The Challenge:
Throughout the duration of the build the Kier team were tasked to keep the existing Department of Chemistry running at all times without any detriment to the important research taking place, but with every square inch of the site forming part of the construction stage at one stage or another this was easier said than done.
This was further compounded by the new structure being linked into adjacent existing buildings at three different floor levels which included the provision of two new link bridges, one of which spanned over a live UKPN HV substation and a local LV substation that powered the entire Department of Chemistry.
In addition to this the secant piled basement wall was within 2m of the public highway and there were several existing plant and chemical storage areas abutting the site that served the main Department.
The Solution:
A positive relationship with our neighbours at the Department was the key to ensuring successful project delivery. We were quickly able to establish a very close working relationship with their project lead through informal weekly 'look ahead' meetings where we presented our upcoming works, identified any interfaces with existing Department activities and agreed the best way forward that would limit or negate our impact on the research being undertaken.
Sticking to these plans or raising any changes - and proposing solutions quickly and concisely so that they could be disseminated back down to the individual building users - allowed us to build up confidence and good will that we would deliver as promised. When more serious problems inevitably arose this paid dividends in smoothing out otherwise potentially confrontational situations.
The Impact:
By working closely together with the Department we were able to progress our works without causing any appreciable disruption to their day to day function. Even though highly critical services such as nitrogen gas and main power supplies were shut down and switched over, everything was planned out and executed on time so could be factored into the research being carried out.
We were also able to undertake all overtly noisy work outside of exam times, and for the rare instances where something did slip and cause potential nuisance the well-established lines of communication between all parties ensured it was dealt with swiftly.
" This project set a number of challenges for both the design and delivery teams. These included complex and substantial enabling works, relocating a liquid nitrogen bulk storage tank, working on a confined city centre site in a conservation area and, not least, building a heavily serviced complex research laboratory surrounded on three sides by live buildings. There have been practical and logistical difficulties to overcome and overall Kier have performed well. From the start they established an excellent working relationship with stakeholders, being open and collaborative throughout. I would have no hesitation in working with this team on another project. "Joe Ackers Project Leader University of Cambridge, Projects Section, Estate Management
View more projects
Every project we deliver is an opportunity for us to bring our unique thinking to solve problems, innovate and collaborate with our clients and beyond.
Berkeley Green & UTC South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS)
Rising from the ashes of a decommissioned former nuclear site, SGS Berkeley Green, a converted 1940’s engineering hall, and new University Technical College (UTC) are the first educational buildings to be completed on a new ground-breaking GREEN campus, within Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park.
Luton DART
The Luton DART project is a joint venture project between VolkerFitzpatrick and Kier (VFK). This new state-of-the-art guided mass passenger transit system will link the airport terminal building to Luton Airport Parkway station. Due to open in 2021 it will reduce journey time from the terminal to central London to under 30 minutes.
St Julie’s Catholic High School
Building a new school for 1,100 students within the grounds of the original. Abiding by strict environmental regulations and generating a wealth of social value within the local community.
Astrea Academy Sheffield - Secondary School
Construction of a secondary school to create much-needed school places in north east Sheffield
Cheltenham Ladies College, Fitness Centre
The addition of high-class sport and leisure facilities for one of the UK’s most distinguished private schools has created flexible, multi-purpose spaces wrapped around the existing centre. Alongside a new sports hall, activity studios, squash courts and a gym, are additional changing rooms, a MUGA and new car park.
Astrea Academy Sheffield - Primary School
Restoring a listed local landmark to its former glory to create a brand-new school for North East Sheffield.
Gigaclear Fibre Network
Kier has been contracted by Gigaclear Ltd to build a full fibre network to thousands of homes and businesses in the Uttlesford District in Essex as part of Essex County Council’s Superfast Essex Programme.
Stephen Perse Foundation
The design and construction of a new teaching block and first-class sports facilities.
St Mary’s RC Primary School, Malton
Constructing a new annexe as well as a reconfiguration of the existing school in order to ease pressures on pupil oversubscription.
Dixons Sixth Form
Refurbishment and fit-out of a six-storey 19th-century mill building and coach house with a new build sports hall in Bradford for Dixons Academies Trust, maintaining the building’s heritage and ensuring it is suitable for teaching.
Chemistry of Health, University of Cambridge
Providing space for the study of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Aspect Court Refurbishment
£1m refurbishment of levels five and six of Sheffield Hallam University’s Aspect Court building to create space for degree apprenticeship students and an innovation hub
The Springfield Sixth Form Centre, Dewsbury Learning Quarter
Construction of the Springfield Sixth Form Centre, beginning the development of the Dewsbury Learning Quarter for Kirklees College
Residential Home Sprinkler Install
A retrofit installation of a fire sprinkler system into 63 one and two bedroom flats and communal spaces in a residential home at Ragallo Place in Kent.
