INGOODCOMPANY
TOP OF THE CLASS LAING O’ROURKE CONSTRUCTION
The creation of a new educational facility won Laing 0’Rourke the top prize at Constructing Excellence Wales. It’s easy to see why WHEN
Taf Ely Learning Campus was named Project of the Year
at this year’s Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards it marked recognition for constructor Laing O’Rourke’s huge achievement on this ambitious project. The judges commented that “the project impressed on many levels, however, one stand-out feature was the strategic use of the scheme as a learning facility for the construction students on the existing campus in Nantgarw, who turned the scheme into real-life work experience”. Laing O’Rourke Construction is a CIOB Training Partnership. The brief was to provide a new educational
facility for the Taf Ely Learning Campus to BREEAM excellent standard. The scheme would have to incorporate learning facilities for students specialising in vocational courses, A-levels and adult learning. In addition, a creche facility, gymnasium, refectory, shop and cafe – all to be operated by local SMEs on completion of the build – were all required. The energy was to be provided from a biomass boiler in the energy centre, which forms part of the sustainable energy programme. The project was not without its challenges.
At an early stage, a reduction in available funding meant a review of the design was required. This was achieved after consultation with all stakeholders without detriment to the provision of learning facilities or the architectural features of the design. The team implemented a project execution
plan to ensure timely delivery, a consistent approach and alignment with the revised budget. The plan embraced the NEC3 Option C contract administration and the client was given regular and clear view of the costs and progress against the programme. Engagement with all parties was the focus of the scheme, from the construction team members at the centre of the project to the whole supply chain, local community and the college students. A construction manager engaged with local schools and colleges and coordinated community events and activities. This included the renovation of derelict local Oxford Hall into a new facility for use by the local community, which in 2012 contributed to Laing O’Rourke winning a Business in the Community, Employee Volunteering Award, something the judges of the Constructing Excellence Awards also acknowledged.
For the construction students and lecturers,
there could be nothing more relevant than a new building project on their doorstep. The strategic intent and vision of the scheme was to use the project as a learning resource for the construction students, making it real-life work experience. This took the form of project-based exercises and apprentices gaining hands-on experience. But it wasn’t just the students who benefitted – the whole workforce learned from the experience, particularly in the areas of health, safety and the environment. As well as in-depth site inductions, all project supervisors and operatives attended the interactive “Incident and Injury Free” programme on health and safety. Senior management also conducted interviews with prospective operatives and supervisor briefings were used to share views. These actions resulted in 428,000 hours worked without major accidents, zero RIDDORs and an accident frequency rate of zero. This successful health and safety record is due,
in part, to innovation in construction, the use of Building Information Management (BIM) and the Laing O’Rourke Design for Manufacture and
“The project impressed on many levels. One stand-out feature was the strategic use of the scheme as a learning facility for the construction students on the existing campus”
Assembly (DfMA) offsite solution. To minimise waste on site the project also embraced the Waste and Resource Action Programme and held a number of toolbox talks with subcontractors and suppliers to encourage recycling. Plastic, timber and cardboard/paper units were set up on site, resulting in 96% of waste being recycled. Offsite manufacturing (DfMA) was used for
both pre-cast concrete elements, such as columns, walls and floors, as well as the mechanical and electrical services, which were built in a factory before being delivered to the site. The Constructing Excellence award acknowledged the benefits of using the BIM model and new DfMA solutions.
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Taf Ely Learning Campus: excellence award winner
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CIOB Case Study
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