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Overview
- 52 hours of safety inductions carried out
- 400 new light fittings
- 10,200 carpet tiles removed
- 80% local labour
- 214 operatives in total on-site throughout the project
- Delivered 3 weeks ahead of schedule.
University of Leeds has been a long-time partner with Sewell Group for over 5 years. Working on a variety of projects of all shapes and sizes, from multiple refurbishment and reconfiguration works that took place in 2017 across the university campus at 5 different locations, to creating their state-of-the-art Fine Arts facility.
The most recent project brings us to the Clarendon Building, formally known as the Leeds Innovation Centre, on the university’s campus. The project involved the full remodel and refurbishment of an existing office building and was completed over 4 floors, including a basement area.
The upgrade to facilities within the Leeds Innovation Centre will further advance the provision of education facilities for students within Leeds University Business School (LUBS). This project forms part of a larger investment currently being undertaken by LUBS to further advance its facilities and education provision into the national and international HE arena.
Development
Before starting on site, there were regular discussions with the university to ensure detailed logistic plans were agreed and in place. Whilst the building itself was not occupied during the first phase of works, it is situated in the heart of the live and operational campus meaning it was key that the work did not disturb the students and safe systems of work were in place at all times. Activities and deliveries were arranged around the university open days, enrolments day and fresher’s week. Any noisy works were planned and co-ordinated to take place out of normal working hours.
Once the ground floor was handed over and was occupied by students, works to the first and second floors continued and safety hoarding was put in place to segregate the construction team and the students, which allowed access and egress without disrupting the student’s movement on campus. Traffic management procedures were also put in place to minimise disruption.
Delivery
Key milestones throughout the project included:
• Replacement of existing large glazing panels
• Audio Visual (AV) installation and completion
• Mechanical and electrical installation and commissioning
• Handing over the ground floor for new term time
• Completion of all client variation work within original programme
• Overall completion three weeks ahead of programme
To enable the installation of new ventilation systems, 20 of the existing large glazed panels needed to be replaced with external Louvres. Covering the ground, first and second-floor areas the work was meticulously planned to ensure safe completion and limited disruption on campus.
Results
The project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule and under the budget originally forecasted at the beginning of the scheme.
21 subcontractors were used on site with 80% of companies from the local area.
214 operatives were on site throughout the duration of this project.
We continue our relationship with the University as we progress with the external works to the FD Building.