaduct was the use STEELWORK PROVED TO BE THE IDEAL Weathering steel was used for of precast concrete slabs for the deck MATERIAL TO CONSTRUCT THE LONGEST all three structures to provide the rather than the more traditional insitu BRIDGES ON A MAJOR £1.5BN ROAD required durability with minimal concrete deck slab. This meant that the IMPROVEMENT SCHEME future maintenance. concrete deck units could be installed JAMES WALKER JAMES
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Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager ARUP
Steel bridges Cork’s River Lee What the judges said Steel was used to create “Innovative solutions were an elegant bridge with an employed by the design team uninterrupted 66m span, to minimise disruption and which provides a practical optimise the programme” and visually appealing new pedestrian and cycle route in the heart of the city
simultaneously while steelwork Commendation: Mary Elmes erection was still in progress further Bridge, Cork City along the bridge. Architect: WilkinsonEyre This construction sequence Structural engineer: Arup demanded close coordination and also Main contractor: Keating meant that every piece of steelwork Client: Cork City Council had to be fabricated to extremely tight tolerances to ensure a precise interface Honouring Mary Elmes, known with the precast concrete slabs. as Ireland’s Oskar Schindler, this The viaduct was completed on transformative bridge link is part budget and ahead of schedule. be infilled and surfaced. The fully Above: One of Cork’s drive to become a more The installation of the twin bridges concreted bridge decks were then of the Bar Hill accessible, sustainable city. Junction bridges is The design features a central at Bar Hill Junction over the new A14 lifted from the trestles onto the manoeuvred by self- spine beam that transitions from maximised the advantages of offsite SPMTs, and manoeuvred at less than propelled modular below to above the deck along steel fabrication and rapid assembly 1mph onto and along the carriageway. transporters (SPMT) the span introducing a small arch to improve programme times, reduce The decks were positioned by the Opposite: The River effect, which increased stiffness environmental impacts and minimise SPMTs and lowered precisely onto Great Ouse Viaduct in bending and contributed to required 6,000 the slender appearance of the disruption to road users. the concrete abutments. tonnes of steel bridge. To further increase the The multi-girder bridge decks, each Both bridges were installed during structural efficiency, the pedestrian measuring 47.5m in length comprise a single 11-hour period and the road walkway is integrated into the three pairs of braced main girders was clear for reopening at noon on structural system. Meanwhile, combining the shallow supporting GRP permanent formwork Sunday, an incredible 18 hours ahead slender arch with transparent mesh and an insitu concrete deck slab. of schedule parapets allowed the design team to Overall, each deck contains 330 tonnes The judges were impressed with deliver an understated but visually of steel and 720 tonnes of concrete. the innovative solutions the project appealing design with uninterrupted The original plan was to erect the team employed to minimise disruption, views of the river and cityscape. The bridge was fabricated offsite bridges piece-by-piece using a crane. optimise the programme and ensure in nine sections, assembled at a This would have involved closing flawless execution on site.● shipyard downriver from its eventual the A14 for a number of weekends, home and transported up the River causing significant disruption. Lee on a custom-made barge. It Award: A14 Cambridge to was then lifted into position by However, a more cost-effective Huntingdon Improvement Scheme cranes located on each quay during scheme was developed that allowed Structural engineer: Atkins, an overnight road closure in a both bridges to be constructed CH2M Hill Joint Venture tandem lift. Summing up, the judges said offline prior to installation, and then Steelwork contractor: installed using self-propelled modular the elegant and deceptively simple Cleveland Bridge design of this bridge has turned a transporters (SPMTs). Main contractor: A14 Integrated new pedestrian and cycle city centre The A14 was closed to traffic at Delivery Team river crossing into something of a 9pm on a Friday to allow the sections Client: Highways England destination in its own right. of the existing A14 carriageway to
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36_37.CM Steel20 A14_Mary Elmes bridge_scW.indd 37 20/10/2020 13:22 STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager THIS PAGE: MATT BROWNE SPORTSFILE; OPPOSITE PAGE: ROGER O’SULLIVAN (TOP); AECOM (BELOW) (TOP); ROGER O’SULLIVAN OPPOSITE PAGE: SPORTSFILE; BROWNE MATT THIS PAGE:
from 27m in the central area to 45m in STEEL IS FIRST the double-cantilevered corners. The roof structure, supported on the PAST THE POST exposed precast concrete grandstand frame below, consists of a regular THE REDEVELOPMENT OF IRELAND’S CURRAGH arrangement of steel cantilever trusses RACECOURSE HAS RELIED ON STEEL CONSTRUCTION tapering into open plated sections TO CREATE ITS CENTREPIECE GRANDSTAND ROOF at the tips to create the razor-sharp leading edge as well as simplifying fabrication. Additional spine trusses In order to maintain The Curragh’s that recognises the planar landscape Above: A steel follow the diagonal hip line of the roof position as one of the world-leading in which it is set. cantilever roof corners, creating a two-way lattice crowns the new racecourses, a redevelopment of the According to project architect grandstand frame with optimised planar geometry. spiritual home of Irish flat racing has Grimshaw, the 7,200 sq m cantilever Aecom project engineer Michael been undertaken to meet anticipated roof design was key to creating the Orr says the main challenge for the future demands. architectural vision, with the envelope Curragh Racecourse was the design At the heart of this scheme is a new surfaces tuned to mask the depth of the of the steelwork forming the doubly grandstand, which is crowned with structure and create a gravity-defying cantilevered roof and specifically the a dramatic soaring cantilever roof illusion with cantilever spans ranging detail design and fabrication of the
38 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
38_39.CM Steel20 CurraghStandard_scW.indd 38 20/10/2020 14:42 constructionmanagermagazine.com STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS
High Standard A 1970s concrete-framed former council office has been reinvented as a boutique hotel
What the judges said “Behind this bold architectural statement lies a highly accomplished level of detailed design, precise fabrication and accurate construction” TIMOTHY SOAR TIMOTHY
Commendation: The Standard complex three-dimensional nodes Hotel, London supporting the dramatic overhangs. Architect: Orms “The nodes, and their interfaces Structural engineer: with the exposed concrete structure Heyne Tillett Steel below, required intensive collaboration Main contractor: between Aecom’s designers and the McLaren Construction steelwork contractor to resist the high Client: Crosstree concentrations of load from the two-way Real Estate Partners LLP spanning structure, and to ensure all tolerances and pre-setting requirements Before construction work began could be achieved,” he explains. on the Standard Hotel on London’s The roof design also allowed the MEP mutual vision. For the long-span double- Above: The complex Euston Road, structural engineer plant to be concealed within the roof clad roof, Aecom’s structural engineers roof design involved Heyne Tillett Steel (HTS) tested the careful coordination capacity of the structure, foundations space with no detriment to the overall and facade engineers worked hand-in- with the facade and ground to reveal their spare form. The result is a total steelwork hand to deliver a holistic design solution, Below left: Steel capacity. Once complete, they were mass of approximately 115kg/sq m for minimising the overall quantities of cantilever trusses confident that the concrete frame and the majority of the roof area. structural steelwork by ensuring all