The £28.5M University of Manchester Cancer Research Building, completed in Spring 2015, provides some 6,000m2 of space to accommodate cancer research activities. The design aims to promote the interaction between the different research groups whilst sharing common resources and equipment. The building design was subject to a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Assessment and is targeting an ‘Excellent’ rating. With regards building design a variety of measures encouraging sustainable development were incorporated into the building such as:- • Embracement of natural ventilation principles (85% of the offices and 25% of the open plan office accommodation will be naturally ventilated) • Central lightwell to allow daylight to penetrate through the building to reduce the amount of artificial lighting required during daylight hours. The lightwell roof glazing was orientated to minimise unwanted solar gain to help reduce cooling costs. • Walls, floors, windows and roof were designed to improve on Building Regulations thermal performance requirements by 40% and air tightness requirements by 50%. These improvements contribute to reduce energy consumption by limiting heat loss through the building fabric. • Attenuated surface water drainage (storage that holds surface water and feeds it into the drainage system gradually) was incorporated to reduce the risk of flooding by more effectively managing surface water run-off. • Rainwater harvesting system to receive rainwater run-off from roof areas and thereafter supply the recycled water to the lavatories within the building. This process should supply around one-third of the water needed for flushing every year. • Recycling waste points strategically located on each floor of the building within the office and write-up areas. An external store for recycling and general waste was also provided within the service compound at the rear of the building. The following images show the building nearing the latter stages of construction. Ross Quality Control provided Building Fabric Clerk of Works and Mechanical Engineering Clerk of Works Services throughout this project including the undertaking of rigorous inspections, witnessing, testing and commissioning of the Works. MANCHESTER CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE PROJECT: Manchester Cancer Research Centre LOCATION: Manchester CLIENT: University of Manchester ARCHITECT: Wilson Mason LLP MAIN CONTRACTOR: M + W UK

The £5M Abernethy Primary School Development comprised demolition and refurbishment works within an existing school building together with the construction of a new build extension including the reconfiguration of existing teaching areas to accommodate maximum class sizes and the provision of new nursery and primary teaching facilities, support accommodation, external sports pitch and multi-use games area. The Works were to be completed and handed over in time for start of the new school year. Should the Works have been delayed past the start of the new school year then Perth & Kinross Council would have been required to provide alternative teaching accommodation. This situation was not in the best interests of Perth & Kinross Council, the School or the local community and so it was vital that the School was completed in time for the new school year. Various key challenges were identified and overcome during the Project including:-  

• The School was to remain active during the Works. Therefore, safety of the teaching staff, pupils and parents was paramount. Traffic / pedestrian management systems were put in place to ensure safe access and egress from the School with clear routes of transport delineated between site traffic and public access routes.

 

• Maintaining site security was also important in order to protect against unwarranted site access from school children / others during the Works.

 

• Special consideration was given to when it was appropriate for the Clerk of Works to take site photographs. It was decided that photographs could not be taken if there was a risk of minors being present.

• The Works were phased in such a way that staff and pupils were to be decanted to temporary teaching accommodation located within the school playing field whilst the Works were undertaken to the existing school building. Consequently, the Contractor could not commence works to the sports pitch, multi-use games area or certain external works until the School had decanted from its temporary teaching accommodation into its new permanent home which put additional strain on the demanding construction programme.

Ross Quality Control provided Building Fabric Clerk of Works and M&E Clerk of Works Services throughout this project including the undertaking of rigorous inspections, witnessing, testing and commissioning of the Works. ABERNETHY PRIMARY SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: Abernethy Primary School Development LOCATION: Perth CLIENT: Perth & Kinross Council MAIN CONTRACTOR: Morrison Construction

The £75M Robert Gordon University Garthdee Development Phase 1A Works comprised some 25,000m2 of new build premises including a new learning resource centre; specialist teaching facilities; general teaching facilities; lecture theatres; staff accommodation; refectory; social spaces and external works. The building design philosophy was to form two wings running west to east over 5 / 6 storeys with a central atrium space. At the west end of the new build stands the 9 storey library tower whilst the teaching drum stands at the east end. Moreover, the building was also linked to the existing Faculty of Health and Social Work Building at level 2 and provided two new car parking areas and service / fire access roads to the north and south. The site was located immediately north of the River Dee. Therefore, a sensitive approach to the surrounding environment was required and special consideration was given to environmental factors. Ross Quality Control provided Building Fabric Clerk of Works and M&E Clerk of Works Services throughout this project including the undertaking of rigorous inspections, witnessing, testing and commissioning of the Works. ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY GARHDEE CAMPUS PHASE 1A PROJECT: Robert Gordon University – Garthdee Campus Phase 1A LOCATION: Aberdeen CLIENT: Gardiner & Theobald MAIN CONTRACTOR: Miller Construction