Act Six - Behind the Scenes

VI.VIII Construction Phasing & RIBA Stages

Masterplan Phasing

One Demolition

Focus on demolition of the existing site, salvaging all materials which can be re-used including brick to be cut into tiles for use in the landscaping. Preserving and securing the cinema facade to be repaired and restored. Site cabins built at south of the site.

Block Construction

Two Site Excavations

Levelling the site to create the stepped phasing of the site. The site levels are designed to follow the natural topography to minimise the need to cut and fill the site. Excavations will be needed to accommodate for the subterranean levels.

Three Foundations/ Core

Form work created and concrete strip foundations and screeds poured on top of steel rereinforcements. Utility lines installed. Concrete retaining walls poured at subterranean levels. Three building cores constructed level by level with sliding form work.

Four Phased Construction

Materials are brought to site. Scaffolding is built. Buildings are constructed north to south to allow access to cranes and site vehicles. SIPs panels are built off site and craned into position alongside floors and roofs. The crescent block is built last.

Five Interiors & Finishes

Windows are added and internal acoustic insulation and boarding is added. Internal storage wall, built off-site are brought in and fitted, kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrical are fitted. Final finishes are done to external and internal spaces.

Six Landscaping

Landscaping and hardscaping undertaken alongside internal finishes. Installation of street furniture and lighting, planting and softscaping added. Removal of site materials and remaining site cabins and final clean and finish of the site. Handover.

Initial site surveys and site setting out. Consultation with subcontractors and construction of SIPs walls, floors and roof panels off-site. Windows, doors and internal storage walls also constructed off-site. Increasing efficiency and reducing wastage.

Strip foundations are poured with steel reinforcements. Retaining walls constructed in formwork where necessary. Site materials are brought onto site ready for construction.

Scaffolding is built. SIPs walls and roof are assembled and joined level by level. Blocks are built simultaneously with adjoining walls between units built with additional acoustic and fire proof insulation. Roof panels are added and windows and doors are fitted to make the buildings watertight.

Trades are brought in to fit electrics and plumbing. Solar tiles are installed in the roof and individual unit boilers and MVHR systems are fitted in the utility rooms and connected to the central heatsource system. Grey-water system is connected to central rainwater harvesting system.

Internal acoustic insulation and plaster-boarding is fitted with rounded cornicing. Floor finishes, tiles and plaster is added to walls. Internal doors and skirting board is added.

Storage walls are fitted and doors added and kitchens and bathroom suites are fitted and plumbed. Fitted lighting and switches are fitted.