taper at the tips to under-reamed piles could be pushed Integrating the structural solution steel surfaces were fully coordinated create a sharp edge to allow the conversion of the building and a three-storey extension to be with the building envelope was also key with the cladding fixing requirements. added to the structure. to the success of realising the team’s This included integrating with the To support the required three MEP, lighting and rainwater collection additional floors that start at level systems without compromising the nine, new supporting steel perimeter columns from the first-floor transfer structural or visual integrity. slab was the preferred option. Adding “Structural steelwork was used as the three storeys, a 30% increase it was the only cost-effective solution to the weight of the building, only that could meet the demands of required discrete strengthening to the design, in terms of achieving four existing columns. HTS says the use of steel enabled structural performance and creating the new floors to be lightweight the architectural drama of the slender and shallow in depth. Steel also cantilevered roof,” adds Orr. adhered to tight hotel vibration Summing up, the judges said a blade- criteria and the long-span existing office column grid below. like aerofoil roof is now the dramatic Award: The Curragh Racecourse The judges said through forensic Redevelopment, Kildare centrepiece to this open landscape and analysis of the existing building and Architect: Grimshaw Architects world-famous sporting venue. Behind highly intelligent design responses, this project showcases the role of structural Structural engineer: Aecom this bold architectural statement lies a highly accomplished level of steel in repurposing and enlarging Steelwork contractor: Kiernan this existing building, maximising the Structural Steel Ltd detailed design, precise fabrication, retention of embodied carbon. This Main contractor: John Sisk & Son and accurate construction to the most has created a new landmark on one Client: The Curragh Racecourse Ltd demanding of tolerance requirements. of the capital’s principal arteries. A great team effort. ●
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38_39.CM Steel20 CurraghStandard_scW.indd 39 20/10/2020 14:42 STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager
A NOD TO A FAMOUS ENGINEER The exoskeleton THE BRUNEL BUILDING HAS AN EXPOSED STEEL DESIGN AND extends beyond roof level to create IS NAMED IN HONOUR OF ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL, sheltered gardens WHO BUILT THE ADJACENT PADDINGTON RAILWAY STATION
With his tall stovepipe hat, Isambard Kingdom Brunel is an instantly recog- nisable figure from history. As well as his headwear, the engineering innovator was famous for his bridges, tunnels and ships – and now an eye-catching commercial block, next to his Great Western Railway terminus in west London, has been named in his honour. Known as the Brunel Building, the structure would have undoubtedly delighted the engineer with its exposed engineered steelwork and multiple connections. “As well as offering recognition to Brunel, as his first-ever bridge was once located on the northern boundary of our site, the steel design has enabled us to express the structure in a contemporary way and create the desired clear internal spans,” explains Fletcher Priest Architects’ senior project architect Chris Radley. The architectural brief was to create a landmark building which provided a high-quality, innovative, people- centred workspace and which would re-engage the site with the canal. Within the structure, services are exposed to maximise flexibility and workspace volume. This logic is continued externally with an exoskeleton positioned outside the facade. The exoskeleton structure extends beyond roof level to create glazed, wind-sheltered gardens on the 15th and 17th floor levels. It also shades the large expanses of glazing, affording scenic panoramic views across the west
PHOTOGRAPHS: DIRK LINDNER (THIS PAGE); JACK HOBHOUSE (TOP, OPPOSITE PAGE) HOBHOUSE (TOP, JACK LINDNER (THIS PAGE); DIRK PHOTOGRAPHS: London skyline.
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40_41.CM Steel20.Brunel.Waterloo_scW.indd 40 20/10/2020 14:55 constructionmanagermagazine.com STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS
Changing station A steel-framed link connects Waterloo’s former international terminal with the main station
What the judges said “Expressed structural steelwork in the external frame and floor structures is dramatic and dynamic; all is detailed with MICHAEL COCKERHAM MICHAEL
great care and attention” © Commendation: Waterloo Despite the bespoke nature of the Station Roof Infill building, a regular 6m floor beam Architect: Aecom spacing was used with precast lattice Structural engineer: slabs set down into the web zone of Mott MacDonald the supporting steel plate girders. The Steelwork contractor: services and structure are seamlessly Bourne Group Ltd Main contractor: Wessex integrated, enabling a more efficient use Capacity Alliance of the available structural depth and Client: Network Rail maximising floor-to-ceiling heights. A semi-unitised curtain-wall cladding London’s Waterloo Station has been system with an insulated strong-back In summary, the judges said this Above: The curtain- transformed by the Wessex Capacity wall cladding of the system provided a considerable amount project shows how a proactive client Alliance’s (WCA) programme of works, facade is wrapped of repetition, together with flexibility working with a talented team can produce which included rebuilding the former by the exoskeleton where required. a commercial office building of the international terminal (WIT), allowing its Below: Floor For the steelwork design, floor beams highest integrity. Expressed structural platforms to be brought back into use. beams meet As part of this, an infill roof span directly from core wall out to the steelwork in the external frame and floor the exoskeleton structure has been delivered, bridging exoskeleton. One consequence of this is structures is dramatic and dynamic; all support the gap between the three-pin arch that the location of the floor beams on is detailed with great care and attention. roof of Grimshaw’s WIT terminal, and each level varies to meet the exoskeleton A roof garden provides a welcome the trussed 1920s steel roofs forming the main station concourse. support. This means that beam location extension to the public domain. ● The infill roof is a rectangular steel- varies slightly on each floor and thus framed box, 52m long by 18m wide and beam spans and service opening 26m high at the western end, tapering locations also vary. The project team along one side to accommodate the used digital workflows to optimise and shape of the former Eurostar structure and oversailing the two station roofs. communicate plate thicknesses, weld It requires two 508mm-diameter sizes, connection designs, pre-cambers, circular hollow section (CHS) columns movements, and fabrication and to support it in the middle. As well as installation information. providing support to the roof, the CHS columns allow a central area with a Close collaboration between all 26m clear span. Forming the main span parties allowed the various stiffness of the roof is a 4.2m deep x 52m long factors, tolerances and construction Award: Brunel Building, London spine truss, weighing 27 tonnes. sequence impacts to be considered and The central spine truss supports Architect: Fletcher Priest individual pre-camber values agreed for eight pairs of gullwing trusses sitting Architects perpendicular to the main structure, each beam. This provided a challenge for Structural engineer: Arup forming overhangs on either side. the contractor and MEP subcontractors, Steelwork contractor: The judges noted that the steel which they solved, in part, by projecting Severfield frame, sympathetically designed to the MEP subcontractor information reflect the detailing of the existing Main contractor: structure, and ingeniously erected onto the relevant ceilings while the Laing O’Rourke in a live station, facilitates a huge operatives installed the required Client: Derwent London increase in station capacity. equipment and service runs.
