Hill Partnerships

When approached by London Strategic Housing to construct a key worker development to primarily serve NHS staff from the Whittington Hospital, Hill Partnerships Ltd, having studied feedback on similar projects, sought a solution that utilised a modern method of construction.

The project comprised the design and construction of 124 bedspaces each with their own ensuite shower room and arranged in 20 flats on 4 floors each with 6 or 7 bedrooms, plus a shared kitchen/diner. The accommodation was specifically designed to suite the needs of NHS key workers, many of whom work shifts and require increased sound attenuation between bedrooms and individually controlled heating.

The block is clad in brick and render under a metal sheet mono pitched roof. It is served by 3 separate staircases each with their own motor roomless lift. A communal laundry facility was provided to the top floor of one staircase cluster. By adopting semi volumetric techniques, the construction of non-repetitive areas on site was achieved utilising the services of traditional trade contractors in the linking of such areas to those manufactured and completed in the factory.

Early rental income was an influencing factor when selecting a timber framed, semi volumetric solution as the form of construction. This methodology reduced the on site construction period to 47 weeks, representing a reduction in time of approximately 30%, when compared with traditional construction methodologies. Each bedspace, inclusive of its ensuite shower room, was constructed in the factory and transported to site for erection. These units were all pre decorated and complete with furniture and carpets installed.

Working to a very tight budget an open book partnering approach was adopted utilising the PPC 2000 Form of Contract. Combining the services of both a specialist designer and modular building provider, value for money has been optimised.

Regular quality checks were implemented within the factory in an attempt to eliminate rework on site. All modules were manufactured in accordance with an approved sample pod thus ensuring that all initial design errors were rectified via visual client inspections and not repeated within the production run.

Access to site was extremely restricted with each module requiring delivery on rigid backed lorries. Whilst erection took place, a 100-ton mobile crane was permanently on site.

M & E Designs were checked for compliance with the project brief by Hill Partnerships’ services consultant who developed the performance specification in response to the end users’ needs. The fit out of the development was executed by the project team as part of the contract, making delivery virtually turn key.

Construction Commencement
10 May 2002

Construction Completion
15 April 2003

Contract Sum
£2,920,570

Form of Contract
PPC 2000

Cost per M²
£23,553