VOX
september 2011 Projects and people
Halcrow Foundation helps Thai village escape the poverty cycle – 28 future fishing
thames barrier
Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector rebuilds with Halcrow support – 12
Iconic structure protects London from flood risk – 18
PLUS catch up with colleagues around the world – at work and outside the office
No barrier to progress – 18
editor’s comment
Projects
In this issue of Vox we focus on what makes Halcrow a truly great company – the projects it delivers and the inspirational people who make them happen.
Brazil’s high-speed rail link stays on track
We take a look at a project to help Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry recover after the 2004 tsunami. Other schemes under the spotlight include London’s Thames Barrier, a rail upgrade for Gdansk port in Poland, and the first high-speed rail link in the Americas linking Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
clean energy
Recovering from the big one
3
Halcrow employees on reconnaissance mission to Japan
Speeding bullet
We also follow Bill Bruin and Marc Percher on a post-earthquake reconnaissance trip to Japan and catch up with Halcrow employees around the world.
fishing for a better future
10 12
Rebuilding Sri Lanka’s coastal infrastructure
16
US power team lights path away from fossil fuels
no barrier to progress
18
Extended life for London’s iconic flood defences
Trains and boats and cranes
24
Gdansk rail upgrade promises boost to Baltic trade
project news and awards
Giving
a hand up, not a hand out
26 28
Halcrow Foundation supports Thai village
Please continue to send your project successes and other news to Eloise Young. Vox team Eloise Young, editor youngel@halcrow.com Haidee Harrison Richard Rhydderch Emilie Dadswell, designer dadswelle@halcrow.com 2 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
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Obituaries
34
sport
36
announcements
38
out of office
Tales of the undead Iain Paton creates a zombie-inhabited world of horror
40
Recovering from the big one Bill Bruin and Marc Percher on reconnaissance mission to Japan
I
t is perhaps a reflection of the digital age we live in that Japan’s disaster in March 2011 very quickly became a real-time world disaster.
Footage shot from mobile phones showed people outrunning the post-earthquake tsunami’s surging black water and cars bobbing like apples in rolling waves of debris. When cell sites eventually jammed under the volume, Twitter and Facebook told the story of lost parents, siblings and children. As the water receded, rescue and reconstruction teams touched down to scenes of apocalyptic destruction.
> projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 3
A ship is left marooned on the dock
Mangled cars, a scene repeated across the country
4 â—† Vox â—† projects and people
When Halcrow’s Bill Bruin and Marc Percher arrived in the shell-shocked country, two months after the 9.0-magnitude quake and resulting tsunami, the number of people confirmed dead or still missing stood at almost 25,000. Over 120,000 residents had been evacuated, many of whom were escaping the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl after the damaged Fukushima plant began emitting radiation. No strangers to international reconstruction efforts, Bill and Marc travelled to Japan in early May 2011 as part of an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI) reconnaissance mission. The Oakland-based pair had previously visited Chile and Haiti respectively in 2010, also under ASCE auspices, following the massive earthquakes that decimated both countries.
Unmitigated destruction Japan is right at the top of the global pile when it comes to earthquake preparedness, following the Kobe quake in 1995 in which 6,400 people died. People live in an almost constant state of readiness, given that the country suffers a fifth of the world’s most powerful tremors. Modern buildings are built with deep foundations, the most advanced supported by shock absorbers that allow the structure to move with the earth, rather than against it. But although Japan was ready for ‘the big one’, it was powerless to stop the force of the ocean. First stop for the team was Sendai, the closest major city to the
earthquake’s epicentre and among the worst Although hit. Coastal areas had been obliterated by an Japan was inescapable wall of water, raging up to ready for ‘the 10m high and travelling 6km inland in some big one’, it was powerless to stop parts. Churning with mud and debris, the wave had swallowed everything in its path the force of the – cars, houses, fishing boats and trees were ocean all picked up and swept along. Confronted by
staggering damage, the ASCE team visited oil terminals and other marine infrastructure to further develop the industry’s body of knowledge and better prepare for future events. “Damage at the Sendai refinery was predominately due to the tsunami, and was almost beyond our comprehension,” Bill recalled. “We saw things that one could only imagine the horror of seeing in real time. Pipelines were projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 5
everywhere; to be described as spaghetti would be an understatement. Repairs will be monumental. Empty large diameter tanks (20-40m) had floated like rubber ducks and landed on top of concrete containment walls or hit other stationary objects. We also observed one oil barge, overturned and leaned against the pipe rack structure more than 100m from the ship channel.” With the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant just 80km to the south, Marc and Bill kept a watchful eye on their radiation dosimeters. Millirem readings were reassuringly low as the contamination proved more localised than first feared, but this proximity to a potential nuclear crisis further emphasised the uphill battle facing those tasked with reconstruction.
Building knowledge Amid the destruction the team found small pockets of resistance. Infrastructure that stood up to this most demanding test now provides a valuable source of information and lessons for the international engineering community. Where innovative, alternative designs or construction methods had survived the twin onslaught of earthquake and tsunami, this evidence can be used to support new approaches or bolster building codes. At the Sendai container terminal complex, as Marc explained, some of the cranes had escaped almost unscathed. “There were four large container cranes in total at the site, two on the older, less damaged portion and two on the newer, more damaged portion. The cranes on the newer portion were something special as they are base-isolated, relying on an invention developed by Dr. Sugano from the Japanese Port and Airport Research Institute (PARI), who was part of our team. Having an opportunity to assess their
Infrastructure that stood up to this most demanding test provides an invaluable source of information
performance was highly constructive and will potentially shape the way this innovation is developed and used across the industry.” The coastal towns of Onagawa, Ofunato and Kesennuma were next on the team’s itinerary, adding to the catalogue of destruction. In Ofunato the team was approached by a local seaweed fisherman, Yosida Yoshio, whose weatherbeaten face told the story of a life at sea. His experience, recounted pragmatically, was typical of many. When the earthquake hit, he realised a tsunami was likely to follow. 6 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
A building flipped on its side with a pile hanging
A car is stranded on top of a three-storey building
He got into his boat and tried to make it to the open water. As he tried to leave the port area the tsunami current pushed him back, then sucked him out to sea. He made it out to water about 130m deep, waiting until the next morning to return. His house, beside the port, had been swamped by waves 6-8m high, while his wife had escaped to high ground in her car. Many residents of neighbouring Onagawa were not so fortunate. “It was reported that as much as 80 per cent of the village population was killed,” said Bill. “The devastation was widespread, with the wave reaching deep into the valley. Cars were on top of five-storey buildings, while a few three-storey buildings had overturned
> projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 7
completely, with piles broken or extending from the foundations. The aftermath was sobering. A whole village, almost entirely swept away, with only a few of the sturdiest structures still standing. This site
The earthqu
gave us all something to think about.”