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40_41.CM Steel20.Brunel.Waterloo_scW.indd 41 20/10/2020 14:55 STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life in association with Construction Manager CUTTING EDGE DESIGN KNOWN AS THE SCALPEL, 52 LIME STREET IS A DRAMATIC, SLEEK AND GEOMETRICAL ADDITION TO THE HIGH-RISE CITY OF LONDON LANDSCAPE
Rising to 42 storeys high, 52 Lime Street has since its inception been dubbed the Scalpel, because of its dramatic architectural shape that features an inclined northern facade, which has a diagonal fold line running from top to bottom. This striking facade is formed by a series of cranked plate girder columns, spaced at 6m centres. For the double- height ground floor these columns are vertical, but from the first floor they are cranked and slope inwards all the way to the building’s pointed top. The tower leans in such a way that it is invisible behind the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral when approached from the west along Fleet Street, while the roofline falls away sharply to the south in recognition of the overall composition of the City cluster. The structural frame consists of a composite design with steelwork supporting metal decking and a concrete slab. All of the floor beams are 670mm- deep fabricated plate girders with service holes to allow service integration within the structural void. The use of steelwork is said to have
CONSTRUCTION SHOTS ON OPPOSITE PAGE: SIMON CARR PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON CARR ON OPPOSITE PAGE: SHOTS CONSTRUCTION allowed the scheme to achieve a greater
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42_43.CM Steel20.LimeStreetandBart_scW.indd 42 20/10/2020 15:02 constructionmanagermagazine.com STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS
Barts goes big on flexibility Steel is central to this new office building’s flexibility
What the judges said “Ground-breaking savings in both costs and embodied carbon have been achieved by innovative solutions”
floor space, which was one of the client’s financial centre, the distinct inclined Opposite: The Commendation: One specifications, while steel’s speed of outlines of the Scalpel complement Scalpel’s distinctive Bartholomew, Barts Square, construction is always an important the surrounding profiles. shape above the City London consideration on a city-centre project. Ground-breaking savings in both Top: The glazed Architect: Sheppard Robson elevation is fitted to Unlike many commercial buildings, costs and embodied carbon have been the steel frame Structural engineer: Waterman Steelwork contractor: the Scalpel’s main core is offset and achieved by innovative solutions, Below: The use of positioned along the south elevation, while maximising letting areas, the steel enabled faster William Hare which allows the structure to maximise judges said. They also praised the construction Main contractor: Mace its internal floor space with spans of project’s advanced use of BIM and Client: Helical up to 20m. full-scale trials. ● Cost also plays an important role in One Bartholomew is a 12-storey any project and the use of a BIM model Award: 52 Lime Street, London building offering approximately 20,000 sq m of Grade A office space helped the team ensure the steel frame Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox was as efficient as possible. with a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and Structural engineer: Arup is the latest element of Barts Square, “We made a considerable weight saving Steelwork contractor: a new mixed-use development in as all of the beams have varying flanges William Hare Farringdon, central London. Flexibility is at the heart of the and webs depending on the relevant Main contractor: Skanska loadings,” explains Arup project engineer building’s steel-framed design. Client: WRBC Development UK The structure is adaptable to the Steve McKechnie. “All of this was worked Limited anticipated changing requirements out automatically via the BIM model.” of its users, as there are generous Steelwork contractor William Hare floor-to-ceiling heights, alongside an undertook a complex construction efficient floorplate. sequence to complete the project. One of William Hare erected 2,350 tonnes of steel for the scheme. The steel the main challenges was one of the final frame gains its stability from a elements – the iconic triangular attic. reinforced concrete core and the Positioned at the peak of the structure, diaphragm action of the floor slabs. the 10-storey triangular attic houses the Some of the project’s largest steelwork elements are at ground plant and maintenance walkways. To floor, where a series of deep cantilever make the erection of the attic structure transfer beams extends the facade as smooth as possible, it was trial erected to the boundary and above the in the fabrication yard, so the extremely basement perimeter piles. complex fabrication and tight tolerances These deep beams required extensive work to ensure they could could be fully tested and proven. be lifted into position, while the Following the trial assembly, the design had to make sure the splice structure was dismantled and transported connections did not interfere with to London in the largest possible pieces, the large service holes. The judges said the project in order to reduce the piece count and showcases how steel can deliver a allow for erection on site by tower cranes. highly flexible long-span commercial Taking its place within the cluster of building within an urban context. prestigious tall buildings in London’s
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42_43.CM Steel20.LimeStreetandBart_scW.indd 43 20/10/2020 15:03 STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN AWARDS constructionmanagermagazine.com
Other finalists: l The Balfour, Kirkwall, Orkney l One Bank Street, Canary Wharf l Barton Square, Intu Trafford l Drake Circus The Barcode, Centre, Manchester Plymouth l Boeing GoldCare Aircraft l National Infrastructure Hangar, Gatwick Airport Laboratory, University of l Bridgewater Place Wind Southampton Produced by the BCSA and Steel for Life Amelioration Scheme, Leeds l The Wave, Coventry in association with Construction Manager
with integral parapets and deck plate to match the main river spans. Stability of the cantilevered main spans Steel gives new life to was achieved with mechanical uplift London’s Post Building bearings. Tensioned straining wires run through integral eyelets on the parapets, A new steel frame incorporates retained which are anchored into masonry-clad elements in a former sorting office anchor blocks at either end of the structure. Aecom regional director, transportation, Peter Robinson says: “To minimise weight and maximise prefabrication, steel was York’s sustainable the obvious choice for the scheme. “Steelwork was also beneficial as it helped bridge solution form a lightweight, aesthetic structure that Using weathering steel for a required minimal work at height over water pedestrian and cycle link minimises and therefore caused minimal disruption to the operational railway.” weight and disruption The judges said the bridge wholly Said to be reminiscent of Viking longships, fulfils the brief, promoting sustainable Scarborough Footbridge spans the River transport for all users through the city. Ouse in York providing a new pedestrian and cycle link between the city centre and main railway station. Merit: Scarborough The weathering steel bridge comprises two Footbridge, York 22m-long main river spans which are formed Architect: Network Rail Commendation: duties, while the building’s of prefabricated box girders with integral Structural engineer: Aecom upper four floors, now curved parapets and cantilevered deck plates. The Post Building, Meanwhile, two 10m-long side spans Main contractor: AmcoGiffen London demolished, accommodated administrative offices and a cross over the existing river footpath and Client: City of York Council Architect: Allford Hall plant level. are formed of prefabricated u-troughs Monaghan Morris Retaining a large steel Structural engineer: frame required steelwork The extension is a disc-shaped Arup contractor BHC to use structure, connected to the existing bar via more than 200 tonnes of Steelwork contractor: a new semi-circular structure. temporary steel propping BHC Ltd The main steel frame is supported on and bracing, as the frame’s four CHS columns, supported from the Main contractor: original stability system had existing structure. Before these were Laing O’Rourke been demolished. installed, the Edwardian steel columns Client: Brockton A series of existing below were strengthened with stiffener transfer beams have Capital LLP and Oxford plates. The floor of the new bar structure been slimmed down from Properties Group is formed from a grillage of box girder 2.0m-deep to 600mm-deep beams and UB section infills. members to allow mezzanine In summary, the judges said this popular Located on London’s New floors to be inserted and bar sits above Dublin’s most visited Oxford Street, this former maximize the available Defying Gravity tourist attraction and the works were Royal Mail sorting office headroom within the existing A steel-framed extension looks out carried out with the building remaining has been redeveloped into a floor-to-floor heights. over the rooftops of Dublin operational throughout. new mixed-use scheme by An entirely new steel incorporating large retained frame has been erected The Gravity Bar that sits atop the Guinness steel elements within a new around the retained portion Storehouse in Dublin has undergone an Merit: The Gravity Bar, steel frame. completing the lower three expansion in order to accommodate an Guinness Storehouse, Dublin A horseshoe-shaped floors and filling up the ever-increasing number of visitors. Architect: RKD zone in the middle of the entire site’s footprint. Opened in 2000 and offering views Structural engineer: Arup site containing ground, In summary, the judges across the Irish capital, the Gravity Bar first and second floor said this is a great example needed more space and the solution was to Steelwork contractor: levels was left in place. of a steel-framed building build a rooftop extension. This consists of Steel & Roofing Systems These floors were originally being adapted to give a new a new steel-framed structure that links to Main contractor: PJ Hegarty & Sons used for mail sorting life for a different use. the existing bar and more than doubles the Client: Diageo available floor space.
