Plans for the Westbury Homes development currently cover 14 acres and include over 700 luxury flats and a leisure centre. But with the land on either side of the site as yet undeveloped, an expansion into these areas remains a distinct possibility. How the blocks of flats for the existing plot will eventually be built is also under continual review. One thing is certain however: these flats are designed to cater for the top-end of the housing market.
"This is the biggest private residential development in Europe at the moment," states Chris Ogden, projects manager with Hills Electrical & Mechanical. "The idea is that it will be a secure, standalone village," he explains. The site will have a surrounding wall and the only entrance is via a main gate, past a concierge office. CCTV cameras will be used to show the residents anyone trying to gain entry.
As well as the high-tech security systems, the homes are packed with the latest wiring and gadgetry – from Cat 5 cabling, to a self-learning heating system – but that is only one small part of the story, the part that the occupants see. The real story to this development lies behind the scenes, with the way the teams have worked and the methods used to pull a constantly reviewed scheme together.
Hills won the tender for the initial m&e contract on the development's showflats. Phase one – the first ten of a proposed 35 blocks of flats for the site – is due for completion in July 2002. "The programme is changing with the demand so there is no exact date for completion of each block at present," stresses Ogden. But what Hills does know is: "That the rest of the scheme will be negotiated directly with Brunswick (the main contractor) without tendering." This is a direct result of Hills' work on the scheme to date. "[Westbury] has seen what we can do, they liked what we can do, liked our attitude and we liked their attitude. It's mutually beneficial," says Ogden.
It is the attitudes of all involved and partnering agreements that have enabled the scheme to be several weeks ahead of schedule despite floors being added to some blocks after the initial design stage and an incredible amount of m&e services required for every flat to cater for and supply the advanced technologies they contain – there is 2000-2500 metres of cabling alone in each flat.
"The whole scheme has been put together around a partnership, whereby we all sit around a table and discuss solutions. That follows down the line to the suppliers," explains Ogden. When Westbury brought Hills onto the project as partners to the main contractor, Hills brought its suppliers. The company has a computer-based database of partner companies, so when it wins a contract it simply checks who the usual partner is for the area and type of work. By doing this the company can guarantee its clients the quality of product and can negotiate discounts, which can be passed to them.
There were other benefits of partnering with the suppliers, such as availability – Ogden reports that there have been no problems since arriving onsite. It has also been possible to request new and updated products so that as each phase of the scheme is being completed the items used will be the latest available.
One of the areas where this is highly evident is with the electrical accessories. Hills' partner for this area was MK Electric. The company had not worked with Westbury before as the developer was linked into a different firm. Hills and MK "have a partnering arrangement from the top, which works down to a local scale to the individual projects," explains MK's Gary Jenkins. Here, the company's Edge range, a recent launch, is being used and adapted to fit in with the scheme's changing demands.
These working methods may be becoming standard for Hills and its suppliers but for Westbury this is not the case. MD Sue Schofield admits: "It's unusual for Westbury to work under partnership agreements. We build relationships with contractors after we've worked with them for a number of years, but the product is not generally developed in relationship with them." On this scheme the design has been very much a collaboration.
Hills' role has extended beyond that of subcontractor and the company is in daily contact with Westbury, the two teams meeting weekly with the designers. "We've been asked by Westbury to work closely with the design team and use our field of knowledge to enhance the final product," explains Ogden.
Sue Schofield confirms: "I don't think there has been any time we have not discussed things with [Hills]. There have been a lot of developments made because of their involvement," she says, adding sensibly, "there is no point having specialists and not consulting with them."
Occupants are just beginning to move in and reap the benefits of the teamwork used on site. The second phase, the leisure centre, is due to begin on site in September. But the benefits to the scheme's partners will not end when it is complete.
Already spawning from the success of the scheme are rewards for all concerned. MK's Edge range has been enhanced and expanded through the company's involvement – by listening and reacting to what was needed and looking at how existing products could be adapted or added to.
As well as winning the contracts for the remaining phases of Century Wharf, Hills is in discussion with Westbury Homes over a Manchester project and is "talking with Brunswick about doing similar things on other projects". The company is also partnering with the main contractor for the showflats, Macob Construction, on a residential scheme in Bristol. It appears that the added value of partnering is far flung indeed.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor
Credits
Client Westbury Homes Project manager Terry Edwards Architect Wyn Thomas Gordon Lewis M&E consulting engineer EMDS Main contractor Brunswick Construction M&E contractor Hills Electrical & Mechanical Lighting designer Thorn Lighting Drainage Wavin Ductwork Vilavent Extract fans Vilavent Heating Creda Sanitary ware Ideal Standard Showers Redring Cable tv NTL CCTV Dakes Electrical distribution MK Electric, MEM Electrical accessories MK Electric Emergency luminaires Thorn Lightning protection EES Lighting Thorn LV switchgear MEM Music system IMI Media Security equipment Dakes TV Elite Aerials Underfloor heating Warm Up Voice & data equipment Comtec