PFI

With this single-school project marking Stepnell’s entry into PFI, Alan Lyons was under considerable pressure to deliver success. That he did so while breaking more new ground in terms of sustainable construction and lean processes makes his achievement even more remarkable.

Lyons enthusiastically embraced an innovative green agenda of a heavily insulated structure with high thermal mass, mechanical ventilation to ensure good airflow through the teaching spaces, a green roof and low-energy equipment.

His successful delivery of the building demanded a detailed understanding of the technology and clear communication of the requirements to his team and the supply chain.

Lyons also used the Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) to evolve the room data sheets used in signing off the building for handover and the design details for an airtight envelope. The latter was a crucial requirement given that Stepnell bears the energy consumption risk for 25 years.

He was heavily involved in leading value engineering processes, choosing a structural steel frame on grounds of cost and programme. He also undertook extensive thermal modelling to eliminate potential issues with thermal bridging and condensation, using the exercise to push for a lightweight structural frame.

Lyons set up monthly progress meetings and managed the awkwardness of eight distinct key stakeholder groups with aplomb, adroitly winning their buy-in.

His consideration for the local community included setting up a website so local residents could view construction progress and log any issues.

On this job Lyons got quality, enthusiasm and a going-the-extra-mile mindset from his site staff and subcontractors. Teamwork was his key weapon in delivering this business-critical project on time, at bid cost, and with virtually zero defects.

Silver

Paul Dempster , Project director, Carillion Construction, West Wing and Children’s Hospital, Oxford Radcliffe: construction of nine-storey hospital wing and five-storey children’s hospital, completed in 168 weeks ,£135m, PFI standard form 3

As far as Paul Dempster is concerned, construction managers must constantly push the boundaries on cost, quality and programme. In taking this technically complex project from conception to completion on time, to budget and to exceptional quality, he has set new standards.

A PFI hospital veteran well aware that the contractor shoulders the risk, Dempster first satisfied himself that the proposed design was deliverable within the budget. He then ensured that design to cost was achieved through regular strategic overviews and robust cost reports.

He formed a core group of equally experienced specialists to deliver the ‘Carillion hospital’. He regularly engaged the supply chain to ensure that materials and designs satisfied the whole lifecycle imperatives of a PFI project: the choice of harder-wearing linoleum rather than vinyl floor covering generated a potential saving of £264,000 over the 25 years of the contract’s operation.

He also programmed a completion date four months in advance of the contract. It delivered an improved margin, allowed any outstanding snagging and commissioning work to be undertaken, and gave Carillion’s service team the chance to become familiar with the building’s operation before handover.

He won the trust of the client by prioritising the lifecycle issues it wanted solved. He built offsite mock-ups of key clinical rooms to develop sample materials and details and allow NHS staff full engagement, and by allowing a never-ending stream of donor and NHS visitors on site, he fostered a high level of buy-in.

And he likewise won the respect and collaboration of the project team and site workers. The first group flourished under his open management style, with each management team responsible for delivering their own packages. The latter appreciated the high-quality welfare facilities, monthly site personnel liaison meetings and a programme of monthly and annual safety awards.

Highly Commended

• Chris Carey MCIOB (Bovis Lend Lease) for Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton (also winner of this year’s Morse Award)
• Gareth Edwards (Interserve Project Services) for Hadley Learning Community, Telford
• Mike Gorman MCIOB (Wates Construction) for Kirklees Schools, West Yorkshire
• James Hindes (Carillion) for Riverside Hospital, Lewisham
• Richard Whitby (Rydon Construction) for Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health