Name: Richard Tyler ACIOB
Employer: BAM Construction UK
Project: Redcar & Cleveland College
Contract: JCT 1998
In the tricky position of piggy in the middle between a client rebuilding its entire facility and an architectural practice that changed its project manager five times over the course of the project, Richard Tyler emerged from this scheme with distinction.
The client’s need to open the building in time for enrolments for the new academic year was vital. Even though BAM had little design responsibility, Richard decided to take a proactive approach by appointing a design manager to benefit all stakeholders.
He then built the relationships and trust through partnering workshops to help the stakeholders understand each other’s expectations and needs. Acutely aware that the designers needed as much support as possible, Richard cemented team spirit and collaborative working through regular design review meetings.
But late release of design information and incorrect detailing, along with a stream of design variations and changes (amounting to £4m over the project duration), left the schedule in tatters. With a danger that even a completion date 13 weeks in arrears, a month after term commenced, would not be met, Richard took decisive action.
He called the client to a make-or-break meeting, emerging with a new, realistic target completion date and a mandate to resolve the issues. He then met with the key suppliers and subcontractors to finalise a reprogramming and resequencing that would claw back some of the slippage and allow the project to open in time for the new term.
Crucially, he made it clear to the design team that only critical variations could henceforth be accepted. The success of such a strategy depends entirely on having the strength to stick to it. Richard did so, standing his ground on accepting only design alterations that would benefit users.
The building opened in time for the new term. Just as importantly it breathed quality, leaving the college principal happily accepting compliments about the splendour of the finish from peers who have also rebuilt their establishments.
Value: £21m