44 | CONSTRUCTION MANAGER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
44.CM Steel20.Otherfinalists_scW.indd 44 20/10/2020 15:11 Insulation
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Legal
would often advise clients to delete force majeure wording in the JCT contract because it is inadequately defined. Nicola Conway Trowers & Hamlins There are many more common amendments that clients demand. Take for example, the JCT Design and Build 2016. The title is a Do consultants misnomer; the contractor is not in fact fully responsible for all of the works’ design and amend JCT relief is given to the contractor for errors in the content of the upfront design, the employer’s contracts just to requirements (ERs). boost their fees? Responsibility for the ERs Many clients, who are not necessarily CONTRACTORS OFTEN GRUMBLE construction experts, will understandably be ABOUT AMENDMENTS TO JCT seeking a ‘single point of responsibility’ for CONTRACTS. NICOLA CONWAY defects in design and construction. This is equally LOOKS AT THE ARGUMENTS an expectation of their funders, tenants and other interested parties. Therefore, well-advised There is a commonly held view that, while There has been clients often amend the standard form contract the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) suite of debate about whether so that the contractor takes the responsibility for covid-19 constitutes contracts are not closed books, clients are often the ERs and the contractor’s proposals, as well force majeure under encouraged by advisors to make unnecessary standard form contracts as mistakes, errors or discrepancies within or amendments to the contract under the guise of between the contract documents. balancing of risk – which results in uncertainty Likewise, most parties would expect the and complicated, lengthy disputes. building contract to be freely assignable Lawyers are more than familiar with this without the contractor’s consent, which is argument. Drafting a ‘one size fits all’ contract not the standard position under the JCT. This for every project is of course no easy feat and is particularly the case when the client wishes the JCT suite remains the most widely used to secure finance for the project or where it form of contract in the private sector. However, wants to dispose of the property on completion it is natural for clients to seek to tailor any “The amendments often to a buyer or asset operator. Flexibility on contract to their unique circumstances and, encourage conversations between assignment is market standard these days and more often than not, amendments will be made parties that would otherwise is not ordinarily considered to be contentious. to a contract during negotiations. not take place prior to entering into Another key area for dispute is ground While contract amendments are viewed by the contract, and this ultimately conditions. The JCT is silent on this risk, but some as a cynical exercise in generating fees benefits both parties” the common law position is that the risk of for professional advisors, those amendments unforeseen ground conditions rests with the mostly look to reduce disputes rather than contractor. Adding specific provisions dealing increase uncertainty between the parties. The definition in English law – undefined has already with ground conditions allows for the parties amendments often encourage conversations led to thousands of hours of lawyers’ time being to discuss the issue and draw out any project between parties that would otherwise not take incurred advising clients on whether contractors specific issues at the outset, ensuring the position place prior to entering into the contract, and will benefit from an extension of time, or the is clear to both as to where responsibility lies. this ultimately benefits both parties. right to terminate their JCT contract. If JCT amendments are drafted correctly, By way of a topical example, there has been There is very little previous judicial opinion then the contract should operate to resolve considerable debate about whether the current on how force majeure should be interpreted and issues as and when they arise on site without coronavirus pandemic constitutes force majeure the industry is expecting a wave of litigation leading to lengthy and costly disputes. under standard form contracts. The JCT’s choice to follow. This is not a mess born of lawyers’ Nicola Conway is a senior associate at to leave the term – which has no established interference; even before the pandemic, we Trowers & Hamlins.
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46.CMNov20.legal_scWH.indd 46 20/10/2020 15:21 47.ad.CMNov20.oscaracou.indd 47 20/10/2020 11:19 CIOB COMMUNITY constructionmanagermagazine.com
CIOB Community
Education The CIOB has launched a new massive open online course (MOOC) titled CIOB launches online course in Mental Health in Construction. Participants on the course, which mental health in construction began on 12 October, will learn to under- stand signs and symptoms of poor MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSE ENCOURAGES DISCOURSE ON MENTAL mental health and understand how to HEALTH IN THE SECTOR FROM PARTICPANTS AROUND THE WORLD manage their own mental wellbeing, as well as that of their colleagues. They will also hear about how to “This course change construction’s culture to end is a positive the stigma around mental health. and welcome The course encourages discourse step in building from those across the globe and would the tools we be of value to anyone involved in the need, both as industry with an interest in improving individuals its record on mental health. and as The CIOB’s extensive work on organisations” mental health includes a recent report, Professor Understanding Mental Health in the Built Charles Egbu, CIOB past president Environment. It has also worked with organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness and launch continuing professional development (CPD) courses such as its Dementia Awareness course. CIOB past president Professor Charles Egbu said: “This course is a positive and welcome step in building the tools we need, both as individuals and as organisations, to start working toward a brighter future and better mental health, in work and in life. “The entire construction industry needs to continuously work on the struc- The CIOB recently ture and environment that negatively published a report, impact workers’ mental health – no one Understanding Mental Health in the person can solve this on their own.” ● Built Environment www. ciobacademy.org
Skills Originally planned for April, the insufficient apprenticeships CIOB’s annual Conservation and a ‘framework’ which is not Conservation Conference will now be held as a fit for purpose. virtual conference on 5 November. This comes against the conference The event will explore the background of an unprecedented impact of the loss of traditional number of large projects where goes virtual craft skills. This has reached these skills will be essential, such critical levels as an ageing as the Palace of Westminster and LIVE EVENT ON 5 NOVEMBER workforce retires, along with Notre Dame Cathedral. Reconstruction of Notre Dame de Paris
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CM Community Nov 2020_scW.indd 48 20/10/2020 08:48 constructionmanagermagazine.com CIOB COMMUNITY
Story for Community? Email Nicky Roger [email protected]
