New Build over £45m

Gold

Name
Paul Sims
Company
Bovis Lend Lease
Project
Three new buildings in public space redevelopment. Paternoster Square, London
Contract
£166m, Joint Venture/Construction Management with GMP, 90 weeks

Silver

Name
Gary Clifford
Company
Skanska UK
Project
40-storey office block. Swiss Re Tower, London
Contract
£131m, JCT 98 with CDP, 146 weeks

Without any doubt whatsoever, this is the most recognisable building in this year’s CMYA competition. Translating the complexities of the now-famous design into a structure that could be built on site without shredding the programme was Gary Clifford’s impressive achievement.

Clifford pushed for 3D computer modelling, using input from designers and major package contractors to create a model of the whole building. This proved invaluable in flagging up potential clashes between structure and services, clarifying design, planning and logistics decisions, and reducing cost and programme risk.

Protecting the programme was Clifford’s principal driver. Accordingly, he accepted the extra financial hit of milling the faces of the steelwork nodes to ensure a more precise fit as the structural frame was erected. And he made heavy use of prefabrication for the dome steelwork, M&E risers, lift cars, cleaning cradles and toilet pods, which improved quality and health and safety conditions as well as bringing greater programme certainty.

Clifford’s well-planned logistics minimised disruption to neighbouring roads and he passed up every one of the numerous opportunities to disturb neighbours with noise, dust and rubbish. Clifford extremely worked hard to get neighbours and the many interested authorities on his side, keeping them continuously informed of progress and future work or road closures via the project website.

With 500 operatives on site at peak times, many with different languages and cultures, Clifford had to take great care to ensure that everyone understood what was required of them in terms of output and quality, as well as health and safety. To help achieve this, he employed a full-time union representative on site, making him part of the health and safety team.

Clifford is the first to acknowledge that the Swiss Re project was a team effort from start to finish. But what a leader that team had!

Commended

Richard Barnes Bovis Lend Lease, Tony Bush Laing O’Rourke Northern, Peter Carruthers Sir Robert McAlpine, Stewart Edgar Miller Construction, Tim Hare Sir Robert McAlpine, Nick Moore Mace