Residential Over 10 Storeys

GOLD

Patrick Phillips MCIOB Durkan

Project: Atkins House/Benjamin House/Concert House/Orchestra House, Ilford Scope: Construction of 354 homes in four blocks including a 24-storey tower, completed in 133 weeks Clients: Durkan Estates, Southern Housing Group, M&G Contract: D&B Value: £67m

This former music building

redevelopment was a tough logistical challenge for Patrick Phillips, being located on a large brownfield site in a densely populated area, bordered by the North Circular road and with only one access route.

During groundworks, two wells were discovered under the building footprint, but Phillips redesigned the piling works, creating a larger pile cap to safely bridge the well gaps.

For the superstructure, he analysed different methodology options, before switching from traditional crane-assisted construction for the core walls to slipform concrete. This resulted in substantial cost and time savings by slashing the crane presence on site, with the 23 storeys of the tower’s core built in just 30 days.

Another machinery innovation was the use of mast climbing work platforms instead of scaffolding. Easier to erect and dismantle, they brought significant gains in productivity, speed and efficiency. On an overhang on the 23rd floor, where the mast climbers couldn’t reach, Phillips hung the scaffold for the cladding installation off that top storey.

To simplify facade maintenance as well as construction, he rationalised the balcony design, eliminating unnecessary variations to exploit offsite manufacturing, and fitting the balcony cladding at ground level.

Phillips completed the 354-home scheme on time and on budget. He even handed over two of the four blocks months ahead of schedule.

Alistair MacPartlin MCIOB JJ Rhatigan Building Contractors

Project: No.26, Dingwall Road, Croydon Scope: Redevelopment of 16-storey office block as 183-unit residential tower with six-storey extension, completed in 122 weeks Client: HSBC Pension Trust Contract: JCT D&B 2011 Value: £36m

Alistair MacPartlin ensured issues

did not turn into major problems on this scheme to remodel an office block as a residential tower by adding six storeys of new steel to an existing concrete frame. He fostered honest and transparent dialogue, and provided solutions to client problems, taking a positive approach even in the direst of situations. Following completion of this scheme, the client has asked him to lead another project.

Other finalists

Brendan Conway MCIOB

McAleer and Rushe, Horizon Heights, Liverpool

Caroline Heraghty MCIOB

Ardmore Construction, Bowery Building/ Smyth Building, London SW15

Terry Kirby MCIOB

Berkeley Homes, Birch House, London SE3

Anthony Mitchell MCIOB

ISG Construction, LIV Student, Sheffield

Gerald Ward MCIOB

Bennett Construction, Mansbridge House (Block A), Battersea Exchange, London SW8

SILVER

GARY BRITTON