Clifford Devlin were awarded a fit-out contract for a new project known as “The Digital Lab Experience” for a pharmaceutical company. The works under this project involved the production of new areas forming the creation of a high-tech digital experience room charting the progression of medical advances over the years, a mock operating theatre including bed and scrub areas, a break out area for visitors and clients including a common area upgrade.

The works comprised of the termination of services, soft strip including removal of ceiling partitions, floor finishes, fixtures and fittings, followed by fit out of the areas including partitions, ceiling, mechanical & electrical, joinery, soft furnishings, floor finishes, window blinds, automated sliding glass door and decorations, screen printed walls, followed by client FFE, IT and audio visual.

We operated a fully controlled Site Waste Management strategy that aligned with the key tenets of best waste management planning. The clearance and recycling of a “waste by type” segregation strategy was fully implemented throughout the works. The material clearance process, recycling targets and actual performances were controlled, monitored and recorded under an appropriately accredited and project specific Site Waste Management scheme that had been developed and tailored to suit the distinct phases of the works.

Clifford Devlin has developed a strong reputation for delivering quality refurbishment and fit-out projects.

One of our most recent projects is the refurbishment and upgrade works in Kings Cross which comprised of an M&E package, installation of active fire protection, 1st and 2nd fix joinery, full bathroom and kitchen fit out, decorations and testing and commissioning.

The works were carried out on behalf of the Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust and consisted of an enabling package of works to facilitate placing of a new modular theatre complex at Orpington Hospital. The installation is eventually to be linked into the Canada Wing at the hospital, in the next phase of works. The Canada Wing is the primary building at this NHS location.

Carrying out the work required our delivery team to work closely with the hospital’s logistics team, as the area immediately adjacent to the proposed new build site, serves the hospital for essential deliveries and some overflow parking. Ensuring our work did not interfere or negatively impact the smooth running of the hospital was a paramount consideration.

The Canada Wing and the remainder of the hospital site stayed operational and was used throughout by the public, staff and visitors to the hospital during the works.

Following the completion of a specialist ground penetrating radar survey exercise to identify any sub-terranean utilities, the foundations for the modular structure were set out and excavated to a depth of 1.5m. Spoil arising from the excavation was removed off site on a continuous basis, as there was very limited room for stock piling. Having made provision for drainage installation, the concrete foundations were poured sequentially and allowed to cure. With the foundations completed, our team followed on with the installation of formwork, allowing concrete stub columns to be created. Finally, all of the relevant drainage connections were completed and tested and the site handed back to the client.

Clifford Devlin were appointed to carry out the replacement of a flat roof of the main office building while in occupation for a global pharmaceutical company in West London. The replacement roof included a new proprietary system and localised making good / overlaying of the existing substrates with a new weathering / finishes layer.

Due to plant and air conditioning units being located on the roof deck, any waterproofing system used had to be low odour as to not impact the occupants inside the live working environment. The chosen Centaur APA Waterproofing system has proven to be low odour whilst offering better thermal values and easier to maintain for the client.

The two re-waterproofed roof decks were completed in phases within 4 months with minimal disruption to the occupants.

Planned works to refurbish the main reception of the facility were brought forward to coincide with, and make use of, the site set-up arrangements in situ for a major glazing replacement programme. As the incumbent contractor on site, Clifford Devlin were invited to carry out the work having successfully delivered a similar project to refurbish Block B.

Our site team planned and supervised the work of a number of specialist subcontractors to bring the high-specification vision of the project's architect, Mansfield Monk, to life.

The facility's reception was temporarily relocated during the 14-week project. Strip-out of existing fixtures and fittings was mostly undertaken out-of-hours to minimise disruption and noise. This was followed by the installation of four new toilets. The floor was re-laid with a combination of timber-effect tiles complemented by plain grey Domus tiles.

The installation of a video wall display, five metres in height and comprising nine TV screens behind a new purpose-made curved corian reception desk provides the principle feature of the reception entrance.

The area was fitted-out with new fixtures/fittings including:

• State-of-the-art credenza drinks unit comprising a coffee making machine using the latest iPad controlled technology
• Luggage storage area
• iPad-compatible digital entry system for visitors to check in before proceeding past the newly installed glass balustrade

Finally the lighting system was enhanced and the area was redecorated and new soft furnishings installed.

