London & South East

RICS Awards 2014 Shortlist – The Atrium

The Atrium Uni of Winchester- RICS Awards 2014

Evolutions 5 Ltd has been shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2014 for successfully completing the New Atrium, a project at the University of Winchester which comprised the transformation of an old courtyard.

The project began in June last year and was finalised in time for a Christmas opening ceremony.

Bertie Green, Evolution5 Senior Quantity Surveyor said:

“The project was a new space created in what was an old courtyard area that was formed in the 1960’s, between quite a few old buildings that had been built in the University over the years. The space outside was unutilised and very messy. The idea was to enclose that area and make it into a nice usable space and get some value out of the piece of land.”

The company was approached to provide a quote for the cost management services, and was successful in being selected by the University to complete the project alongside the architect. This development entailed the first time working with the main contractor RV Dart, as a consultant.

Duke Readings Groundworks contributed towards the development of the Atrium. The company dealt with the excavation to reduce some of the levels, completed the underpinning and casting the pads into the steel frame building.

Medway Mechanical Services Ltd has been in operation for eight years, specialising in providing mechanical building services. The business was a part of the Atrium’s success, having installed new facilities including new ventilation, heating and new sanitary ware. As approved contractors for Hampshire County Council, the team have previously worked with Surrey NHS; and currently work with Hampshire partnership NHS Trust.

The Atrium Uni of Winchester- RICS Awards 2014

During the construction, there were naturally a few issues which arose for Evolutions 5 Ltd, such as the logistics of receiving deliveries when working on a live university environment.

On the subject of issues with the formation of The Atrium, Bertie replied:

“Quite a few times we found asbestos and sometimes there were areas of the existing building that hadn’t originally been scoped for any work. These areas of building did not need to be fixed immediately but it made sense to work on them when the scaffold was up, in order to be cost effective by getting all of the work completed collectively, preventing potential further costs.”

Before the developments took place, the space was being underutilised as a common room area which provided the staff with a cramped staff room and a café. However since the area was transformed, the space now consists of a light, airy room with a calm and peaceful atmosphere where staff are able to drink coffee or use the tea-making facilities, whilst taking a break from lecturing or perhaps making assignments. RV Dart integrated a stylish and modern glass wall and flat roof and roof lights as well as other various elements to make the project happen.

Bertie said:

“The feedback we have had from the university has certainly been very positive, they seem extremely happy that the space has become useful and pleasant.”

The Atrium Uni of Winchester- RICS Awards 2014

Bertie added:

“It’s nice to get some recognition for a project and it is also great that the judges come from a range of different backgrounds, not just chartered surveyors and I think this was a part of the success. There was a fairly strong interdisciplinary team to solve problems, manage the design and cost and the structural engineering aspect which all lead to bringing the project together in triumph.”

 

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