Bucknall appointed QS on £100m DCA scheme

Consultant Bucknall Austin has been appointed QS and employer’s agent on the £100m scheme to convert the former central London Home Office building into the new home for the Department of Constitutional Affairs that will house junior ministers.

The £500,000 sq ft building at 50 Queen Anne's Gate near St James’ Park is aiming for a BREEAM rating of excellent. The project involves installing bomb-proof glass, uncovering original stone work, replacing the roof plant room and building a large atrium in the building’s courtyard.

The scheme is in the final stages of demolition and fit-out has already begun on some of the floors.

Main contractor Skanska is operating under a design and build contract for developer Land Securities. Skanska’s project manager on the scheme is project director Andy Hankin. The architect appointed to design the building is Aukett Fitzroy Robinson.

Phil Breeden is Bucknall’s lead QS on the project, while Gordon Glen is the employer’s agent.

Breeden said the building was bidding for the high BREEAM rating by installing multi service chilled beams instead of standard fan cooling air conditioning units. The beams will contain a range of electrical elements, including lighting, the public address system and fire alarm system. Air is pushed through the beam over coils. They will be suspended on each floor from the ceilings, which have been raised.

Breeden added: “The design uses less energy and meets industry requirements on floor to ceiling heights.” He confirmed the project was on programme.

Sub-contractor Szerelmey is carrying out £1.5m of restoration works on Portland and Roman stone facades. The structural engineer is Clark Nichols Marcel and the M&E contractor is Cundall.

The scheme started on site in December 2005 and is due for completion in November 2007.