Clifford Devlin was appointed to carry out remodelling and refurbishment of the 3rd floor of an office block in London's West End used by the global pharma company as its London Innovation Centre. The multidisciplined project involved strategic strip-out, bespoke high-end joinery, installation of ceilings, floors, partitions, M&E and IT reconfiguration using in-house/ sub-contract operatives.

The main reception received a new Corian-clad reception desk, purpose-made planters and a new acoustic-slatted suspended ceiling complete with circular (GRG) ceiling trough with feature lighting. The scope included creating new internal workspaces including three new meeting rooms one of which was soundproofed with fabric-wrapped acoustic panels and folding wall The rooms were fitted with glazed partitions featuring a bespoke molecular graphic design and fully integrated with the existing IT/AV systems.

Four fully equipped modular office 'quiet pods' were installed to create soundproof single-use workspaces. Two new kitchenettes were installed and fitted with Corian worktops. A free-standing acoustic wall screen was assembled on-site and installed using metal uprights concealed in MDF panels between the kitchens and the main open-plan area clad in purpose made oak slats.

The floor's building systems including fire/intruder alarm and CCTV both were reconfigured to accommodate the new layout. The floors were upgraded with ceiling tiles and timber-effect vinyl together with new carpet tiles and the lighting system upgraded throughout.

Challenging aspects of the project included managing deliveries / internal storage for plant / equipment and materials due to a lack of exterior footprint for a site compound. The floors immediately above and below remained occupied (including a private healthcare clinic below) requiring out-of-hours noisy works, segregation of access / egress routes and coordination with their representatives and property managers, Savills.

Testimonial:

This is a great example of a collaborative building project where all participants contributed to its success. Clifford Devlin were able to expertly sequence and coordinate multiple specialist disciplines to bring the architect's creative vision and specification to life with the end result exceeding the client's expectations.
Graham Clarke, Director, FHP Engineering Services Solutions

Following a two-stage competitive tendering process, Clifford Devlin was appointed to replace the main roof glazing throughout the interconnecting offices of seven blocks including full roof light reglazing and curtain walling to the reception area of a pharmaceutical facility.

Works were planned to progress on a block by block basis. Each of the seven blocks had an individual temporary scaffold roof installed to keep the areas of work weathertight. Access to the glazed areas was gained via a complex stepped scaffold system which was designed and installed by our specialist scaffold subcontractor.

The largest of the seven temporary roofs over the main reception block employed the use of a  rollback temporary roof covering system allowing the temporary roof to be opened at key stages of the project to enable removal of redundant glazing. The new large glazed units were lowered through the temporary roof into their permanent position and, once in place, the scaffold roof sections would be rolled back into position. This enabled us to maintain internal environmental conditions regardless of inclement weather.

Working from the scaffold deck, harnessed operatives carefully removed the old glazing units along with the existing PVC/Aluminium framework and fixings using a combination of running rails / block and tackle which were lowered to ground using mobile cranes. These were then replaced with a new glazing system, designed and specified by George Harwood Ltd and installed by the manufacturer's approved subcontractor Façade Glass Solutions.

The new system involved the replacement of all glazing and glazing bar support work /systems followed by the installation of:

• Purpose-made extruded aluminium powder coated glazing bars, components and associated powder coated cladding panels
• 900 sqm of double-glazed Standip safety laminated glass with outer layer of Securite Coolite safety glass
• Curtain walling
• Visible grid-type system double glazed units
• 47 sqm of Standip safety glazing installed to the main reception

The project has enhanced the building's thermal efficiency as well as its appearance. All wastes were segregated into individual material streams on site and removed to a local facility for recycling. Extensive planning and stakeholder liaison enabled the works to be conducted while the site remained live throughout. Our project team worked closely with counterparts in the client's team, the site FM company, Sodexho, as well as other members of the professional team to ensure an efficient and streamlined project which minimised disruption to the site.

Care was taken to ensure the works were carried out as unobtrusively as possible. A traffic management plan, which was submitted for approval during the lead-in phase, contained our proposals to ensure site logistics were segregated from the client's day-to-day transport arrangements.

Scaffolding operations were undertaken out-of-hours. Internally, works were segregated from employees and visitors to the site using pre-finished hoardings and drapes lined with acoustic protection to maintain the buildings' internal aesthetics. Further plywood and Correx sheeting was installed to protect glass balustrades, handrails and planters.

