Projects over £17m

Client: The Lowry Centre Trust
Project: The Lowry, Salford. Construction of a landmark millennium project for the visual and performing arts
Form of contract: JCT Management
Contract Final Account: £66.5m

When Peter Roberts first became involved in The Lowry, the importance of the building was not lost on him. He made it his business to understand the client's philosophy and ambitions for the building.

It was made very clear to Roberts that the lottery-funded budget was fixed. He ensured that the client received concise monthly reports that focused on cost forecasting, not cost reporting. At the halfway stage, he was able to report that interim final accounts had been agreed with the major works contractors, and that 70% of the cost plan was safe from additional costs.

The building's use resulted in complex and dense construction, and complicated logistics and programme inputs were required throughout. Several innovative ideas were used to gain programme certainty or remove risk, including: piling from ground level and "wasting" the top of the pile rather than waiting for the basement to be constructed and then piling from a lower level; constructing a special scaffold that allowed access to the majority of areas below; and involving the works contractor in the design and mock-ups of the stainless steel cladding.

The client is well aware that Roberts' professionalism, drive and enthusiasm were key elements in the success of this project.

Carl Wright, Mace, London

Client: The trustees of the British Museum
Project: Great Court Project, British Museum. Demolition of buildings within an existing courtyard; two levels of basement excavation and extensive reinforced concrete construction; fitting out; restoration of stone facades; Reading Room refurbishment; construction of a new glass and steel roof over the entire courtyard
Form of contract: Construction Management
Contract final account: £77.5m

Carl Wright was appointed to lead the Mace team to deliver this extraordinarily complex project on a two-acre site surrounded on all sides by the Grade 1 listed buildings of the museum. The only access was either over the top or via narrow and restricted passages through the existing buildings. One team member likened the process to building a domestic loft conversion with only the letterbox available for the delivery of materials and the removal of waste.

The technical problems were just as daunting, culminating in the magnificent lattice steel and glass roof. A great deal of work was required to ensure that the roof could be designed, constructed and assembled on site without affecting essential progress to works in the areas immediately below. The solution was to construct a high-level weatherproof access deck that completely filled the space of the Great Court.

Wright ensured that a high level of input and design development was sought from the trade contractors during the 15-month precontract phase so that potential difficulties and risk areas could be identified and controlled.

Wright had to advise, inform, liaise with and manage the expectations of various groups associated with the project, including: the trustees' committee formed to oversee the Great Court project; the 1000 museum staff, from the cleaners to some of the world's leading specialists in their fields of expertise; the often influential and concerned neighbours; and about 15 million visitors who passed through the museum during this period. He realised the potentially disastrous effect upon the project that a misunderstanding with these groups could cause and set up regular meetings to answer questions and to allay their concerns.

Much of the work carried out during this project is not immediately apparent and is hidden from view below the new stone floor of the Great Court or tucked away in various parts of the existing museum buildings. But what you do see upon entering the great court creates a significant "wow factor". The client is delighted with the end result and recognises that Wright "faced a formidable array of challenges. He met them squarely and led the construction team to meet the predetermined royal opening within the budget allowed."