Name: Paul McCrorey MCIOB
Employer: Sir Robert McAlpine
Project: Hazelwood School, Glasgow
Contract: JCT 98
Paul McCrorey’s project was anything but just another school. Designed for children with sensory impairments, the non-institutional environment included highly complex geometries and unusual detailing that put Paul’s construction management skills to the most searching of tests.
Paul had to solve the considerable access headaches of a site in a residential area where the footprint went right up to mature lime trees. He restricted contractor parking and delivery times, rigorously planned the logistics, and ensured there was no unnecessary noise or litter. His proactive treatment of access and planning allowed for continuous activity and was crucial to finishing the building on time.
He also overcame the considerable technical challenges of building a curving structure that meandered across the site, and managing the tricky material interfaces. The diverse cladding types included naturally weathered larch, vertically hung slate, full-height glazing on one elevation, high-level clerestory windows on another, and a zinc roof.
Paul recognised the paramount importance of getting all the nuances right and the significance that successful detailing would play in the day-to-day lives of the children. He made a real success of subtle custom effects built into the school interior as way-finding and teaching aids: special markings on floors and walls, variable-sized windows and changes in ceiling heights, as well as tactile natural materials such as cork, timber and slate.
He showed drive and determination in closing out the risks. These included a late instruction to construct two car parks close to the site boundary, and numerous design changes, such as a complete redesign of the storm and foul water outlets, the addition of storm water attenuation cells, and alterations to the gutter support detailing.
Paul’s sense of pride and responsibility permeated the site team. Allied to his honesty, courtesy, hard work, humour and sincerity, it made a crucial contribution to the project’s success at all levels and with all stakeholders.