Name: Sean Sweet
Employer: Morgan Sindall
Project: Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre, Durham
Contract: JCT 1998
To get it built is often the ambition, but Sean Sweet’s ambition was to get it right. This important distinction repeatedly surfaced during this project, with powerful consequences.
Take the tender interviews. Despite another contractor being much cheaper, it was Sean’s thorough knowledge of the task and understanding of the design intent as well as his professionalism and calm confidence that made him the unanimous choice of the committee.
He then put all his buildability expertise into helping the design team achieve their challenging objectives rather than constantly pushing for budgetary safety. He won the rare acclaim of the architect’s ringing endorsement for never compromising the correct design solution for material considerations.
His people management was equally superb. At project start he organised a team building day for all the design team, client team and major subcontractors. It achieved important supply chain buildability input, and engendered an open and honest approach that permitted frank discussions and swift decision-making.
He held team meetings on Fridays to outline the coming week’s work, to discuss what had not gone to plan and to draw lessons from it. It was an experience-sharing exercise and collective approach to problem-solving that relieved the stress of many a team member before taking the weekend off.
His open discussion of project risks with the client underpinned mutual agreement on ways forward and helped turn challenges into opportunities. For example, the original spec called for a PVF2-coated standing seam roof, coloured to simulate copper in one section and zinc in another. When, after long discussion, the PVF2 suppliers were unable to supply adequate warranties, Sean returned to his supply chain to source solid copper and zinc sheets with 75-year guarantees. Not only were the planners overjoyed, but it also resulted in a budget saving.
It was no mean feat to build a unique architectural concept in a city centre, next to a busy car park, on land not owned by the client, within an educational facility with 1,100 students. In his 35 years’ experience, the client’s project manager ranked it as the most complicated but also the smoothest and most professionally managed project he has ever been involved in.
Value: £13.2m