The long road to recovery
£9 BILLION
As well as contributing to the investigative work of PARI and other organisations
ESTIMATED COST OF DAMAGE TO PROPERTY BY THE EARTHQUAKE
to support rebuilding efforts, Marc and Bill took home a bulging dossier on infrastructure performance under extreme conditions. “We need to take everything we can from these disastrous circumstances,” said Marc, “to build on the body of knowledge available and, hopefully, improve the way we prepare for these events in the future.” The team’s findings will be used to augment existing industry
Cars were on top of fivestorey buildings, while a few threestorey buildings had overturned completely
2.6 MILLION NUMBER OF HOMES LEFT WITHOUT POWER
knowledge, and in some cases may lead to changes in design codes or accepted best practice. Reflecting on the significance of the trip and the scale of what he witnessed, Marc concluded: “As each day began, we had
25,000
NUMBER OF PEOPLE DEAD OR STILL MISSING
no idea of what we would see, or how the damage would affect us personally. The recovery effort is going to take years, if not decades, but the Japanese are determined to rebuild and are doing an incredible job of clearing the countryside. “Even when we were there, just two months after the event, they had already removed much of the debris leaving a barren landscape behind. That said, the Japanese community will need to determine how it wants to rebuild; whether to allow people to return to areas that were inundated and how to protect them if they do.” 8 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
210,000
PEOPLE EVACUATED FROM THE EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR PLANT
25
6
EVA THE
2
IN S O
THE NUMBER OF CENTIM THE EARTH WAS THROW OFF ITS AXIS BY THE POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE
uake in numbers 1,000 TIMES
MORE POWERFUL THAN THE EARTHQUAKE THAT HIT CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND, IN FEBRUARY 2011
600,000
ACUATED FROM EIR HOMES
2.4
EARTHQUAKE EPICENTRE
TOKYO
1.4 MILLION
PEOPLE LEFT WITHOUT ACCESS TO WATER
THE DISTANCE, N METRES, JAPAN WAS SHIFTED EAST FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION
METRES WN
E
139,870 517,050 111,944 DESTROYED BUILDINGS
PARTIALLY DESTROYED BUILDINGS
PARTIALLY DAMAGED BUILDINGS
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 9
Speeding bu Brazil’s high-speed rail link stays on track
Rio de Janeiro
10 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
ullet E
very year over 7 million people travel between Brazil’s two largest cities, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo – 60 per cent of them by air.
When the Trem de Alta Velocidade (TAV) high-speed rail link hurtles into life, a significant proportion of them will be coaxed from congested airports and highways, on to state-of-the-art trains running at speeds of up to 350km/h. Halcrow has played a significant role in the project to date and the company recently signed a major contract extension with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to support the Brazilian government. “This contract builds on our previous work to produce a comprehensive set of feasibility studies and further strengthens Halcrow’s relationship with the IDB and the Brazilian government,” said project director Mark Jeffcott. “We look forward to working with local partners and stakeholders to help Brazil progress this pioneering project in Latin America.” As the sole technical adviser, Halcrow will be responsible for developing the TAV business model, tender preparation and bid evaluation. Once built, the TAV will be the first dedicated high-speed rail link in the Americas. The project represents a step change in service quality, with journey times slashed from five hours by bus to just 90 minutes. It is also expected that the line will play a major role in supporting economic growth between the two cities.
QuanTM leap Halcrow’s previous involvement in
appropriate high-speed alignment
this seminal project included leading
within the project’s demanding time
alignment studies. Using the QuanTM
frame. This success was recognised by
modelling system the team was able to
the British Expertise judging panel at
integrate environmental, engineering,
the organisation’s international awards
cost, community and cultural factors
in 2009, where Halcrow’s work on the
into a single analysis, delivering an
project won innovation of the year.
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 11
Fishing for a better future Halcrow supports United Nations project to rebuild Sri Lanka’s coastal infrastructure
B
y 10am on any other day the
out, along with countless small-
redeveloped and upgraded based on
catch would have already
scale craft. Ten of its 12 fishing
detailed needs assessments, with
been hauled in, sorted and
harbours were severely damaged,
ongoing stakeholder engagement.
whisked away by truck and rickshaw.
including breakwaters, shore
Facilities including net mending
Around this time on 26 December
facilities, buildings, machinery and
halls, fish auction sheds, access
2004, however, people living in Sri
equipment, as well as other related
roads, engine and ice storage,
Lanka’s coastal communities faced
infrastructure such as ice plants,
toilets, electricity and water supply
an unrelenting wall of water and
landing ports, markets and homes in
are set to help local fisher people
debris surging inland.
the fishing community.
get their stock to market and access
The tsunami’s force obliterated everything in its path – levelling
More that 75 per cent of Sri Lanka’s industrial fishing fleet was wiped out by the tsunami
buildings, uprooting trees and
Some six years on, while the
the supply chain as efficiently
splintering the fishing boats pulled
resilience of the community is
as possible.
up along the shore. With two thirds
clearly evident, much of what was
of the country’s coastline directly
destroyed by the tsunami and Sri
To help meet the project objectives,
hit, the effect on the fisheries sector
Lanka’s bloody civil war has yet to be
Halcrow is working with Sri Lanka’s
– on which much of the population
fully rebuilt. Halcrow is supporting
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic
depends – was overwhelming.
a multi-agency project aimed at
Resources Development (MFARD)
supporting the small-scale marine
and the Ceylon Fisheries Harbours
More than 75 per cent of Sri Lanka’s
fisheries sector. Fish landing centres
Corporation to develop a national
industrial fishing fleet was wiped
(FLCs) across the country will be
geographical database of all
12 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
>
Project delivery partners • Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations • Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency • Executed by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development • SANDS is being developed within the National Aquatic Resources Agency
Riding the surf out to boats at anchor in Kalmunai on the south-east coast
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 13
existing FLCs, accessible to all
A river landing site in Polathumodra on the south-west
agencies involved in coastal and
coast. The FAO is building an extension to the
fisheries management. Halcrow’s
jetty at this site to reduce overcrowding
shoreline and nearshore data system (SANDS) is being used to compile and analyse pockets of information already held by various organisations, as well as incorporating additional data gathered more recently. The database will hold technical, geographic, infrastructural, socioeconomic and fishing fleet information covering all known fish landing centres, anchorages and fishing ports, providing an integrated, holistic view of Sri Lanka’s fisheries. “This current project builds on an earlier SANDS database we developed in Sri Lanka back in 2000, so we started with a strong information base,” said SANDS project manager Michael Stickley, who led a series of training and planning workshops for the project partners. “The participants at our seminars were quick to recognise the benefits – SANDS is both a computational and relational database. Users are able to make links between risks – such as
SANDS – how it works and how it can benefit your client Halcrow’s SANDS suite was
information – geospatial, temporal,
decisions. Authorities responsible
developed to help shoreline and
weather, shore condition, climatic,
for flood defences or beach
asset managers, coastal engineers
environmental and asset data.
management, for example, can
and environmental scientists
model a range of flood and erosion
develop a better understanding of
Users are able to visualise
scenarios based on different
coastal processes and management.
correlations between a host of
combinations of asset condition and
different factors, determine the
extreme weather events.
