Finalist |
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Category: Projects under £4m |
Whatever their size, high-quality fit-outs are pretty much the same: the component materials for the design may be very different, but they all come together in much the same way. Not at 30 St Mary Axe. Probably the best-known modern building in London , its deflection loads, expansion co-efficient and highly complex angular design made this project different and difficult.
Nick Bent's ability to surmount the logistical and design challenges thrown up by the inherent nuances and unpredictability of this iconic building was key to the success of this fit-out.
One of the biggest problems was how to replace the leading-edge glazing in the light wells. The spiralling effect of the atria design greatly restricted access to the glazing. Unfortunately, the safety line anchor bolts on the floor were missing, and scaffolding from floor 22 (where the six-storey atria bottomed out) was not an option given the disruption it would have caused to business there. Nick proposed a temporary man-safe system and a team of abseilers, who replaced the glazing swiftly and efficiently over six weekends.
A proactive manager, Nick dwelt on finding solutions to issues without dwelling on the causes. He was committed to quality, and as delays mounted on the M&E and partitioning packages, he used all his scheduling skills to keep perfect control over an increasingly congested site where there was a high risk of trades damaging each other's work and progress.
Nick thoroughly assessed risk and met it head-on. Aware of the client's dissatisfaction with another contractor's fit-out of the other two floors it already occupied in the building, Nick encountered the same problem with airflow rates on the floor. He convinced the facilities management team that there was an issue with the base build design overflow rates, and resolved the problem amicably.
Nick's friendly but commanding attitude created an excellent atmosphere onsite that earned the respect of the subcontractors, the design team and the client. So much so that Parkeray has been awarded the contract to fit out another floor for the client and to carry out remedial works on the first two floors it had fitted out.