The David Attenborough Building
Updating an icon, providing pride of place for Charles Darwin’s finds, creating a prominent spot for a fully-fledged Finback whale, and being test abseiled by Sir David Attenborough.
Stowlawn Primary School
Procured through the Scape National Minor Works Framework, this scheme involved the construction of a new primary school provision at the existing Stowlawn Primary School in Bilston, Wolverhampton. Unique to this project was the building’s existing Passivhaus principals and bespoke brickwork façade.
The Sainsbury Laboratory
This major research laboratory reconciles precise scientific requirements with a sensitive approach to its historic site.
Spring Vale Primary School
Procured through the Scape National Minor Works Framework, this extension and remodelling project has increased the School’s capacity whilst improving their Ofsted rating from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’.
University of Essex STEM Centre
Creating a state of the art teaching centre for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Waterside Student Residences
A joint venture with Kier Major Projects for the University of Northampton. The project marked the first time Kier had committed to a large-scale Light Gauge Steel (LGS) frame project and is the largest LGS project to date in the UK.
Sensor City
Creating a ‘Knowledge Quarter’ for Liverpool, a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, delivering a highly adaptable research environment and incubator space for start-ups and SMEs who are developing digital sensor technologies and applications.
Sainsbury Wellcome Centre
A unique, world-class, state of the art neuroscience research institute at University College London.
Slade Green Regeneration
The simultaneous extension and refurbishment of two neighbouring primary schools.
Yr Egin Media and Office Development
Bringing an iconic and sustainable development to the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales, providing 40,000 sq. ft. of accommodation for for Welsh Media company S4C and the University's new media faculty and offices, and achieving a BREEAM Excellent certificate for sustainability.
Ryanair Hangar at Stansted Airport
Designing and constructing a new purpose-built maintenance and training facility.
Falmouth School Sports Pavilion
The design and construction of a sports pavilion, including FA compliant changing facilities, gym, office space and flexible recreation areas. In addition a first floor balcony was incorporated into the design which overlooks the sports pitches.
Cathedral School
Creating a two-form entry primary school within a Grade 1 listed building.
Harris Girls' Academy Bromley
The demolition, refurbishment and three-story new build of a local all-girls school located in South London.
Oakwood High School
New build secondary school developed under the Education Skills and Funding Agency's (ESFA) Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP), providing modern accommodation with increased pupil capacity and facilities for classrooms, in addition to a Learning Resource Centre which integrates with pupil breakout areas.
National Transport Design Centre
The UK – and Coventry as a city - is well-established as a leader in automotive, aerospace, rail and marine design. Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre (NTDC) aims to boost design innovation in the transport sector and bridge the current shortfall in creative skills.
East Suffolk Re-signalling
Working with Network Rail to keep the line between Ipswich and Lowestoft up and running. Replacing the line's Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) system after the frequencies were allocated to the MOD, coming up with a workable solution with the client and ensuring this vital rural connection remained in service.
Don Valley Academy
New build secondary school developed under the ESFA’s Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP), providing modern accommodation with increased pupil capacity for 1,200 pupils and 300 post-16 students.
Cross Keys Homes
An innovative joint venture to provide much needed housing to parts of the East of England.
Caol Joint Primary School Campus
Designing and constructing of a new joint campus school for The Highland Council to incorporate two neighbouring primary schools, Caol Primary School and St Columba's RC Primary School, together with a community facility.
Huntington Community Primary School
Blending traditional and innovative solutions to create a new-build, two-storey, 420-place primary school and 26-place nursery in Chester.
The Grove School
Undertaking a major refurbishment of a former Council building, originally a late Edwardian school, into a new school in Haringey, for 104 students aged 5–19 who have a primary diagnosis of autism.
Tiger Way
Kier Design and Business Services working in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney to deliver mixed-use developments and education schemes to create revenue for further local investment.
Aureus Secondary School
Delivering a new secondary school on the Great Western Park Development in Didcot, ensuring it was completed in time for the start of the new school year, creating extensive outdoor sports facilities as well as a building for 1,200 students and working alongside contractors delivering housing projects.
Sheffield Hallam University Robert Winston Annexe
£1.4m installation of a modular, two-storey extension onto Sheffield Hallam University’s Robert Winston Building, located on SHU’s Collegiate Campus.
The Chase SEN
Converting and regenerating a disused engineering building at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to create striking new modern facilities for disabled students.