The CIOB said while it had previously Research been supportive of the initiative, which Member digs has the potential to boost construction CIOB ONLINE by delivering a pipeline of labour- CONFERENCE deeper in digital EXPLORES intensive repair, maintenance and QUALITY twin technology improvement work, it has also been clear in its calls for improvements in quality. The CIOB is holding A CIOB MEMBER IN its online World Amid concerns raised by industry AUSTRALIA IS PIONEERING Quality Day event on EXCAVATOR RESEARCH bodies including the CIOB, the 12 November. government will require contractors Industry leaders Dr Samad Sepasgozar from the Funding carrying out work under the scheme to be will present a range Built Environment Department at of topics crucial to signed up for TrustMark accreditation. the University of New South Wales CIOB ‘optimistic’ construction quality Australia is developing a digital twin The CIOB has also commented that it about Green reform. A live Q&A of an excavator, enabling improved is vital for TrustMark to be adequately will follow. diagnostics and analytics. Homes Grant resourced if it is to ensure that all firms Staying up to Of all the emerging technologies date has never been participating in the scheme meet the shaping the future of construction the TUTTLE DESCRIBES NEW more important. ‘digital twin’ is predicted by experts standards required. RETROFITTING SCHEME AS The industry is to shake up the entire construction ‘AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOOD’ Eddie Tuttle, director of public policy, being reshaped by industry faster than even before. research and public affairs at CIOB, was legislation including “A digital twin is a digital replica The CIOB has said it is “optimistic” optimistic in his overall view: “There the new Building of a physical entity utilising internet Safety Bill. There is a about the government’s Green Homes is an opportunity here to do good in of things – enabling two-way once-in-a-generation communications between them,” Grant programme, which launched at the short term and in the longer term opportunity to says Dr Sepasgozar. the end of September. The new scheme – we at the CIOB would like to see the change the culture “At the strategic level, the digital aims to encourage homeowners to Green Homes Grant as one part of an of quality in our twin is a new game-changing industry. retrofit their homes to make them more ambitious, long-term national retrofit approach to construction automation. This event will The idea is that for every physical environmentally friendly. strategy. As well as helping to drive explore what item in the world, there could be a The grant will help fund 600,000 towards greener homes and energy the future might virtual replica with which it connects, hold for the built homeowners in England – via a £2bn efficiency, this would provide a clear and housed in the cloud, collecting environment, vital data on the physical item’s pot – to install insulation, heat pumps, much-needed boost for the construction construction quality performance in real time.” draught-proofing and other measures industry and the provide some of the and our homes and He explains: “Industry players places of work. to help households to cut energy bills. certainty that businesses need to create might confuse this with building To book your The government will fund up stable, green jobs this year and beyond. information modelling (BIM). But place visit https:// to two-thirds of the cost of home “We are pleased that the government unlike this previous technology, the events.ciob.org/ digital twin also enables users to improvements up to £5,000. Those has recognised concerns about ehome/200212525. control equipment, so, it enables homeowners with low incomes, the possibilities of poor-quality job-site tasks to be performed including those on certain benefits, are workmanship and rogue traders and remotely, which is useful for working eligible for a grant covering up to 100% has sent a clear signal with the need for through disruptions like covid-19.” of the cost of works up to £10,000. TrustMark accreditation.” ●
Webinar The CIOB Midlands is hosting 25% of total project costs dealing development manager Stuart Ryder, a webinar with the Get it Right with the consequences of avoidable who has a keen focus on enhancing Midlands quality Initiative (GIRI) and Viewpoint error. Barton believes the initiative is efficiency around project data and lunchtime session focusing on Reducing Errors and a real opportunity for the industry to communication management. He Improving Quality. improve productivity and reputation. will discuss how technology can be GET IT RIGHT INITIATIVE AND The hour-long lunchtime session The webinar will look at how harnessed to reduce error. VIEWPOINT EVENT FOCUSES on 2 December will start with changing cultures across a business The session will include regional an overview from Tom Barton, right from the start can reduce case studies and an opportunity ON REDUCING ERRORS executive director of GIRI. avoidable error and project costs. to quiz the panel. GIRI research suggests the Also speaking is Viewpoint For more information contact industry spends between 15% and construction software business Sonia Short: [email protected].
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Professional review Heather Jones, strategic lead 3C “Volunteering to carry out PR reviews building standards, Partnership of for candidates who wish to become a PR champions help Cambridge City, Huntingdon DC and Chartered Member has placed me South Cambs DC in a position to be able to return the new MCIOB cohort “I volunteered to be part of the PR favour to others who share the same process as I wanted to give something ambitions.” CIOB VOLUNTEERS REVIEWED 30 APPLICATIONS back to both the CIOB – having BETWEEN THEM. SO WHAT MADE THEM DO IT? been a member of many years and Paul Mansell, managing director at participated in local hubs in England Broseley Projects (mentor for the and Wales – and also to the industry. CQI), consulting general manager “I firmly believe the CIOB is at Haywood and Jackson supportive of its membership and it “For many years when I was working is a two-way process. It is also very to become MCIOB my experience rewarding when you receive feedback of attempting to get the correct and thanks from the candidate when information was difficult to say the least. they have achieved their professional “I contacted several organisations to membership.” solicit help and guidance but all wanted to charge for their time which was very Gary Berns senior surveyor, expensive, so I took the task on myself The CIOB Midlands & Eastern team saw From left: Heather Kier Living, Central Region and managed to contact the right a big increase in members applying for Jones, Paul Mansell “Being a PR champion has provided people within the CIOB. I completed the professional review since lockdown and and Gary Berns me with the tools to give back to the application and was awarded MCIOB. has been grateful for the PR champions construction industry through the “I promised myself if I could help any who helped review applications. CIOB. I have been fortunate through- future applicants to become MCIOB John Hodgins FCIOB, Paul E Mansell out my career in construction to I would do all in my power to do so. MCIOB, Paul Hurst MCIOB, Heather have worked amongst other willing This is why I became a PR champion – it Jones FCIOB, Gary Berns MCIOB, Paul individuals that have been able to help brings me great satisfaction to see the Vega FCIOB and Matthew Clarke MCIOB me fulfil my aspirations both with the applications I have reviewed and the reviewed over 30 reports in five months. CIOB and RICS. applicants become MCIOB.” ●
Construction Isle of Man, a new adding how pleased the new health and safety standards. representative body for the Isle body is to have her as CEO. All key construction trades and of Man’s construction industry, “Her breadth of experience professions are represented has appointed Corelli Bentham as in construction, both in the field on the board and we will work chief executive officer. and in education, should help collaboratively for the benefit Bentham is a chartered focus Construction Isle of Man in of the whole industry to give quantity surveyor with over 30 its formation and assist with the the industry the positive years’ experience working in the promotion and development of exposure it deserves.” construction sector in the Isle the industry,” he said. Construction Isle of Man is of Man, UK, Hong Kong and China, Bentham said she is thrilled a public-private partnership and was previously head of with her new position. jointly funded by Business Isle construction at University “This is a challenging role. My of Man, within the Department for Appointment College Isle of Man (UCM). emphasis will be on improving Enterprise, and industry for its The CIOB has worked with the image of construction and first three years of operation. New boss for Bentham and the college for many developing strong communication It combines the years and the Isle of Man falls with government to make Construction Federation, Isle of Man body under the Liverpool Hub. informed decisions,” she said. Construction Forum, Chamber of Brian Butler, chair of “The formation of Construction Commerce Construction Sector, Construction Isle of Man, called Isle of Man will benefit both the and Think Construction into a CORELLI BENTHAM IS CEO OF Bentham “the right leader for the industry and the general public single point of contact CONSTRUCTION ISLE OF MAN newly formed industry body”, by raising quality assurance and for industry and the public.
