FORMA LONDON
REDEFINING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
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FORMA LONDON
I PROFILE
Sustainability is at the heart of Forma London, a specialist fit-out and refurbishment contractor. “We plan to continue to learn about the best ways of tackling the issue of sustainable construction,” explained Paul Delahunty, company co-founder and Chairman, in an interview with Romana Moares.
F
orma London was founded in 2014 by two young enthusiasts with a clear aim – to simplify the overall client
journey. “We believed we could bring some innovative methods to the notoriously conservative construction sector, to make the process more standardised, more systematic and, ultimately, quicker,” said co-founder and Chairman Paul Delahunty, when asked what the main trigger was for setting up the business. He reflected that the process had been a learning curve, marked by several milestones (the completion of a project valued at over £500K, quickly followed by others of over £1 million were big moments for the business) and proof that what Forma was trying to do, and believed in as a business, was resonating with clients.
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What further pushed the business forward
can be daunting for clients, who may be
was the implementation of a Business
unaware of current building regulations
Management System that streamlines work-
and the options available: “What we offer
flow and ensures that all the site teams (as
is a complete end-to-end service.
well as office teams) work from the same
“We support the client throughout the
standard templates and follow the same
process, so at no point are they without
protocols. “Achieving Constructionline and
our assistance in understanding what their
CHAS accreditation were also hugely impor-
options are, what the financial implications
tant milestones as they have given us the
of any decision are, and what the best
opportunity to expand our client base,”
course of action is.
added Mr Delahunty.
“We use several simplified reporting doc-
Forma’s relatively small size is one of
uments for all projects to ensure our team
its advantages. “We can react quickly to
knows the process fully and that every
changes,” he said, “and implement new
report issued to a client is simple and very
ideas or methods of construction faster
clear, yet contains all the details required.
than larger competitors, which means we
Clients don't need, or have the time, to find
can be ahead of the curve.”
regulatory information themselves; this is all on our system and readily available.
End-to-end service
We also externally audit our systems
So how exactly does Forma's approach
to ensure our processes are correct.”
simplify the client's journey? Mr Delahunty
He confirmed that sustainability is a
explained that the construction process
huge factor that has significantly shaped
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FORMA LONDON
I PROFILE
the direction and methods of construction
canvas, according to Mr Delahunty: “For
the company uses. “For existing properties,
new builds, the process is about ensuring
both commercial and residential, the pro-
the longevity of the building by delivering
cess will start in the design phase,”
a high-quality, durable product, ensuring
Mr Delahunty explained. “We look at the
that it meets and exceeds the require-
space and conditions and ensure that we
ments for low-energy buildings.
challenge the design to check that we will
“As before, waste material is reduced
be reusing and reforming something first
and recycled as much as possible, and
and foremost, before adding anything new.”
any new material is appropriately sourced.”
The purpose of this initial review is to look objectively at what is in situ and see how
From warehouse to office space
this can be better employed or reused
Over the years, the company has completed
within the new design, as opposed
over 200 projects for a wide range of clients.
to approaching the project as a blank
One particularly stands out, as it very clearly demonstrates Forma’s approach and capability – a project for allplants, a manufacturer of plant-based frozen meals that approached Forma to design and build allplants’ new multi-purpose office space. The client wanted a creative environment for their employees, and one that would fit with their company ethos of taking care of the planet. Forma was excited to work with a brand that fits with its own vision of
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building ethical and sustainable offices and workspaces. “The building was an empty
With the warehouse an empty shell, there were no heating or cooling facilities already in the building. Forma engaged sustainable
20,000 square foot warehouse shell
air movement company Elta Fans for the
in Walthamstow, said Mr Delahunty. “Along
extraction and used a brand new, state-of-
with the proposed office area, allplants
the-art, energy-efficient solution from iXu
wanted space for a recording studio for
for the ventilation system.
photo shoots and online video content,
Mr Delahunty explained that all the
and a trial kitchen or innovation studio
fixtures and fittings were created using
where new products would be tested.
recycled materials and wood offcuts
The project required a quick turnaround of
from the project on site. For the benches
eight weeks, with our team simultaneously
and desks, Forma opted to use materials
overseeing the design and the build.”
from local suppliers and ethical timber
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merchants to show its support for local
allplants’ – as well as Forma’s – integral
businesses, as well as keeping down the
values of sustainability. The added bonus is
cost of transportation and the resulting
that when it’s time for allplants to move to
carbon footprint. Any chairs and seating
a bigger space, all of our hard work can be
that were not made by them were sourced
reused and carry on the journey with them.”
from second-hand suppliers. “The project was delivered on a fast-track
Set for growth
programme, and in alignment with the overall
It goes without saying that Forma's
budget,” he continued. “With the limited time
supply chain and partners are key to the
constraints, we managed to stay true to
success of any project: “All our partners
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are vetted before they are approved and
scratch nearly ten years ago, this feels very
added to our contractors list,” said Mr
rewarding for the founders.
Delahunty. “The questions we ask relate
Mr Delahunty concluded that a finished
to all areas of their business to ensure
project is the most exciting aspect of his
they align with our standards, and we
work: “After initially speaking to a client and
routinely ask them about anything new
understanding what they want to achieve,
that might be a more sustainable alterna-
seeing the outcome is so rewarding.”
n
tive to consider. “In this way, we are always looking and learning about alternatives in the construction industry.” Speaking about upcoming projects, Mr Delahunty revealed that Forma is currently gearing up to commence a new-build project in Leigh-on-Sea to deliver several much-needed new homes: “We are looking at different methods of construction to reduce the amount of concrete needed in the foundations, by potentially using a mix of light gauge steel frame and SIPS timber panelling to provide the structure. Hopefully, this will allow us to utilise a screw pile system that we have used on two recent projects, meaning we will require fewer concrete foundations.” The future looks exciting for Forma London: and given the ever-increasing focus on sustainable practices, the company is set for continued growth. Starting basically from
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