180-metre chalk cliff face in Greenhithe, Dartford had significant vegetation growth on a large proportion of its surface with 5 locations across the cliff identified as cause for concern due to the presence of trees, major fractures in the rock and a high degree of weathering on the face.

Three main access points were established to facilitate operative access to the cliff face for removal of vegetation by professional tree surgeons accompanied by an ecologist to ensure no wildlife was disturbed. A 50-tonne mobile crane was deployed to transport materials up and down the cliff.

Once the vegetation was cleared, a geotechnical specialist was required to inspect and complete a detailed assessment to inform the scope and design of remedial measures to ensure the safety of the residents living adjacent. Debris netting was installed with 4m long dowels/anchors grouted into pre-drilled holes formed with specialist's drifter drilling equipment and methods to the cliff face.

Once the risk of collapse had been mitigated a 'catch fence' comprising a sleeper wall construction was constructed as secondary protection to the properties at the toe of the cliff. A new stone access pathway was installed at the bottom of the cliff and rope access points created at the top to facilitate future maintenance.

As the vegetation removal could have resulted in the loss of suitable nesting habitats, new and more appropriate shrubs were planted to the crest of the cliff. Bird boxes were installed and provided to the residents as a temporary stopgap until the new plants become established. In addition, a wildflower plant seed mix for chalk and soils was sown within suitable locations which will help the site's biodiversity.

Our management team contacted residents of adjacent housing at each stage of the project explaining the works and requesting restriction on the use of their rear gardens. Exclusion zones on the public side of the works area were set-up on a daily basis and road/pedestrian closures implemented when necessary.

Clifford Devlin won a competitive tender to create a new multi-deck car park at the High Wycombe facility of a global pharmaceutical company. The project was part of the company's Thames Valley Re-stack Programme to accommodate staff relocated from another facility. The new car park was located to the south western area of the facility.

Enabling works for the project included relocating the site's external high-security boundary fence complete with motion sensors and tremor detectors, CCTV systems as well as disconnecting and relocating perimeter street lighting.

We reconfigured drainage runs which also involved installing new granite gabion walls to meet local authority schedule of discharge planning conditions which is part of the High Wycombe flood defence scheme. We consulted with a local airport (Wycombe Air Park) prior to locating a tower crane to facilitate site logistics

Extensive earthworks were required to level the site which involved excavating and removing in  excess of 1000 cubic metres of chalk-based spoil prior to the installation of multi-level piling mats to facilitate 186 CFA piles drilled in a stepped sequence to accommodate the topography. The levels were then further reduced to allow 1400 sqm of ground-bearing floor slab to be laid.

Reinforced concrete walls were installed in a rolling sequence from rear to front and tied-in with 17-metre pre-cambered steel beams set to 30 mm and 100 mm self-deflecting and load deflecting tolerances respectively.

We installed pre-finished metal decking to receive concrete poured in three sections along with two ramps and two concrete stairwells for vehicular and pedestrian access.

Click to view a time-lapse video of the project.

Clifford Devlin was appointed to carry out refurbishment of a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) pitch that was used for employee recreation at a pharmaceutical facility in Berkshire. The existing facility which contained a 5-a-side pitch and two tennis court had fallen into disrepair.

The works area was established using heras fencing and the existing surface was excavated using mini-excavators. Over 200 tonnes of surfacing arisings were collected onsite and removed to a local facility for recycling into secondary aggregate. The sub-base layer was graded and compacted to act as a strong and durable sports pitch foundation.

Following this a tarmac layer and new synthetic 3G turf playing surface was installed by a specialist MUGA sub-contractor and completed with a sand and rubber infill to keep the artificial fibres upright and create the right playing characteristics for the new pitch. Line markings were applied to enable dual-use i.e. football and tennis. Football goals and tennis net-posts were installed.

The existing boundary fencing was removed (also recycled) and replaced with a 5-metre high weld mesh sports boundary with single entry (for users) and vehicular gates (for maintenance access). The original lighting scheme was replaced with a new system consisting of twelve sustainable LED floodlights mounted on 5 metre columns located around the perimeter and connected to existing power supply via cabling to the local distribution board.

A modular storage shed was located on site and finally landscaping of the area included realignment of an adjacent footpath and planting of seeds and plants.