Tailored to suit the needs of specific
probability of various outcomes
clients or projects, SANDS is used
and map the results – all of which
Visit halcrow.com/sands for
to capture, analyse and compare
strengthen asset management
more information.
14 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
storms – and coastal defences and
Hauling in a beach seine at Kalametiya on the southern coast involves the whole community
onshore assets. This relevance has led to SANDS being in hot demand beyond the FLC project and we’re currently discussing the potential for supplementary databases.”
SANDS is delivering a whole host of benefits beyond the original project parameters information management tool,”
extremely valuable tool to support
he said. “This is a great example
the ministry’s objectives. The FLC
Further training is in the pipeline and
of Halcrow fulfilling its purpose to
project is working hard to ensure the
the project is continually evolving
sustain and improve the quality of
SANDS database has a pivotal role to
– with Halcrow’s scope expanding
people’s lives.” FAO project manager
play in the future development and
accordingly. Michael is enthusiastic
Simon Diffey added: “MFARD is
management of the fisheries sector.”
about the direction things are
currently developing a strategic
headed: “SANDS is delivering a whole
management system. With so much
As FLC infrastructure takes shape
host of benefits beyond the original
data to manage in such a complex
around the coastline, Sri Lanka’s
project parameters, demonstrating
and diverse sector, the Halcrow
resilient fishing community can look
its value as a comprehensive
SANDS database is considered an
forward to a more secure future. projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 15
Clean
energy US power team lights path away from fossil fuels
N
ot since 1973 has world
20 per cent. The US – which for
energy use increased by
now retains its title as the world’s
as much, in percentage
largest energy consumer over a
terms, as it did in 2010.
fast-encroaching China – broadly mirrors this spread.
The Economist reported this fact in June 2011, drawn from BP’s annual
Scientists and economists alike
Statistical Review of World Energy,
warn that continued reliance on
which baldly stated that 2010’s
finite resources for another two
energy consumption had risen
decades would be devastating
5.6 per cent on the previous year.
for both the global environment and business. Even with massive
Global energy consumption is
growth, renewable energies are
expected to double by 2030 and
in no position to knock fossil
yet, according to the International
fuels off their perch any time
Energy Agency, 80 per cent of the
soon. However, as Halcrow’s Tom
world’s current generation capacity
Stringfellow explains, a market
comes from burning fossil fuels: oil
for viable alternatives to carbon-
provides 35 per cent of all primary
intensive power is essential if the
energy, coal accounts for 25 per
world is to avoid future energy and
cent and natural gas chips in with
environmental crises.
16 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
“The energy market is approaching a
The next big thing?
watershed,” he said. “The sooner we
With yesterday’s radical innovations
act, the more of a chance we’ll have
swiftly becoming today’s mainstream
to turn things around. Technology
practices, one of Halcrow’s current
development is moving swiftly, and
commissions could herald a new
options that were experimental
direction for energy-from-waste
just a few years ago are now being
generation. In Ohio, the team
delivered on a commercial scale.
is providing owner’s engineer services on a £12.2 million
“Halcrow has the expertise to inform
($20 million) project to convert the
the decisions that will shape our
scrap-tyre mountains that blight
global energy mix in the decades to
the landscape into energy and other
come. Here in the US, we’re working
saleable by products. At present,
on a number of hugely innovative
70 per cent of the 300 million tyres
projects that will surely have a
discarded in the US every year are
bearing on our future direction.”
dumped in landfills, with only 30 per cent salvaged or recycled.
One of Halcrow’s current commissions
Using microwave technology, old
could herald a new direction for
gas to generate electricity, useful
energy-from-waste generation
tyres will be converted into synactivated carbon and diesel oil for use in the transportation industry, with clear environmental benefits.
Halcrow’s involvement in the US market, which spans more than
As well as blazing a new technology
three decades, provides some fitting
trail, Halcrow is working with
examples of the rate of uptake.
municipal electricity providers
The current Americas power and
to develop sustainable energy
energy team includes veterans of the
programmes and improve energy
Department of Energy’s then-cutting-
efficiency in homes and businesses.
edge technology programmes of the early 1980s, including Solar One,
As fossil fuel deposits dwindle and
the pilot solar-thermal project in
emissions caps tighten, governments
California’s Mojave Desert.
and investors around the world are looking to renewable sources
Halcrow also had a hand in the first
to improve sustainability, in both
large demonstrations of fluidised
environmental and supply terms.
bed combustion and biomass gasification in the US, as well as
Renewables are tipped to grow from
pioneering approaches to landfill
a 4 per cent share of the energy mix
gas extraction. Demonstrating
in 2008 to almost 40 per cent by 2035,
the viability of new and emerging
with the largest increase coming in
technologies, these seminal projects
wind and biomass energy. With multi-
paved the way for the larger scale,
million dollar projects being rubber
commercial operations that are now
stamped across the US and beyond,
commonplace and emphasised the
Halcrow’s power and energy business
need for ongoing development.
is poised for big things. projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 17
No barrier to progress Extended life for London’s iconic flood defences
S
panning 520m across the river at Woolwich, the Thames Barrier has
protected London from flooding for almost three decades. The city’s long-term defence strategies hinge on the barrier continuing to fend off tidal surges. Halcrow has played a key role in an ongoing maintenance and refurbishment project since 2001.
18 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
>
The Thames Barrier is operated and maintained by the Environment Agency
projects and people â—† Vox â—† 19
A 2m-wide trunnion
The closed barrier with the
being milled in the 1970s
gates set in underspill position
Image courtesy of the Environment Agency
Stretching from its source in Thames Head, Gloucestershire, the Thames winds eastwards through London before
Halcrow has played a key role in an ongoing maintenance and refurbishment project since 2001
emptying into the sea. The river has sustained human activity for thousands of years, but also poses the greatest threat to those living in its floodplains. Fourteen people drowned and thousands made homeless in 1928 when flood waters swamped the Thames Embankment. Then in 1953, a devastating tidal surge swept in from the North Sea. Water levels rose up to 3m higher than normal in some areas and 307 people lost their lives. Central London escaped unscathed, but the event set the ball rolling for a concerted debate on how to manage flood risk in the capital.