Alperton Community School
The build of a new school and demolition works of the old premises, increasing capacity from 750 to 1700 pupils.
Abcam new headquarters
A new global headquarters for life sciences giant, Abcam, at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. This stunning building brings the Abcam team together all under one roof, which will improve efficiency and better serve researchers in accelerating innovation and discovery in the life sciences sector.
Degree Apprenticeship Centre
Revolutionary in its design, the first Degree Apprenticeship Centre on the Warwick University Campus marks a new stage in the University’s teaching programme. The new three-storey 2,400m² innovative development centre provides a bridge from education to industry.
Bartholomew School
Enhancing the estate of an already ‘outstanding’ Ofsted school to provide up-to-date facilities, fit for 21st-century learning.
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
Building a brand new 8 form of entry school situated in Thamesmead in South East London. The new school holds 1,200 pupils and includes teaching spaces, science laboratories, ICT suites, a dance studio, art and music rooms plus a large four court sports hall and hard court play area.
The Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT)
New state-of-the-art research centre, the Innovative Materials, Processing and Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) building, situated on the Swansea University Bay Campus provides future proof, highly specialised laboratories for fundamental and applied research and delivers a high impact, transformative research environment for industry and academia to collaborate in advanced engineering and materials.
Hawthorne Primary and Nursery School
A modern primary school in Bestwood, Nottinghamshire, for an expanding local community that involved pupils throughout the build delivered through the Scape Minor Works Framework by Kier and Arc Partnership
F1 Meter Exchange Programme
Working collaboratively, the IMDS Alliance and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) improved the method of installing water meters. The new process for Anglian Water’s new smart meters saves time on install and saves end-users water and money through faster identification of leaks and more accurate bills.
Swansea IQ and YFforwm Development (SA1)
Delivering £32m first phase of new Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter to provide a 21st-century state of the art education facility to attract students from all over the world to the University of Wales Trinity St David.
Springhead Park Primary School
Springhead Park Primary School is a brand new modular two-form of entry with additional 26 nursery spaces in Ebbsfleet, Kent. The new schools holds 420 pupils ages from 3 – 11. The building includes teaching space, food tech facilities, science laboratories, multi-use agency space and hard court play area.
Northstowe Secondary College
Delivering a 600 place Secondary School with 12 form of entry core facilities, as well as a 110 place SEN School and Energy Centre for Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.
Alness Academy – virtual transition model
With Covid-19 restrictions preventing in person site visits, our virtual transition model supports pupils and teachers to familiarise themselves with their new building and access useful information to support their transition and adjustment to the new school environment.
Leaving a lasting legacy: Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School
Construction of a new £30m building for Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School, providing 1,200 school places and ensuring social value was delivered throughout the project.
Iffley Academy
New-build construction of a community Special Academy judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2019, for pupils up to the age of 18 with complex special educational needs and disabilities. The new academy replaces unfit for purpose old buildings, adding animal care, horticulture and construction facilities, a mock flat and pupil-run café.
Whitelands Academy, Kingsmere
A brand new 600 pupil secondary academy school for years 7-11, built to support Kingsmere, a new housing development in south-west Bicester. Constructed to BREEAM principles, the academy features 26-classrooms, SEN provision, a four-court sports hall built and fitted to Sport England standard, external social spaces and multi-use games areas.
Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
Design and construction of two replacement buildings as part of a 1,100 pupil school in Canterbury, Kent, providing 7,500m² of teaching space across a range of traditional classrooms and learning areas with specialist areas for art, science and technology. The second phase, currently underway, includes asbestos clearance, demolition of the existing school buildings, construction of a car park and MUGA area.
Hartsdown Academy
Hartsdown Academy is a secondary school with academy status located in Margate, Kent for circa 1000 students aged 11 to 18. The project was completed over two phases where phase one comprised of the demolition of two existing school buildings and the construction of a new three storey teaching block. Phase two involved the demolition of three existing school buildings and the installation of a new pre-fabricated modular building.
Spa School, Camberwell
Spa School Camberwell is a co-educational special school for students aged 5 to 16 with autism. Construction works included the structural alteration, internal remodelling and fit out of a three storey Victorian building with a three storey new build extension. It has the capacity for 120 students and 80 staff.
Cattle Market Road, Bristol
Saving carbon, fuel and costs through the use of Solar Hybrid Towers at Cattle Market Road site in Bristol
Ponteland School & Leisure Centre
Ponteland School & Leisure Centre features a 420-place primary school and a 1,600-place secondary school, a state-of-the-art leisure centre with swimming pools, aqua play, spa, gym, climbing walls, dance studios, soft play zone, a 3G sports pitch, bar, cafés, library and a new community fire station.