BACKGROUND

The project consisted of the design and refurbishment of 2,000m² of 1980’s laboratory space undertaken in a live environment, on a site
delivering STEM programmes to 8,000 students and 24-hour research activities. The work consisted of the demolition and reconfiguration
of outmoded laboratories and the creation of new state of the art laboratory and engineering facilities, for the Faculty of Science and the
Faculty of Engineering and Environment.

On completion, the project provided the University with a range of state of the art teaching and research facilities that would allow the
pedagogical changes required in a modern progressive institution.

The project was delivered to a strict programme and budget as the facility had to be completed for the commencement of the new
academic year. Any delay would have had a catastrophic impact on business continuity for the client. Key to successful delivery of the
project was our approach to engaging with the client and the end users of the facility.

During the mobilisation period, and prior to commencing works on site, Hightown Group’s approach was to hold a series of stakeholder
engagement meetings with the design team, the client’s project team and the ends users of the facilities. This allowed the construction
team to fully understand the client’s aspirations and to develop a robust programme. In addition, the stakeholder meetings allowed the
construction team to fully understand the key issues for the client, identify options for phased delivery to allow the client sufficient time
to prepare for the start of academic year and to fully develop a logistics plan which allowed the University to maintain business continuity
on the campus throughout the project.

Moreover, due to the high level of building services, medical gas supplies, fume cupboards, process equipment, etc installed on this project.
Regular monitoring of the programme was essential. Key to the successful delivery of the project was recognition that the installation
works needed to be delivered with sufficient timescale for commissioning all the building services equipment and plant. In addition, the
programme needed to allow sufficient scope to connect the new services into the building’s existing services without impacting on the
client’s ability to maintain business continuity in the surrounding facilities. To reduce the impact on the building users, any activities that
had a substantial impact on the building users, for example, asbestos removal, electrical and gas shutdowns, etc, were agreed with the
client and undertaken out of hours to prevent business disruption.

The success of the project was also due to the early understanding the University’s financial constraints, as the project was grant funded by HEFCE. We worked closely with the client’s design team and our supply chain to ensure that we secured best value without reducing either the standard of materials or reducing the quality of equipment. We undertook a series of value engineering exercises to ensure that we delivered the best possible outcome without impacting on the whole life cycle of the facility.

Finally, we believe the success in delivering projects is our approach to partnering with the client, the client’s design team and our supply chain partners. We have a long-term relationship with our supply chain which engenders the retention and redeployment of those suppliers on current and future opportunities.