London’s flood risk
Construction of the Thames Barrier began in 1974 and the project was completed just under a decade later. It
Around 1.25 million people live or work below
was called into action almost 40 times during the 1980s
the average high-tide level. Flooding would have
and 1990s. In 1997 MV Sand Kite – a dredging ship sailing
a disastrous impact on the capital, with potential
in thick fog – crashed into one of the piers, dumping its
damage costs estimated at £30 billion. Much of
3,300-tonne load of aggregate as it sank. Swirling around
metropolitan London would be at risk of flooding
in the rushing tides, the gravel scraped and damaged the
without the Thames Barrier and associated flood
gates’ protective coating.
defences. This includes: • a 340km² area of land
The Environment Agency is responsible for managing
• 500,000 properties
the barrier, and initially commissioned Halcrow in 2001
• £80 billion worth of assets
to inspect the structure and supervise necessary repairs
• 30 mainline and 68 Underground / Docklands
to the damaged coating. As well as assessing changing structural loads, the team also carried out a series of trials to explore the scope for improvements, from 20 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
Light Rail stations • 400 schools and 16 hospitals
developments in cathodic protection to applying new coatings using crawler robots. This kicked off Halcrow’s work to support the Environment Agency, which has continued over the ensuing decade. “Inspections served as the catalyst for a much broader assessment of the barrier’s condition,” said water Europe regional director Roland Grzybek. “With the structure approaching the midpoint of its 50-year design life, our role also expanded to help the Environment Agency extend this, from 2030 to 2100.” Following the four-year assessment and upgrade project, Halcrow was retained in 2008 to assist the Environment Agency as it undertook repairs on the main rising sector gate bearings. The barrier’s four main gates, each 62m long and weighing 3,500 tonnes, rotate around a 2m-wide
>
Flooding in east London, 1953 projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 21
Key A Navigation lights
H Trunnion bearings
B Pier roofs
I Concrete cill
C Rocking beams
J Gate spacing (200mm gap
D Shift and latch mechanism
between gate and cill)
E Gate arm
K Service tunnels
F Gate leaf
L Central piers
G Pier cranes
bearing mounted on a steel cone, or trunnion. The trunnions are fixed to the river piers by three post-tensioned bar systems, each capable of taking the full load of the closed gates.
Inspections served as the catalyst for a much broader assessment of the barrier’s condition
A specially developed limpet dam provided safe access to the bearings, which sit below
fixed possession times while the barrier remained operational.” As well as a full inspection and refurbishment of the barrier’s components, the project team developed and installed a series of monitoring devices, including water and
pressure sensors. Remote monitoring gives
the low-tide water level. “We found that some of the
the Environment Agency a much clearer picture of the
post-tensioned bars no longer met the performance
barrier’s performance, in turn enabling a proactive, long-
requirements,” said senior project manager Jon Holland.
term approach to maintenance. Reducing the number of
“We worked closely with the client and the contractor,
physical inspections required also brings considerable
VolkerStevin, to safely re-tension or replace these during
cost savings and slashes safety risks.
22 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
The limpet dam (yellow structure) in place on the circular gate arm
Coating specialists assess the condition of the gates by rope access Diagram courtesy of the Environment Agency
“This series of projects has proved highly successful,” said Environment Agency technical
Inside the limpet dam
specialist Edward Morris. “Extending the barrier’s serviceable life pushes back the
With work being undertaken below the low-tide mark, a
need for replacement defences, providing a
specially designed limpet dam was used to allow the team
sustainable, cost-effective approach to flood
access to the bearing for assessment and re-stressing. The
management for London.”
structure is submerged against the gate arm and the water pumped from its body to provide dry working access.
In March 2011, the Thames Barrier trunnion and bearing refurbishment project won
The dam is equipped with ventilation, lighting and power,
the heritage prize at the Institution of Civil
as well as mechanical handling equipment for the bearing
Engineers London Civil Engineering Awards,
cover plate and tensioning tools.
reflecting the asset’s past, present and future protection of the capital. projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 23
Trains and boats Gdansk rail upgrade promises BOOST TO BALTIC TRADE
N
estled on Poland’s northern coast, Gdansk
“Noise emissions and vibrations will be greatly
is the country’s foremost trading port and
reduced, while planned bridge and culvert upgrades
serves as the primary gateway to the Baltic
will allow farmers to move their livestock safely.” A
Sea. A bustling shipping hub, it straddles Europe’s
complete overhaul of traffic control systems is set to
main transport routes and connects its eastern and
lessen the probability of serious breakdowns clogging
central regions with the west and Scandinavia.
the line. In addition, transporting more cargo by rail is likely to have a positive knock-on effect for road
As part of a consortium, Halcrow is set to deliver
safety, with fewer freight-related accidents.
design and tender documentation for a major rail upgrade to support the port’s future development.
“This contract is likely to net upwards of £1.2 million
A 12.4km stretch of the existing 226 line will
in fees for our consortium, representing one of the
be modernised to meet international combined
most significant rail projects in Halcrow’s Polish
transport standards. The project scope also includes
portfolio,” said Krzysztof. “We already have a strong
a new double-track bridge over the Martwa Wisła
relationship with the client – Polskie Linie Kolejowe
River – literally the ‘Dead Vistula’ – Poland’s great
S.A., which manages Poland’s rail network – and this
south-to-north waterway, which gently curves its way
latest win can only serve to heighten our industry
through the city before emptying into the sea.
profile and help us secure future work.”
Gdansk’s continued status as the Baltic coast’s
Since its accession to the European Union in 2004
pre-eminent port hinges on its connectivity, with the
Poland has kicked off a programme of accelerated
rail upgrade crucial for future expansion. Similarly,
infrastructure development, further fuelled by
land-locked countries such as the Czech Republic,
its performance as one of the region’s standout
Slovakia, Belarus and Hungary rely on regional
performers. A wholesale overhaul of the country’s
transport networks for the safe, speedy movement of
transportation networks is in full swing, and this
goods to and from the port.
latest upgrade will connect Gdansk to the main trunk railway, the E65, for which Halcrow is
“Rebuilding the railway line will bring a host of
currently exploring high-speed options. All this
associated benefits for nearby communities and the
points to a bright future for Poland and its flourishing
environment,” said rail director Krzysztof Celinski.
strategic port.
24 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
and cranes
The existing rail bridge at Gdansk
Gdansk Port
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 25
project news in brief Halcrow is part of the winning consortium awarded a £150 million contract to design and build a section of the A465 Heads of the Valleys trunk road in South Wales. In the UK, the Broadlands flood alleviation scheme recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary. Broadland Environmental Services Limited (BESL) – a partnership between Halcrow and
Norfolk Broads, UK
contractor BAM Nuttall – is delivering the 20-year public-private partnership
Halcrow has been awarded two
A major new container and ethanol
contract to maintain and improve the
contracts worth a total of £1.5 million
terminal is set to take shape
flood defences of the Norfolk Broads in
to improve Al Ain Municipality’s
in Santos, Brazil, with Halcrow
East Anglia.
geographic information system (GIS)
contracted to provide engineering
data, in partnership with engineering
services on the project’s first phase.
