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Category: PFI Projects Name: Alan Lyons Company: Stepnell Ltd Project: Whitecross School , Hereford Contract: Bespoke PFI |
With this single-school project marking Stepnell's entry into PFI, Alan Lyons was under considerable pressure to deliver success. That he did so while breaking more new ground in terms of sustainable construction and lean processes makes his achievement even more impressive.
Alan enthusiastically embraced an innovative green agenda of a heavily insulated structure with high thermal mass, forced mechanical ventilation to ensure good airflow through the teaching spaces, a green roof and low-energy equipment. His successful delivery of a highly sustainable and energy-efficient building demanded a detailed understanding of the technology and clear communication of the requirements to his team and the supply chain.
Alan also used the Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) to evolve the room data sheets used in signing off the building for handover and the design details for an airtight envelope. The latter was a crucial requirement given that Stepnell bears the energy consumption risk for 25 years.
He was heavily involved in leading value engineering processes, analysing tilt-up construction and in situ concrete frame before deciding on structural steel frame on grounds of cost and programme. He also undertook extensive thermal modelling to eliminate potential issues with thermal bridging and condensation, using the exercise to push for a lightweight structural frame.
Alan set up monthly progress meetings, conducting them with good humour but also a real sense of purpose and a partnering approach that encouraged the entire project team to contribute to problem solving. He managed the awkwardness of eight distinct key stakeholder groups with aplomb, and adroitly won their buy-in.
His consideration for the local community was exceptional. He set up a website so local residents could view construction progress and log any issues, and achieved the maximum score from a Considerate Constructors Scheme audit.
For Alan, the single most important component in any job is teamwork, and on this job he got quality, enthusiasm and a going-the-extra-mile mindset from his site staff and subcontractors. It was his key weapon in delivering this business-critical project on time, at bid cost, and with virtually zero defects, despite all the challenges of new construction techniques, methods and control procedures.