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Profile Business Gausden celebrates her Pandemic startup golden career anniversary appointed to Kent CHRISTINE GAUSDEN RD, A CIOB FELLOW AND zero-carbon A TWO-TERM CIOB TRUSTEE, IS CELEBRATING housing scheme 50 YEARS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONSULTANCY TO WORK ON PROJECT ETOPIA HOMES refurbishments, whilst needing to retain an operational environment,” she says. “The most A consultancy practice set up by a “My most enjoyable project was satisfying CIOB member during the height of the delivery of the Selfridges Oxford projects, for the covid-19 pandemic has been appointed by Project Etopia for a Street masterplan, over a three-year me, were housing scheme in Kent. time frame, including new shop fronts, those which Project Etopia is the first new escalators and new floors, all whilst were most housebuilder to reach carbon neutral allowing this iconic store to remain open challenging status through its pledge to the UN Climate Neutral NOW Initiative and and completely operational.” logistically” partnering with One Carbon World. Gausden recently has used her Christine Gausden, The Kent scheme will deliver 50 A multi-skilled project manager with experience in the role of an academic CIOB Trustee zero-carbon residential homes in international experience, Christine and mentor to young people. As well as Eastry, just outside Sandwich and Gausden has been responsible for the being a CIOB Trustee, she sits on the UK close to Canterbury. Kent Construction Consultants delivery of projects for prestigious BIM Alliance Communities Leadership is a multidisciplinary practice public and private clients. Team and is chair of BIM4FM. delivering quantity surveying, And as an academic, she has special- She became a CIOB member in 1981, project management and ised in project, construction, risk and becoming the second female fellow of construction management services throughout the south east. facilities management. She is research the CIOB in 1995, and chaired the first The consultancy was founded by active in BIM4FM, best practice, collab- CIOB Women in Building committee. Charles Kenward MCIOB (pictured), orative working and employability. “I first volunteered with CIOB on who has a 15-year commercial “From childhood, my inspirations the Building Matters tour. This was background in quantity surveying and were a combination of architecture and a an actual roadshow, in an especially has delivered complex schemes for clients such as Sir Richard Branson long-standing love of technical drawing, adapted Routemaster bus,” she explains. on Necker Island, as well as strategic which I taught myself. I did have “I spent time talking to students and developments for organisations and ambitions to train as an architect, but schoolchildren, trying to persuade them trusts such as Buckland Hospital and these were thwarted by the prevailing as to the various perspectives of a career Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Kenward has secured several key view at the time this career choice would in the built environment.” residential and commercial clients be a waste of time for a girl,” she says. Gausden, who has crossed the Sahara as since establishing the independent “I simply could not accept this, and any a competitor in the Marathon des Sables, practice in the coastal town of barriers served to further motivate me. is constantly seeking fresh challenges. Westgate-on-Sea. I found a role as an architectural tech- “I am presently seeking to further “As residential demand increases throughout the UK, we are extremely nician, rapidly acquiring qualifications research and engage in projects looking excited to be partnering with the on the way.” Gausden passed the RICS at best practice and standards in global sustainable housebuilder professional exams in building surveying industry, primarily from the perspective who think beyond normal and the CIOB professional exams and of the wider social impact of the built construction methods to actually optimising how energy, construction what followed was a varied career as a environment,” she says. “I have achieved and intelligent technologies can be project manager in the built environment. 50 years of work experience to date and integrated to ensure the end product “The most satisfying projects, for me, still have much to offer. I am looking is not only modern today, but for were those which were most challenging forward to new opportunities and new years to come,” he said. logistically – the undertaking of major projects to explore.” ●
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As the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. Our members work worldwide in the development, conservation and improvement of the built environment.
At the CIOB, we work with companies and consultancies of all sizes, across the full range of the built environment, to form and maintain the reputation of our industry, to influence and change policy for the better and to bridge the academic world with that of day-to-day construction practice.
Together we can deliver professional excellence and drive up standards and professional ethics in construction, find out how today.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
www.ciob.org
52_53.CMNov20.communityad.indd 52 19/10/2020 15:50 BRINGING VALUE TO EMPLOYERS IN CONSTRUCTION
As the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership. Our members work worldwide in the development, conservation and improvement of the built environment.
At the CIOB, we work with companies and consultancies of all sizes, across the full range of the built environment, to form and maintain the reputation of our industry, to influence and change policy for the better and to bridge the academic world with that of day-to-day construction practice.
Together we can deliver professional excellence and drive up standards and professional ethics in construction, find out how today.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
www.ciob.org
52_53.CMNov20.communityad.indd 53 19/10/2020 15:50 CIOB COMMUNITY constructionmanagermagazine.com
Heritage Greendale works on priory conservation CIOB CHARTERED BUILDER UNDERTAKES PROJECT TO PRESERVE WALLS OF HISTORIC CHRISTCHURCH PRIORY IN DORSET
Work on an historic church by a From left: Columba CIOB Chartered Builder was nearing Cook (architect), Greg Norman (site completion as Construction Manager manager), Rob went to press. Hooker (Greendale In July Greendale Construction’s director) and Gareth small works division was awarded the Pritchard (BCP Council) contract to repair, rebuild, stabilise and refurbish a number of walls around the historic Christchurch Priory, with work due to complete by the end of October. Dating back to 1094, the Dorset priory was first constructed as a Norman church on the site of an old Saxon priory. The stone and brick walls cover a wide area around the priory and quay, and the contract included rebuilding works adjacent to the mill stream. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council worked with architect Columba Cook and the council’s senior conservation officer to ensure all Greendale director Rob Hooker said: works were carried out within ancient “We are very pleased to be the main “The works will save these walls monument guidelines. contractor on this wonderful historic for future generations to enjoy, Greendale removed vegetation and project in a beautiful location. The works and we look forward to working tree growth, and dismantled cappings will save these walls for future generations with the team to achieve a for a careful rebuild using like-for-like to enjoy, and we look forward to working successful handover” materials. Shoring and underpinning with the team to achieve a successful Rob Hooker, Greendale Construction was used when necessary. handover at the end of October.” ●
Marketing The CIOB marketing team scooped the top prize recently at the Memcom Winning ways 2020 Awards. It picked up Team of the Year (Membership Organisation) in the CIOB TAKES PRIZE AT People and Organisation categories, MEMCOM 2020 AWARDS seeing off some high-profile competition such as the CIPD, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Members of the CIOB’s marketing Royal College of Physicians and the team scooped Team of the Year Royal Society of Chemistry.