Tangshan LNG terminal
and geospatial software provider Intergraph Middle East.
Halcrow has been awarded the design contract for a 550m-long, four-lane
The company has been appointed
bridge for Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Al
to plan, design and supervise the
Reem Island development. The sea
construction of a new base for the
crossing includes an additional 12.5m
The China National Petroleum
Indian Navy. The contract scope will
width requirement to accommodate a
Company has appointed Halcrow as
cover the marine and operations
proposed light rail transit corridor.
owner’s engineer for the Tangshan
sections of the naval base, the
liquefied natural gas terminal in
supporting development for which
Dubai Mall is the world’s largest
northern China.
will be spread over 1,860ha near
shopping mall, covering an area
Visakhapatnam in southern India.
greater than 50 football pitches. A Halcrow-designed, 750m-long
Halcrow Barry – Halcrow’s joint venture with JB Barry of Dublin –
The world’s longest sea crossing
pedestrian bridge will connect the
beat off stiff competition to provide
bridge will bear Halcrow’s stamp, with
Burj Khalifa metro station to the
engineering consultancy services for
the company set to design a section
shopping centre.
the new N5 Ballaghadereen Bypass in
of the 36km-long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-
County Roscommon, Ireland.
Macau crossing.
Mining giant Rio Tinto has appointed Halcrow to design mine buildings and
Connecting Kamień and Solec City
support facilities in western Australia.
in Poland, a proposed £52 million bridge will replace the current ferry
The company has been awarded
service and dramatically reduce the
a major extension to its existing
distances people must travel to cross
standards adviser and auditor role for
the Vistula River. Halcrow has been awarded the design contract. 26 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau crossing
Transport Scotland, set to run until September 2012.
Awa rds In Trinidad, Halcrow is providing comprehensive design services on a 42km extension of the Sir Solomon Hochoy highway. The original highway was designed by Halcrow in the 1970s. The Russian Federation’s first waste management project to be financed through a public-private partnership will feature significant input from Halcrow. The company has been appointed lender’s technical adviser
Three Halcrow inland waterways projects were recognised at the UK’s Waterways Renaissance Awards in May. The Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway project has been supported by Halcrow for over ten years and took home the award for strategy and master planning. It also claimed the outstanding achievement award, which gives special recognition to an inspiring project. Three Mills Lock in east London won the design and construction category, while Ryeford Double Lock on the Stroudwater Navigation in Gloucestershire was runner up in the historic environment awards category.
for the £264 million (€300 million) project, which includes the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a waste processing plant in Yanino.
Halcrow’s Tabindah Akhtar (right) with members of the British Waterways team
Abbot Point coal terminal
Halcrow has been contracted by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) to provide engineering management for the early contractor involvement phase of a major development at Abbot Point coal terminal in Australia. This follows another Halcrow contract win from NQBP – the design of an upgraded breakwater in Mackay to replace one that was badly damaged by Cyclone Ului in March 2010. Halcrow has been appointed by Essar Projects (India) Limited to carry out the detailed design of marine structures associated with the development of an all-weather terminal at Dahej, Gujarat.
Four marketing projects produced by Halcrow’s corporate communications team were recognised at the 2011 Hermes creative awards. External client magazine Exceptional experiences and a Halcrowproduced short film, ‘Designing financing models for sustainable infrastructure’, both won the top accolade of a platinum award. The internal newsletter for Halcrow’s North American offices, eNews, snapped up a gold award and the Halcrow 2011 calendar won an honourable mention. Halcrow won the commercial and business services sector award at the UK’s prestigious Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) occupational health and safety awards 2011. Ontario’s Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, for which Halcrow Yolles provided structural engineering services, received the jury’s choice award at Canada’s tenth annual WoodWorks! Awards. The Halcrow-designed Docklands Light Railway London City Airport extension won ‘best built project five years on’ at the 2010-2011 London Planning Awards.
Accrington rail station in Lancashire, UK, won the sustainability project prize at the 2011 North West Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards. Halcrow provided a variety of services for this project, including building services, structural and civil engineering, and acoustic consultancy. Halcrow’s global headquarters, Elms House, was one of six finalists in the refurbished workplace category at the British Council of Offices 2011 regional awards for London. Halcrow has won a prestigious Environment Agency exemplar award for its role in the UK’s Radcot Paddle and Rymer Weir replacement project. The Pembroke Power Station gas pipeline in Wales has won the George Gibby 2011 award at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Wales Cymru project awards. The horizontal directional drilling crossing project was also commended at the 2011 Ground Engineering Awards, in the category for geotechnical and geoenvironmental UK projects over £1 million. Two Halcrow Yolles projects bagged awards at the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction’s (CISC) 21st Ontario Steel Design Awards of Excellence. Toronto’s iconic Ritz-Carlton project was recognised in the engineering category, while Calgary’s first steel skyscraper and its tallest building, The Bow, won the section dedicated to innovative schemes constructed beyond Ontario. The Bow tower also took centre stage at CISC’s 2011 Alberta Steel Design Awards of Excellence. Halcrow Yolles provided structural design services for the project, which both topped the engineering category and was a finalist in the architecture and engineering section.
The Bow Tower
The Blackpool central area coast protection scheme won large project of the year at the ICE’s north west civil engineering awards.
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 27
Giving
28 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
A hand up, not a hand out Halcrow Foundation supports village development project in Thailand
O
ne criticism often
through the Village Development
levelled at international
Partnership (VDP). Focusing on five
aid surrounds its
inter-related areas – community
long-term effectiveness. Non-
empowerment, income generation,
governmental organisations arrive in
health, environmental improvement
underdeveloped or disaster-stricken
and education – this multi-agency
areas, so the accusation goes, hand
umbrella helps rural communities
out emergency supplies and then
lift themselves out of poverty, rather
pull out, leaving the recipients ill-
than providing a short-term fix.
equipped and largely dependent on external help.
Baan Klang is a remote settlement near the border with Cambodia and
A community-level poverty alleviation
home to some 600 people. The village
programme in south-east Asia has
lacked a permanent healthcare
flipped this model on its head, and
centre or piped water supply, with
Baan Klang village in Thailand’s
residents relying on surface water
Buriram province exemplifies its
collected from wells. As rice farming
success. The Halcrow Foundation has
provided the main source of both
supported Baan Klang since 2009
income and food, a poor harvest
>
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 29
Tub Udomsiri “I am so glad this project was introduced to our village. We understand it’s important to keep money aside and villagers can borrow money to do business. I want this to last forever.”
Baan Klang villagers with employees from Halcrow and the PDA
> could easily destroy livelihoods.
