We provided consultancy services across multiple disciplines for this scheme to convert an existing government office building to provide 84 new residential units in a sought after area. We were appointed as employer’s
agent/project manager to manage the entire scheme from concept to completion, as well as forming the design team which included our in-house architects, building services engineers, quantity surveyors and building surveyors as well as external sub-consultants.
Our design involvement began with a review of the existing permitted development plans for the scheme to provide 77 units that had been agreed with the planning department. We provided a RIBA Stage 3 report to explain our findings and items which were proposed for review and redesign to allow further expansion.
The client requested to include a single storey roof addition mid-way through the design phase. This was successfully integrated through a robust change control process which included early planning, engagement, the prompt mobilisation of additional resource and associate viability studies to ensure full design team coordination and programme continuity.
The final design proposal included a mixture of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats. With the interior design team we created archetypes for the different units to ensure consistency in fixtures and fittings throughout, incorporating a joinery wall feature in each of the apartments that the scheme’s design was based around.
Upon contract commencement we provided a full suite of employer’s agent services including chairing monthly progress meetings and visiting site on a weekly basis, providing subsequent site visit reporting.
One of the largest challenges faced during the project was the COVID-19 pandemic, which struck whilst the project was on-site. To manage the effects of the pandemic effectively, we led the project team collaboratively. Through working closely with the contractor and client team, promoting a flexible and agile approach, we were able to minimise the delay to the construction programme.