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V-South East Construction Expo Alex Pimley MCIOB Diary dates 18-19 November, 9am-2.30pm The CIOB will be taking part in the annual Meet a member HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CIOB South East Construction Expo, which CALENDAR FOR THE COMING this year has been replaced with a virtual ALEX PIMLEY, DIRECTOR, conference bringing together clients, THE CONSTRUCTION MONTH. ALL EVENTS ARE contractors, developers, consultants and ONLINE WEBINARS UNLESS other related industries across the UK. CONSULTANTS OTHERWISE STATED Using the latest technology, the expo will give a unique networking and learning environment with great content, live Q&A and expert speakers. What made you choose construction? Everything You Wanted to Know About Interactive areas will allow you to What else would you have done? Construction Disputes, But Were Too connect and engage, and to tailor your day CIOB I started out in retail but realised it was Afraid to Ask according to your interests. You will be not the long-term career for me. I have 10 November, 6-7pm, London able to move in and out of rooms just as at WELCOMES always been interested in buildings Join three legal and construction experts an in-person event and enjoy informative TRUSTEE and knew how important they were as they look at what is important in the speakers, network and book onto one of Keith Blizzard, to all of us, given the amount of time resolution of disputes during the the Meet the Buyer sessions. chartered quantity we all spend in them! I did a second covid-19 crisis. To find out more and book a free place, surveyor and non- degree at the University of Reading l How have the courts responded and please visit: www.constructionexpouk. solicitor partner and got my first job at Rider Levett what options are open to you for dispute co.uk/virtual-construction-expo. at Harrison Clark Bucknall in the building surveying resolution? Rickerby, has been department before moving to Sydney l Why might you go to court when other BREEAM chosen as a trustee for a few years where I worked for options are available? 26 November, 5.45pm-7pm, Hampshire for the CIOB. He joins Knight Frank and DTZ as a project l How do solicitors and barristers help? Guest speaker Abby Bartlett, associate 15 others on the manager. I would have probably ended l What do you need to know if you have to (sustainability) at Ridge and Partners, board, responsible up following my brother into insurance ‘go legal’ and what can you do to minimise will provide a summary of the BREEAM for setting policy and if I didn’t go into construction. the cost and risks should you find yourself methodology, explaining how it improves raising standards What do you love about your job? dealing with delay, disruption or a claim on the overall sustainability of schemes with in the construction Every day is different. You meet a lot a construction project? local case studies with the emphasis industry. of people and it’s a job that forces you Speakers will include Edward Carolan on the importance of sustainability in Blizzard (pictured) to constantly develop and improve. It’s of Lindford Consulting, Sam Bawden of construction. brings a wide Holmes & Hills, and Carlo Taczalski of Please note this a live webinar and range of skills a career that also rewards you if you Crown Office Chambers. there will be an opportunity at the end and experience work hard. Contact: [email protected] of the session for Q&As. to his role. He is What would you like to change Contact: [email protected] also a chartered about the industry? Autism & Neurodiversity in the construction Professional bodies such as the CIOB Construction Sector Webinar Building Climate Resilience – a Look at manager, arbitrator, have done a lot to improve people’s 12 November, 1-2pm, Sheffield Sheffield’s Flood Defence Programme panel adjudicator, perception of the industry but we all This session will increase awareness 26 November, 12-1pm, Sheffield and teaches still have a way to go. We need greater of autism and neurodiversity among Join specialists from Environment Agency construction law at diversity and improved gender mix at construction businesses. and Sheffield City Council to look at how several universities. all levels and more support for potential Leaders in construction are already built and nature-based defences are being “I am very employees that don’t go through the managing autism in the workplace and on used in South Yorkshire to address the honoured to be usual university route. I struggled site. Understanding how to get the most risks of flooding. appointed to an getting into the big companies via the out of neurodiverse staff, and tapping into Sheffield, the city of seven hills, has organisation that graduate training schemes and a lot of their talents is in the interest of companies been impacted by flooding many times over represents the best really talented people are daunted by and the industry as a whole. the years. Addressing flood risk is crucial to in construction them as they cater towards a particular From this webinar you will: its future, under increasing influence from management type of graduate. We need a big push l Understand the potential benefits climate change. worldwide,” says on the vocational routes in my opinion. of being an autism/neurodiversity The session will showcase a partnership Blizzard, who will understanding business in the approach to delivering solutions in the city. serve for three What do you do with your spare time? construction sector. Key learnings will be the role of a holistic years, and has been I try to spend as much time as possible l Start to recognise autism and and integrated built and nature-based appointed as a with my son Arthur and wife Emma neurodiversity in the workplace and on site. approach and how this can be developed. trustee champion for while desperately trying to beat my l Understand which services are available Contact: [email protected] Asia, including China, father in-law at golf… We love the to construction employers to improve their Hong Kong, Singapore outdoors so try and spend as much knowledge of autism at work, and how to For more information, to register and find and Malaysia. time enjoying it as possible. access these services. more events, visit the CIOB website: ciob.org.
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Wates worked closely with architect Burke Richards and engineering consultant Hoare Lee to meet this “Regenerating leisure target, with rainwater collected, stored hubs like this is essential and redirected to flush waste systems, to supporting healthy, LED lighting used throughout, and sustainable communities” extra insulation deployed to reduce Alex Jackman, Wates Construction heating requirements. A collaborative culture was established from the very beginning between all partners, He added: “We are currently particularly with regard to the complex working on several Scape projects building services needed for plumbing across the country, and we hope this and heating a large leisure build. project will be held up as an example Community engagement was sought of how supportive this procurement at every opportunity and, as well as framework can be. By working in close investing £13,000 into supporting social partnership with the council, our enterprises, tree planting and gardening delivery partners, a local supply chain events, several initiatives to educate and the wider community, we could and inspire were delivered. overcome any obstacles easily, and I’d The project team arranged several site like to thank everyone who worked on Me and my project visits, networking events and assemblies this landmark project and made it such for local schools as well as 13 work a success.” Leisure time experience placements for students. Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief Through Wates’ Building Futures executive, said: “The last six months WATES CONSTRUCTION programme, 17 jobseekers passed their have created challenges that would DELIVERED A LANDMARK CSCS test, with one employed as a have made it easy for a project as CARBON-NEUTRAL LEISURE gateman since November 2018. ambitious as this to lose sight of its CENTRE AT BRAYWICK PARK Work started on the project in July sustainability goals. However, it is to 2018 and it was officially handed over as the immense credit of Wates and the National contractor Wates Construction Above: LED lighting scheduled in September 2020, despite council that they have gone above and has completed works at Braywick has been used challenges posed by covid-19. beyond to ensure that this investment Leisure Centre, a major leisure and throughout the Alec Jackman, business unit director will maximise its impact across the local building’s interior community hub for Windsor and for the southern home counties at Wates community in terms of physical, social Below: The complex Maidenhead Council, marking the first £33m facility Construction, said: “Regenerating leisure and environmental health. project delivered for Wates via the Major uses 70% less hubs like this is essential to supporting “Sustainability is becoming more Works – UK framework, part of the Scape energy than its healthy, sustainable communities, and important than ever for projects National Construction framework. predecessor every part of the Braywick Park site has delivered by local authorities, and it is The £33m facility at Braywick Park been designed with the people who’ll be our intention that our frameworks will was built to replace the ageing Magnet using it in mind. continue to accelerate their delivery Leisure Centre, and features a 10-lane while becoming carbon-neutral as swimming pool, training and splash standard by 2028.” pools, a 200-station gym, four squash Braywick is the latest completion for courts, sports hall, cafe, all-weather Wates in the leisure sector, with other football pitch and 240 parking spaces. major projects currently being built Improved sustainability was vital including Sandwell Aquatics Centre and for the council and, as well as being Halton Leisure Centre in Widnes, both delivered as a carbon-neutral project, also procured via Major Works – UK, the centre has been designed to use 70% part of the Scape National Construction less energy than its predecessor. framework. ●