The average annual income in Baan Klang stood at just 11,666 baht (£234), forcing families to subsist on 64p (US$1.05) per person per day, without taking children into account. This left the community languishing well below the international poverty line, creating a daily struggle to fulfil even the most basic human needs. The foundation’s involvement began in May 2009, but the seeds were sown the previous year. In April 2008, village leaders decided to join the VDP Green fingers: villagers plant young trees
30 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
Preparing soil bags for planting seedlings
project and a democratically elected
The committee developed a strategy
committee was formed to manage
to steer the six-year programme,
the programme. The 24 members
reflecting the village’s specific needs
were split into three subcommittees,
and objectives. At its heart was the
each tasked with representing
village co-operative bank which
different ages and issues. The
opened for business in May 2010, a
village youth government (VYG)
year after work to establish it began.
was established to speak for those aged between 14 and 24, the village
“Micro-finance and the village
development bank (VDB) committee
development bank are key to the
would deal with the concerns of 25
project’s sustainability,” said project
to 54-year olds, and the council of
sponsor Ali Adam. “Villagers have
elders sought to represent residents
access to affordable loans, as well
aged 55 and above.
as support and training to ensure
>
‘Mr Condom’ turns attention to poverty alleviation The Village Development Partnership is the brainchild of Thailand’s Mechai Viravaidya, affectionately known as ‘Mr Condom’. In the 1970s Mechai set up the Population and Community Development Association (PDA), with the aim of promoting family planning, improving sexual health and alleviating poverty. Thousands of free condoms have been distributed in poor communities – a move supported by education programmes and speaking openly about contraception – which have saved countless lives and slowed the spread of HIV/AIDS. The PDA also runs several ‘Condoms and Cabbages’ restaurants around Thailand, where patrons can get information on sexual health over dinner. Mechai’s belief that “only business can eradicate poverty” underpins the VDP model, providing support for community empowerment and sustainable entrepreneurship.
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 31
Open for business: selling handicrafts generates income for families
Prangtip Sudtachu “I am applying what I’ve learned at school to support the community in various ways. It’s a good way for us to develop youth philanthropy and help others as much as possible. In the future I would like to take a loan to start my own retailing business.” their small businesses thrive. These
Engaging the next generation is
successes then further strengthen
crucial for the project’s long-term
the project – the loans are repaid,
viability and it’s clear the young
and the community is more
people of Baan Klang have picked
supplement pupils’ diets and combat
prosperous as a result of flourishing
up the idea and run with it. The
malnutrition. The garden also
small enterprises.” Residents set
Green Village Toy Library is just one
provides an opportunity for students
up a host of ventures including silk
of several youth initiatives that has
to learn about agriculture.
weaving, raising pigs, producing
captured imaginations and proved
seedlings and fertiliser for rice
an overwhelming success. Children
Improving the health of local people
farming, potable water bottling,
can borrow toys in exchange for
is another central strand of the
vegetable and sugar cane cultivation,
community work such as collecting
partnership. “There was a big drive
and a small grocery store.
recyclables. These are then sold in
to reduce infection rates for dengue
local towns to maintain the library
fever, HIV/AIDS and influenza,” said
and buy new toys.
Ali. “The village health volunteers
Community activities have created a sense of ownership and
met with villagers of all ages to get
empowerment. Over the past two
Second-hand computers donated
the messages across, as well as
years, the committee has organised
to the village bank are also being
carrying out practical measures such
village clean-ups, the refurbishment
used to teach young people
as treating water sources to repel
of the Ban Pho Yoi temple, wellbeing
valuable IT skills. A ‘lunch farm’
mosquitoes. Some 550 people from
programmes and the planting of
has been planted in the school
Baan Klang and surrounding villages
15,000 trees.
grounds, providing fresh produce to
attended a workshop organised by
32 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
School students prepare seed bags for tree planting
the youth government to learn about
Thongkham Chamnanthae
preventing the spread of swine flu
“Part of the profit from the village bank is
– a really important initiative that
allocated to development activities, so the
benefited a huge number of people.”
money stays in the village and helps the community. The project also teaches
In 2010, a group of Halcrow
people how to save money and manage
employees from the Bangkok office
their own expenses.
visited Baan Klang. After being
We want Halcrow to come and visit us more
formally welcomed by the village
often to encourage the villagers to work even
development committee, the team
harder for our future.”
visited the tree-planting site, various small businesses and the local
The Halcrow Foundation has
self-sufficient, both financially and in
primary school. Wiriya Pienchob said:
committed £40,000 to the project
terms of the institutions now firmly
“It was fantastic to see the village’s
over six years: money very well
embedded in village life. It really
progress first hand and speak to
spent, according to chairman David
demonstrates the power of community
people about how their quality of life
Kerr. “The amount that has been
engagement and what can be
has improved. We’re looking forward
achieved on this limited budget is
accomplished when people are given a
to visiting again in the future.”
just staggering. The project is wholly
chance to help themselves.” projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 33
To remember Harry Arnold (1925 – 2011) A ‘big harbours’ designer Former Halcrow partner Harry Arnold
dock, and a handful of projects in Saudi
mid-1970s prices, and Harry was
died early in 2011, aged 86.
Arabia – the twin harbour complex at
responsible for pulling the whole
Jubail, port developments at Jeddah,
project together – a feat he achieved
Harry joined the company in 1947 and
and a cement terminal and commercial
with distinction.”
retired in 1986 after 39 years of service,
deepwater harbour facilities at Yanbu.
the last 13 of which he headed its marine
Without exception, this infrastructure
Even as he scaled Halcrow’s management
department. Maritime projects dominated
has proved pivotal to each country’s
ranks, Harry remained a quintessential
Halcrow’s work during this period, with
subsequent development.
designer, always interested in the
designs for some of the largest ports in
technical aspects of maritime design.
the world propelling the company to the
“The scale of the ports at Jubail was
In addition to serving as a member of
top of Engineering News Record’s list of
massive,” said Malcolm Fletcher, who
several international associations and
consulting engineers.
admired Harry’s skills over the years.
committees, Harry authored a number of
“Halcrow had to plan, design and
technical papers on engineering design
Harry was instrumental in delivering
supervise five separate contracts for
and construction.
major projects around the globe,
the two main harbours. In total this
including Ghana’s Tema port, Dubai dry
amounted to well over £1 billion in
He is survived by his wife, Jean.
Brian Murray (1929 – 2010) Visionary figure helped build Philippines business In his younger
for the Philippines and for Halcrow’s
presence in the Philippines through his
years, motorcycle
profile in the country. These included
extensive contacts.
enthusiast Brian
the Philippines’ first bio-ethanol project,
Murray toured the
Sibulan hydroelectric project, as well as
Brian is remembered as an archetypal
UK on his trusty
feasibility studies for several wind farms.
