New Warehouse and Storage Yard.

Daimler Buses required a new four bay bus workshop as an addition their existing property in Coventry. Following a competitive tender process, NU Construction Ltd was selected as principal contractor and to lead the VE design to meet the clients’ budget.

The site presented numerous challenges including.

•  Unknown ground conditions
•  Scope of works and inherited design
•  Working in a live environment
•  Tight budget constraints

SITE REMEDIATION STRATEGY

A remediation strategy was developed with one of our regular trusted contractors to utilise locally sourced materials with the specific test data direct from the quarries to comply with strict planning conditions.

SCOPE OF WORKS & INHERITED DESIGN

Close client participation and contractor liaisons was uppermost in achieving a scheme that was both what the end user required to operate their new facility and to also meet the strict budget constraints. This was achieved by early meetings involving all invested parties who contributed with design changes and practical value engineering exercises.

WORKING IN A LIVE ENVIROMENT

Maintaining good communication was a key ingredient and particular to all parties been critical throughout the project. We established a strong relationship with the client's operational team having regular dialogue with the project team to coordinate all aspects and procedures of the work.

CONSTRUCTION WORKS

The programme duration was 22 weeks and completed on time. The works consisted of pad foundations, steel frame with internal overhead crane, composite cladding, polished concrete slab, 3 coat resin floor finish, internal dividing jumbo partition wall with Internal roller shutters, automated external sectional doors. Mechanical installations consisted of washing stations, vehicle extract systems and compressed air supplies. Electrical works undertaken with an upgrade to the existing power supply, bat lighting, specialist equipment outlets and overhead heating. External works included drainage diversions, new drainage and manholes, external concrete yard slabs, Infrastructure for an external charging station.

VALUE ENGINEERING

Having developed strategies with our supply chain to improve production on site, NU are familiar with keeping the character of the scheme, but simplifying design, with the client’s permission, to achieve a branding which is reflective of the client’s requirements but allows the site team to provide value without jeopardising the performance of the building. On the Burntwood scheme, the following strategies were implemented: -

1. Existing fencing was utilised rather than removing and replacing with new.

2. The different cladding specifications were changed to a standard specification, but different colours were introduced to break up the elevations. This allowed the steel frame and cladding to be simplified.

3. Substructure masonry was omitted and was replaced with a PFC at floor level. This allowed the ground beams to be omitted, which saved time and money in the groundworks package.

4. Steel concrete encasements below ground level were replaced with a paint applied protection system. The isolation joints around the steel columns were then formed with permanent steel shutters which incorporated a movement joint between the columns and the floor slabs.

5. The external kerbing and block paving was removed and replaced with distinct white lining. This saved money on kerbs and allowed the external slabs to be cast unhindered. The result was a more durable and flexible service yard to allow vehicle movements.

6. The external lighting for the car parks and the access road was achieved by using solar powered LED streetlights. This saved time and money installing ducts for a traditional lighting system.