case study questions Flashcards
Who are the stakeholders
The client who was the freeholder of the building
Commercial leaseholders who occupied the ground floor units on both blocks
Residential leaseholders who occupied the upper floors on both blocks
Plymouth City Council City Centre Team who our design had to satisfy in order to achieve planning.
How did you keep the commercial leaseholders happy
Shortly after the commencement of the works the commercial leaseholders became begrudged and informed us that the erection of scaffolding would have a detrimental impact on their business and they would refuse to provide access for the steelworks.
We worked with the social housing provider to offer a rent-free period and shuffle the programme to establish acceptable access dates that minimise the impact on the businesses.
How did you keep the residential leaseholders happy
It was important to keep the residential leaseholders happy in order to minimise objection to the project. We took various measures to appease the residents as far as reasonably practicable;
We consulted the residents on the layout of the colour cladding panels with them voting on 4Nr options prepared by myself and one of our architects to produce the visuals. The voted ended up 50/50 so we decided to go with both options, triangles on the East and Squares on the West.
Why were the City Centre Team involved
The City Centre team sits within the local planning authority. They currently have a development plan for the West end of the City centre and notified us that we need should update the aesthetic of the wall and advised that they will need to approve any aesthetic amendments to the facades before commencement.
What was the outcome of the City Centre Team conditions
We initially presented the drawings with the two proposed layouts from the consultation with the leaseholders. They requested a meeting with samples of the coloured panels.
We obliged and negotiated a colour scheme that was fitting of the products specified, true to our designs and was in keeping with the City Centre Team’s plan for the West end, a win-win scenario.
What were your responsibilities
I undertook the roles of Designer, Contract Administrator and oversaw the works of the independently appointed Structural Engineer with guidance from a senior surveyor. My responsibilities include;
Preparation of designs to demonstrate compliance with a client’s brief
Detailing of how components are installed
Preparing Design Risk Assessments
Issuing instructions
Dealing with payment provisions
Managing variation procedures
Involvement with dispute avoidance
Dealing with completion and possession issues
Issuing certificates.
How did your instruction come about
The reinforcement of the Laing Easi-Form concrete in places had little to no cover. The insufficient cover led to water ingress and the reinforcement began to rust and expand causing the panels to spall and become loose posing a threat to the public.
As a direct result of this, emergency works were undertaken to remove the SE gables panels in 2017. We received instruction to design, tender and administer the contract for the following works: remove the remaining panels, stabilize the wall and re-clad like for like the four end elevations. The city centre team requested that we improve the aesthetic of the facade instead of replacing the tiles life for like.
The works commenced on site on 08/07/2019 and were deemed practically complete on 27/03/2020.
What was the construction of the blocks
Two blocks built in the 1950s using non-traditional Laing Easi-Form construction, the ground floor was used as a retail space whilst the upper 3 floors were residential. The outer leaf was formed in situ no-fines concrete with precast interlocking concrete panel lost formwork tied in with copper wire.
What did you specify to ensure the stability of the wall
Removal of any loose/protruding degraded reinforcement, clean back to any reinforcement that is exposed but still in functional condition.
Rebar Primer (Armatec 110) - To be applied to any exposed reinforcement following cleaning back of the surface. A test panel was undertaken to ensure the correct level of blast cleaning was undertaken.
Corrosion inhibitor (Ferrogaurd 905) - Applied to all of the surface, designed to penetrate the concrete surface and protect the unexposed rebar.
Epoxy repair mortar (Sikadur 41) - Epoxy mortar to fill significant voids in the face of the wall.
Level surface (Sikagaurd 720 EpoCem) - Three-part mortar for levelling and finishing of concrete surface to receive timber battens
Why did you specify an epoxy repair mortar over a cementitious mortar
I specified epoxy mortar over a cementitious mortar as the works were due to take place over the winter and the epoxy can be used at lower temperatures without freezing. In addition to this the added challenges of preventing water loss of curing a cementitious mortar meant that it was unfeasible.