English gentleman who embraced
1947 500cc Triumph
Filipino culture and considered the
Speed Twin. This thirst for adventure,
After serving in the British armed forces
country his second home. He always
travel and challenging experiences was
during the 1950s, Brian moved to Hong
made time to mentor younger colleagues,
evident in every facet of his life.
Kong to take on a regional management
sharing his knowledge and experience.
role with the English Electric Company.
Brian was diagnosed with cancer in 2009
Brian enjoyed an expansive career that
After two decades at Jardine Davies as
and died shortly after making a final visit
saw him travel the world and settle in
chairman of the company’s Philippines
to the Manila office.
the Philippines. He worked for Halcrow
subsidiaries, he set up his own company
from 2004 until his death in 2010, and
in 1981, Murray Management, aimed
Brian was a loving father, trusted friend
was instrumental in developing the
at helping foreign companies establish
and reliable colleague. A true visionary,
company’s local energy portfolio.
business in the Philippines.
his role in establishing Halcrow in the
Brian played a pivotal role in securing
Philippines will always be treasured. He
high-profile renewable energy projects,
Brian began to build strong links with
is survived by his wife, Leslie, and their
many of which proved seminal – both
Halcrow in 2004, helping to amplify its
two children.
34 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
To send condolences pensionsteam@halcrow.com
Simon Jones (1960 – 2011)
Exemplary bridge engineer who shared knowledge and experience Simon Jones passed away at home on 21 February 2011.
In remembrance Ivor Price passed away on 21 July 2011. He was 83. Ivor worked for Halcrow between 1976 and 1986 and is survived by his partner, Vera Hamblin. Margaret Moore died on 6 May 2011, aged 74. She is survived by her husband, Michael. Margaret worked for Halcrow between 1976 and 1982. Derek Raven died on 16 April 2011. He was 72. Derek worked for
Simon joined
Halcrow between 1974 and 1998 and is survived by his wife, Belkia.
Halcrow’s Manchester
Allan Muir passed away on 20 April 2011, aged 87. Survived by
bridges team in
wife Muriel, Allan worked for Halcrow from 1976 until 1985.
August 2006 as a
Christopher Davis, aged 64, died on 7 February 2011. He worked
senior engineer. His
for the company between 1973 and 1978.
extensive experience
Max Fuller died on 21 January 2011. Aged 77, he is survived by his
in the rail sector
wife, Cvetka. Max worked for Halcrow from 1974 until 1983.
helped Halcrow win a number of Network Rail commissions, in particular reconstruction and repair schemes for bridges and culverts along the Cumbrian Coast Railway. Most recently, Simon supported A-one+ in Area 10 on a range of schemes and was heavily involved in feasibility studies for managed motorway schemes. He also worked closely with the Environment Agency on flood alleviation schemes in the UK’s north west region and the Lake District. Simon was a focal point of the team and shared his knowledge with colleagues, taking time to explain technical issues. He is remembered as a calm, talented pragmatist, approaching tasks with minimum fuss. Simon was a keen cyclist before his health deteriorated. He was also an avid spectator and sports fan, travelling as far as Asia to watch Formula One Grand Prix racing. A Leeds United supporter, his love for the ‘beautiful game’ saw him join the ranks of die-hard football aficionados in the ‘92 Club’, having attended a match at every club in the English professional league. Simon also loved music, especially soul – a passion
Andrew Skinner passed away on 3 December 2010, aged 55. He worked for Halcrow between 1989 and 1993, and is survived by his wife, Catherine. Sarah Jane Sharp (nee Oswald) died on 11 November 2010. She was 45. Sarah worked for Halcrow between 1994 and 1996 and is survived by her husband, Geoffrey. Constantine Antonakis passed away on 11 November 2010, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife, Ann. Constantine worked for Halcrow between 1949 and 1980. John May died on 12 February 2011. Aged 76, he is survived by his wife, Doris. JS Cowie died on 18 April. He was 78. Mr Cowie worked for Halcrow between 1964 and 1974. Judith Jones died on 19 August 2011, aged 70. She is survived by her husband, John, who also worked for Halcrow. Judith worked from the Cardiff office between 1978 and 1997. Claire Taylor passed away on 16 July 2011, aged 32. Claire worked as a human resources adviser in Elms House. Chris Strong died on 15 July 2011, aged 55. Chris worked for Halcrow as a safety assurance professional from 2004 and was based in London. He is survived by his wife, Jill.
expressed through his extensive record collection.
Malcolm Bell, who worked for Halcrow between 1989 and 2008,
Simon’s quiet presence will be greatly missed by his colleagues
John Marsden died on 8 July 2011, aged 66. He is survived by his
and friends.
wife, Susan.
died on 8 May 2011. He was 67.
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 35
sport
(L-R) Hayley Davis, Neil Smith, Michael Little, David Strong, Paul Gregory, Upul Wijayananda
Sydney team sets the pace On a beautiful April day in Sydney, six brave souls from Halcrow swam, cycled and ran their way through the 2011 corporate triathlon.
“I love the sense my team mates and I share of just taking part together” Upul suffered sleep deprivation on
some 15 minutes faster than that
the day, having stayed up to watch
of their colleagues. Still some way
The hardy competitors, all based
the cricket World Cup final between
behind the fastest team, though,
in Halcrow’s Sydney office, formed
India and his native Sri Lanka.
who came in with just one hour and
two teams. Hayley Davis, Neil
21 minutes on the clock.
Smith and Michael Little – who was
The event has been running for 24
persuaded to take part only two
years and attracts a diverse range
“I’ve been doing this triathlon for
days beforehand – made up the
of participants, from the carbon-
four years now,” said David, “and
Black Cats, while the Halcrow Go
fibre-bike-riding enthusiast to the
it just gets better every year. The
Gos comprised Paul Gregory, David
weekend dabbler. Most participants
atmosphere and organisation are
Strong and Upul Wijayananda.
complete the course in around 40
first-rate, and I love the sense my
minutes, and individual efforts are
team mates and I share of just
aggregated to give a team time.
taking part together. I’d like to
Commitment to pre-race training varied across the group. David
see our Melbourne colleagues
Strong admitted to having gone
Step forward the Black Cats, whose
doing the Melbourne event next
swimming once at New Year, while
time was just under two hours,
year, too.”
36 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
aiming for a clean sweep
Alasdair Guthrie sets his sights on 2014 winter Olympics What does it take to win an Olympic gold medal? Constant training, peak fitness, the desire to win and… great brushing skills? If you’re aiming for the very pinnacle of success in curling, nifty brushwork could
Brush with success: Alasdair slides into action
help your stone glide to glory, as
Alasdair has now set his sights
Olympic hopeful Alasdair Guthrie
on representing Great Britain at
will testify.
the 2014 winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi.
