Silver Medal Winner |
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Category: Residential Units Under 4 Storey Name: Peter Marsh Company: Bewley Homes Project: Avalon, Woolhampton, phase C |
The comfort of the brown long-eared bat was central to the success of Peter Marsh's project, or, to be exact, the construction of heated roosting facilities for a colony of them that lived in disused monastic school buildings that were to be demolished to make way for the new-build element of this development.
With the bat breeding season taking place in mid-May, Peter had to have finished building by then a series of garage blocks with specially designed heated roosting facilities in their roof. This would let him relocate the bats and proceed with demolition. If he didn't hit the date, the programme would be delayed by six months until the next bat relocation window appeared.
By dint of tact, diplomacy and careful management, Peter got to first base on the final phase of this crucial project for Bewley – the largest commitment in terms of size and cost that the company has ever undertaken.
And that was just the start of this complicated phase. With the new-build element designed to reflect the features of the refurbished Grade II-listed school, Peter gave a masterly demonstration of how to co-ordinate many trades to ensure the correct detailing of the complementary materials.
For the steel beam-supported roof level, for example, Peter carefully programmed a fistful of trades including bricklayers, carpenters, roofers and lead workers. The pleasing cohesive result is tribute to Peter's attention to detail and professional approach to challenges.
One of the major complications of the new build was the huge quantity of stonework required for quoins, parapet walls, castellated tower and so on. It was a real challenge for modern bricklayers, surmounted only with the aid of Peter's encouragement along with continual and meticulous checking.
A champion of craftsmanship, Peter also met the commercial imperatives. For example, to satisfy the presentational focus demanded by the sales team, he planted communal garden areas well in advance of completing the adjacent construction areas.
As well as delivering on quality, Peter remained on track with the programme, despite the discovery of fire damage that had weakened the structure of the building where refurbishment was taking place. Peter had to work out carefully with the supplier a schedule for the major additional steel supports required, and devise a strategy for delivering the steel frame in pieces and erecting it systematically and safely.
The result is an inspiring project that delivers on all levels.
