Name: Phillip Clarke MCIOB
Employer: Bovis Lend Lease
Project: One Wood Street, London EC2V 7JB
Contract: Design & build
Time and again during this project, Phil Clarke stepped forward in the time-honoured tradition of construction manager excellence to solve unforeseen problems that threatened to derail the development.
Right from the start, the project unexpectedly metamorphosed into a design and build rather than a more leisurely tender for a traditional contract. The shift triggered an intense burst of meetings and reviews, and a rush to complete the design team’s novation agreements.
Phil was astute enough to establish open and trusting relationships with the design team. He set up clear professional procedures and ensured the project had a strong social side.
His efforts engendered a strong relationship with the design team that ensured everyone was prepared to go the extra mile to progress the works. Even in the early stages, the will to resolve the difficulties that arose was of enormous benefit when the discovery of extensive ground obstructions had the project team living hand to mouth in redesigning the piling.
Then, an adjoining development wished to commence demolition on the site boundary while One Wood Street was still casting pile caps and lower-ground concrete slabs. Phil developed the technical solutions that let both projects proceed without suffering programme delays, negotiating the final working arrangements directly with the adjoining owners.
Phil’s technical mastery on this project was absolute. He led a series of engineering workshops to design the temporary works for the basement construction. The final solution combined the use of king post piles, thrust blocks and a detailed construction sequence to ensure the stability of basement walls that had been retained from demolished office buildings.
Likewise, during the final stages of commissioning, when the cooling water quality was below expectation, Phil was immediately on the case to resolve the issue in a timely way.
His infectious enthusiasm and professionalism stimulated a highly efficient team. Finishing on time and within budget, Phil and his team delivered a commercially successful building of which the client is immensely proud.