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Category: Projects £7-10m Name: Neil Millward MCIOB Company: HBG Construction Project: Christie Hospital, Manchester Contract: ProCure 21, ECC option C |
Neil Millward had to construct a cancer unit that linked into live operating theatres, build it above a permanently open access route, and deliver it with a constant and overarching emphasis on quality. Add a guaranteed maximum price to the mix and Neil's success on this project is inspiring indeed.
Neil's thorough programming and encouragement of end-user input helped solve the planning challenge of building over the hospital's main service access road. Pharmaceutical deliveries and clinical waste collections used the road around the clock, and Neil had to install CFA (continuous flight auger) piles and pile caps on either side of it.
Constructing over and directly adjacent to a live operating theatre was another challenge, as noise and vibration could not be tolerated. Neil selected long-span precast concrete floor units to minimise noisy concrete operations, and the CFA piling technique also reduced noise and vibration to the existing anaesthetic and operating theatre suites. He co-ordinated his works programmes with the end-users to keep noise to a minimum during theatre surgery times, and gave all hospital staff his mobile number so they could contact him with any concerns.
With the budget set early on with the agreement of a guaranteed maximum price, Neil kept design development costs under constant scrutiny while maintaining the end-users' aspirations.
His value-engineering initiatives included using Fabsec beams to minimise the number of columns on the building footprint. By incorporating M&E services, the beams allowed Neil to reduce the depth of the ceiling void and achieve tie-in levels to the existing buildings. He also adopted a Metsec solution rather than blockwork for the inner skin of the brickwork envelope, and proposed powerfloated concrete topping screeds for the precast floors so vinyl flooring could be laid directly on top.
Neil handed over a virtually defect-free building with which the client and the end-users are delighted. His proactive approach and dedication to teamwork and stakeholder satisfaction gained the respect of the whole team and brought considerable value to this challenging project.