Glasgow-based Alasdair has swept his way to glory in a series of key
“This year, my team and I have
international contests in recent
been selected as part of the Scottish
“Curling has given me some great
years. A two-time winner of the
national curling squad,” he said.
opportunities to travel to some
Scottish junior championships, he
“I’m following an intensive training
interesting places and also to develop
represented Scotland at the World
regime which involves monitored gym
team and communication skills
Junior Championships in South
sessions every week and an on-ice
which are very much needed in day-
Korea in 2006 and the US in 2007.
practice programme with my team.
to-day life.”
Earlier this year, Alasdair and his
“I’m hoping that the experience
Alasdair first started curling
team mates represented Great
of competing against some of the
20 years ago when his family moved
Britain at the World University Games
best teams in Europe and Canada
to Scotland. He and his sister were
in Erzurum, Turkey, where they
combined with the intensive training
taught by their father Alan, a Halcrow
missed scooping a bronze by the
will help me to get selected for the
employee who is also based in the
narrowest of margins.
2014 games.
Glasgow office. projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 37
Announcements
ing 3.59kg, to n on 1 May 2011, weigh Evelyn Aurora was bor w Yolles Calgary shbrook of the Halcro happy parents Ian Wa li and Anna phanie. Older sisters Kae office and his wife, Ste to the family. by the latest addition were especially excited
Alexia Dominique was born on 24 October 2010, weighing 2.86kg, to proud parents Jaymi Esteban of the Manila office and his wife, Lanie.
Florida’s Steve LoPorcaro and his wife, Lisa, welcomed Marco Robert on 26 December 2010, weighing 2.98kg. s Toronto office and Wesley Peter of the Halcrow Yolle birth of Chloe Anouk his wife, Veronique, celebrated the on 16 January 2011. She weighed
3.38kg.
Adam Kenny Enticott arrived on 17 January 2011, weighing 3.2kg, to dad Mark and mum Karen from Chichester.
Saravanan Thangavelu took a break from his role on the Lusail development in Qatar to marry his beautiful bride, Subathra, on 26 January 2011. The celebrations took place in Thanjavur, southern India.
38 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
e Lyall) tied the and Lucy Thacker (ne Swindon-based Gerard y’s home town. 2010 in Norwich, Luc knot on 6 November rk together at t at university and wo The couple – who me gnon, France. their honeymoon in Avi Burderop Park – spent
Dublin’s Michelle Murray married husband Garrett in County Kildare, Ireland. The weather gods were smiling on the big day, 22 July 2011, and the couple’s 90 guests partied into the early hours.
Edinburgh’s Mike Roberts and his wife, Cathy, were overjoyed with the arrival of baby Matthew, little brother to dearly missed Cameron. Born on 29 November 2010, he weighed 3.66kg.
London-based Haidee Harrison and her groom Alex Hudson celebrated their marriage in the sunshine, with family 0, born on 17 October 201 Noah Peter James was Glass nburgh-based Jason weighing 3.12kg, to Edi
and friends at their village wedding on 30 July 2011.
and his wife, Sarah.
projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 39
Tales of the
d a e d n u
Iain Paton creates a zombie-inhabited world of horror
“T
he cloying stench of
cemented his place in the macabre
corruption filled Stefan’s
world of the undead, with 15 stories
mouth and nostrils as the
published to date and first prize in
skull-face leered forward, yellowed
the recent Spilling Ink 2011 short
fangs poised to bite and tear. He
story competition.
lost his balance, falling backwards onto the grass. Withered claws slid
Joining his work already in print,
sharply into the taut flesh between
several tales are set to chill readers’
his ribs, rending meat and gouging
spines in the coming months –
deeply before grasping his heart in
‘Preacher man’, based in part on
unbearable agony…”
his day job, and ‘Mira’, which is due to feature in the aptly named Dark
Iain Paton knows fear. As the excerpt
Tales magazine. Iain has also found
from his story Blood in the moonlight
time to co-edit an anthology to
illustrates above, stomach-knotting,
support rebuilding efforts in Japan
dry-throated horror is his forte. An
– Senbazuru, or A Thousand Cranes,
avid reader for as long as he can
now in its final stages of production.
remember, Iain enrolled in a creative writing course back in 2008. The
While samurai-wielding killers
transformation from consumer of
and zombies gorging on human
fiction to creator came swiftly, with
flesh provide action and intrigue in
his Japanese horror story ‘Mira’
their own right, Iain also explores
accepted for publication the following
the response extreme events elicit
year. Fast forward 24 months and the
in his characters. “Zombies are
Edinburgh-based urban planner has
interesting to write about,” he said,
40 ◆ Vox ◆ projects and people
“especially the human reaction to
Glasgow Writers’ Group urged me to
such overwhelming disaster and
turn it into a novel. The core idea was
the suspense that follows. Usually
still there, but I built around it and
it’s someone getting out of their
added a cast of characters including
depth into a disturbing situation,
the corrupt politician ‘Big Jim’
sometimes through their own fault,
McConnarty, and a final showdown
and struggling to get back to shore
in Japan.”
– will they make it? It’s a journey as well, for the writer, building a world
Most evenings after work Iain can
that is new to them and the reader.”
be found tapping away at his latest manuscript, sending his characters
With his stories traversing centuries and continents, from feudal Japan to the gritty streets
Most evenings after work Iain can be found tapping away at his latest manuscript, sending his characters into eerie back alleys and recently occupied graveyards
of modern Glasgow, Iain invests countless hours
into eerie back alleys and recently occupied graveyards. “Writing is amazing, once you get into it and master the basic skills,” he said, “especially when you get into a creative community. It’s addictive
researching
– I can’t remember the last time I
different time
watched TV. There is an amazing
periods. Several
level of creativity in many cities, at
visits to Japan
the grassroots level, that provides
to wander the
inspiration and motivation.”
twisting alleys of Yokohama and Kamakura have
imbued his narratives with authenticity and subtle nuances.
From desperate students selling their souls on eBay to an architect transformed into a giant insect and eerie clowns hurtling through the
His personal experiences also find
night in a minibus, Iain’s stories push
their way into his writing. Daily
readers to the limits of their fear
occurrences are cast in the dark
threshold. Only he knows where his
shadow of the macabre; an infected
imagination will take them next.
cat bite providing the inspiration for one story. Having mastered the short story medium, Iain is now branching into longer formats with his first novel – a blood-spattered crime thriller. The story follows sword-wielding psychopath Banzai Billy – part Japanese warrior, part Glasgow hardman – as he slashes his way across the globe. “The idea came out of a short story competition,” said Iain. “It wasn’t a great short story as it had far too much going on, so
Licensed to thrill Click the titles to order Iain’s latest creations
Preacher Man Storm Coming Down Mira
my hugely supportive peers at the projects and people ◆ Vox ◆ 41
BIG Think
Major projects are at the heart of Halcrow’s growth strategy, with £450 million of earnings targeted by 2018.
Be part of the story.
Major projects Halnet/who we are/major projects
building our future