REFURBISHMENT
The project involves the refurbishment and Cat B fit out of the first floor of an occupied multi-storey building in Canary Wharf to provide a Reception, a suite of Consultation Rooms, and MRI Scanning, Mammogram, and Ultrasound facilities.
The design was inherited at RIBA Stage 4 and developed for construction across architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines to RIBA Stage 5 for sign off by both HCA as client and end user, and Canary Wharf Management Limited (CWML) as Landlord, under a Licence for Alteration. All elements of the design meet the Primary Care technical design and performance standards, as set out in the HBN’s and HTN’s. RAMS and Method statements have been produced and verified prior to executing all elements of work.
Generally, the design and work entail installation of high and low level ventilation, drainage, power and data services, cellularisation of the floor plate to provide a suite of Consultation Rooms and a high-performance scanning suite, installation of suspended ceilings and raised access floors and fit out with purpose made joinery and full FF&E.
Aside of our own strict quality control procedures we have in place for workmanship and materials, we have benchmarked every element at the initial stage of installation, so the Employer and EA can assess and verify they are satisfied with quality and compliance. We also have planned meetings at 14 day intervals with the client retained design team, to inspect installations and fire stopping/barriers. Thereafter, we make an index linked photographic record of the inspected elements and implement void and partition closures appropriately.
- The main project challenges include:
Designing and erecting a gantry and goods/personnel lift suitable for providing direct access to the first-floor accommodation and a 10t load capacity to accommodate the installation of the MRI scanners.
- Working within the strict Permit to Work regime enforced by CWML for work on existing ventilation, power and lifesaving installations.
- Design and co-ordination of MEP installations within ceiling and restricted sub-floor voids to avoid clashes, maintain cross talk attenuation and ensure unimpeded access for future maintenance.
- Overcoming restricted storage facilities by implementing a procurement strategy incorporating ‘Just in time’ deliveries.
- Overcoming onerous noisy working restrictions enforced by CWML due to structure borne sound affecting tenants throughout the building.