Project Details

Client: Plymouth Community Homes

Region: Devon

Value: £1M

Contract terms: JCT Intermediate

Contract length: 104 weeks

Completed: June 2021

Customer Satisfaction Survey: 93%

Site features and challenges: Occupied buildings

 

Achievements: 

• Winner – 'Health, Safety & Wellbeing', 'Value' & 'Winner of Winners', Constructing Excellence South West Awards 2021
• Judge’s Special Award – Abercrombie Awards 2021
• Highly Commended – 'Building Project of the Year', Constructing Excellence South West Awards 2021
• CCS Gold National Site Award 2020
• Plymouth City Council Building Control Safe Site Award 2019
• LABC Award
• Highly Commended – 'Building Project of the Year', Constructing Excellence South West Awards 2020
• Shortlisted –'Health, Safety & Wellbeing Award', Constructing Excellence South West Awards 2020

 

Project Summary:

Mount Wise Towers, in the Devonport region of Plymouth, is located in a busy residential area to the west of the city centre. The three towers, rising to a maximum height of 19 storeys, are in proximity to the port and the River Tamar. The three blocks – Lynher House, Tamar House and Tavy House – underwent a complete external refurbishment. Throughout the project, 325 people remained resident in 270 homes.

Appointed as Principal Contractor by our repeat customer Plymouth Community Homes (PCH), Mi-space completed cladding removal work and the installation of upgraded sprinklers and fire alarm installation at three high-rise residential blocks in Plymouth.

Mi-space managed the installation in terms of health and safety, resident liaison and managing the design interfaces. Despite the sensitive nature of the works, the building remained fully occupied throughout the project. Phase 1 of the internal and external fire protection measures, with a project value of circa £1.7m, involved installation of the sprinkler systems combined with external preconstruction investigations, following a 12-month period of due diligence under a series of letters of instruction. Working closely with the client’s team, including Lead Designer Bailey Partnerships, Mi-space de-risked the project whilst maintaining fire integrity. Phase 2 commenced in November 2018 under a new contract of circa £12m.

 

The team worked collaboratively with all parties through an intensive preconstruction period to ensure the final design and installation method for the sprinkler works remained safe. Mi-space facilitated three early design workshops – including site visits with PCH, Bailey Partnerships, specialist suppliers and resident groups – ensuring the final design, scope and working methodology met with everyone’s approval and serviced the buildings’ needs.

Mi-space jointly investigated all survey results, which highlighted further design development, resulting in 52 design revisions including revised boxing details, product choice and sprinkler location layouts maximising system performance based upon pilot homes.