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Partnership
what the bill is about and how it will affect Creating value through the way they work. One work stream is focusing on assessing competences and quality at Sir Robert McAlpine upskilling people. Another group is looking to put in place the digital system QUALITY IS NOT AN ADD-ON – IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF necessary to capture the golden thread of THE COMPANY’S CULTURE, BOTH ON SITE AND BEYOND information required by the bill, providing a solid, reliable audit trail to every action. The company’s collaboration with the The theme of this year’s World Quality every request by sourcing easier solutions CIOB supports the process, as Simon Day is about creating customer value, “Our Training also helped gain the trust of all involved. Neal, regional quality manager, explains: something the project teams at Sir Partnership Brady has created an open environment “Our Training Partnership with the CIOB Robert McAlpine are constantly with the CIOB where ideas are encouraged. provides us with a unique advantage as focusing on, as Paul Heather, managing provides us Creating value is also about going the we prepare for the Building Safety Bill. director for London, explains. with a unique extra mile. “We want our clients to feel We’re increasing the number of members “Quality is amongst our pillars of advantage as confident when they appoint us to do a year on year through our professional excellence for successful project delivery,” we prepare for project,” stresses Nicola Markall, head development programme; the return he says. “The drive to consistently provide the Building of technical compliance. is that we have a growing community the very best end product is an ongoing Safety Bill” Markall has contributed her expertise of professionally qualified people who journey as we are continuously seeking Simon Neal, to the Building Safety Bill Consultation, have met the competencies set by the new and innovative ways in which we can regional quality which is set to change the way we record CIOB and are committed to driving add value for all of our clients. Quality manager information and how we control quality. improvements across the industry.” will always be an integral part of our “We recognise that there is a lot of work In its recommendations, the company culture at Sir Robert McAlpine.” to do,” she says, “but even though it proposed that the Building Safety Bill Sammy Brady is a quality manager hasn’t become legislation yet, we want applies not just to high-risk buildings, with a passion for instilling a positive to become early adopters, because it is but to all buildings. After all, it makes quality culture where everything is Sir Robert McAlpine the right thing to do.” good business sense to have in place is working on the transparent, and everyone is engaged 21 Moorfields project Her role is dedicated to making sure a system that facilitates excellence in and willing to give their best. She works in the City of London everyone in the company understands project delivery, without defects. ● on site at 21 Moorfields, a very technically complex project that will see the future London headquarters of Deutsche Bank stand right above Moorgate station. “I don’t ever want quality to be a frus- tration for people,” she says. “So it’s about bringing it to the forefront of everyone’s mind, and weaving quality in everything they do without them even realising it.” Brady worked closely with the client from the start to understand their requirements. It prompted her to review Sir Robert McAlpine’s quality management processes to see which could be adapted to really push the boundaries and deliver value. Using digital technology to streamline the way information is shared has been a key element. Understanding everyone’s needs across site and acknowledging
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Rules of disengagement
As furlough ends, redundancies may be inevitable. Trevor Drury Training & Recruitment clarifies the rules around the issue
No two days are ever the same. One morning Companies in the construction sector will have benefited from Job spotlight I can be drafting reports, followed by an Charlotte Claughton Senior project leader, the government’s furlough afternoon spent on the scaffolding with our project delivery, In-House Services scheme. That scheme ended and Estates, UK Parliament skilled contractors, presenting papers to the in October, and although Commons Finance Committee, coordinating the chancellor has announced the new Job Support Scheme, this is not as generous access for ceremonial events with the Keeper of as the furlough scheme. the Great Clock, scrutinising change requests Employers with reduced turnover, less PARLIAMENTARY THE WEEK IN or hosting knowledge sharing workshops. The cash and lower or negative profits will life of a senior project leader is never quiet, inevitably have some difficult decisions to QUESTIONS nor dull! make with regard to redundancies. WESTMINSTER An employee is entitled to, as a minimum, statutory redundancy, as set out in the CHARLOTTE CLAUGHTON ON Does working in Parliament require any Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996), WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK ON THE specific skill sets or training? although an employee’s contract of REFURBISHMENT OF ONE OF THE I initially studied architecture and stumbled into employment may provide a more generous redundancy payment. To be eligible for WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS: project management completely by accident. THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT statutory redundancy, an employee must have However, as client-side project managers, my two years’ continuous service. colleagues in the project delivery team have Employees dismissed due to redundancy broad and varied backgrounds from mining have the right to a redundancy payment engineers to quantity surveyors, systems based on their length of service, age and pay up to a statutory maximum. Many employees specialists and building surveyors. Some are on furlough have recently received less pay newly qualified; others have years of experience. than their normal wages but legislation was The thing that unites us is an appreciation brought in, effective from 31 July 2020, to of our roles as custodians of the Palace of ensure that redundancy pay is based on an employee’s normal wages. This also applies Westminster and its incredible heritage. to the statutory notice pay, where notice must be given of between one and 12 weeks What are the most challenging and depending on length of service. rewarding aspects of your work? Dismissal on the grounds of redundancy Parliament has a vast and complex network may also give rise to potential wrongful dismissal and/or unfair dismissal if the of stakeholders, each with their own unique employer fails to provide: and occasionally conflicting needs. Balancing l proper notice; these can be a challenge. But it’s all worth l consultation; it, because I get to work on one of the most l a fair basis for selection; l consideration of alternative employment; and iconic buildings in the world. What better job l a process for the employee to appeal. could there possibly be? I’m surrounded by A case of wrongful or unfair dismissal could an incredible team, who are as proud as I am. be referred to the employment tribunal. Over the next few months, we’ll be removing If dismissed on grounds of redundancy, more of the scaffolding and I cannot wait for the employer must give the employee a written statement of how the redundancy everyone to see Big Ben again. ●
MARK DUFFY MARK payment is calculated. If there is a dispute over the right to receive What is a typical day in your job? payment or the amount, an employee can Before coronavirus changed how we work, refer the dispute to the employment tribunal. Where an employer is legally insolvent and a usual day would involve arriving into payment has not been made, application can Westminster around 8am. The project team be made to the Redundancy Payment Office. always beat me to our office, which is located It is hoped that the chancellor’s on the Northern Estate of Parliament. The team interventions will protect many of the jobs administrating the refurbishment of Elizabeth that may otherwise be at risk. Trevor Drury is a barrister at 12 Old Square Tower is primarily formed of architects, cost Hundreds of the best jobs in construction. Chambers and specialises in construction consultants, building services and structural Recruitment news and insight. law and employment. engineers, and project managers. www.constructionmanagerjobs.co.uk
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