Sweet Construction awarded this £750K value project to Stephenson to construct a 6 storey, split level, basic finish reinforced concrete frame for both residential and commercial end use. This consisted of 2 cores, varying sized columns, varying sized transfer beams, multiple upstand, cantilevered slabs and balconies.
This project was part of the redevelopment of the historic former Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Factory site. What is now part of the Whitehall Primary School was once the social club for factory employees and was used as a hospital for soldiers during World War 2. The mixed-used redevelopment's estimated cost was £28m and is located in a built-up area close to Bristol's city centre. It brings new homes, workspace, retail and a community hub, bringing back to life the Victorian buildings which once made some of the world's favourite chocolates.
The Project Team
Ian Downing - Operations Manager at Sweet Construction
Phil Hare - Building Manager at Sweet Construction
John Pitea - Contracts Manager at Stephenson
David Edwards - Project Manager at Stephenson
Costel Baranai - Site Manager at Stephenson
David McCarthy - Site Engineer at Stephenson
Methodology
A method was adopted to test if we were able to receive greater certainty of concrete supply during the large slab pours by utilizing Wright Minimix for both our concrete and mobile pump supply. Although this has initial teething issues, it was widely successful over the duration of the project and achieved the desired outcome.
RMD Airodek and Albeam were used for the falsework slab construction. The ease of instillation compared to other traditional options was deemed best suited for our works as it enabled the team to quickly strike and recycle the equipment, drastically reducing the volume of kit required and project duration.
Doka Framex formwork was opted for the vertical elements as their design was closely replicated on all levels. This allowed the team to prefabricate the vertical components prior to commencing which reduced the times associated.
Stair-Formwork permanent formwork was installed for the stair construction. This method was chosen as the stair design has not been fully developed and enabled the core construction to progress ahead without interruption. The stairs were installed once the design was completed and the speed of instillation related to this project mitigated any time lost. Traditional timber shuttering was constructed to form edge shutters, stop-ends and various beam elements.
Due to its ease of instillation, flexibility and operative's familiarization, K-Guard edge protection systems naturally presented themselves as the most viable option for this project. K-Platforms and RMD Klic-Klac platforms where used for access to the externals of the cores and their internal voids. These were also opted for due to their ease of instillation, transport and deployment.
A Canti-Deck platform was repositioned at various locations around the reinforced concrete frame to allow quick distribution of materials and equipment. This prevent unnecessary double handling of kit, reducing the hook time requirements on the crane. GPR was installed to riser voids to allow safe working platforms for follow-on M&E trades.
Sweet Construction Testimonial
"A very proactive team providing regular site reports including looking ahead and foreseeing issues with design and information flow. Achieved significant betterment of the original programme, providing cost saving and programme betterment for the project.
Highly recommended and would welcome the opportunity to work together again."
Ian Downing - Head of Operations at Sweet Construction
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