Project Overview
Using modern contemporary materials drawing on historic themes and design, Casey worked with the client team to transform a space in the centre of Manchester. Sadler’s Yard public realm is part of the North West’s largest mixed-used regeneration scheme, set at the heart of the city’s NOMA redevelopment. Our scope of works began with construction of deep excavations and installation of sheet piling to create foundations for a major retaining wall on one side of the square, allowing site levelling to be carried out before construction works could begin. Following this, construction of reinforced concrete sub bases was carried out throughout the entire Square, designed to be a substantial foundation for the forthcoming paving works. Granite paving was subsequently laid onto site batched bedding mortar along with the construction of a raised walkway paved in Lakeland stone providing pedestrian access to the main entrance of the adjacent buildings. Improvements to the surrounding highway network including the reconstruction of access roads and car parks in a mixture of granite and highway specification tarmac and the construction of granite stone staircases provided improved access into the square. Installation of stone planters around the square planted with a variety of urban, semi mature trees complemented the new high quality paving along with the installation of specialist lighting to illuminate the area for special events. Soft landscaping works were also carried out in the nearby Angel Meadow where the boundary walls Were rebuilt using bricks from the demolition of a building in the same area. Footpaths in Angel Meadow were also upgraded and new flower beds installed.
Project Challenges
Unforeseen Ground Conditions
The scheme complexity was realised during early excavation works as part of the New Century House basement reduction works. There was no existing construction information recorded so unforeseen ground conditions were prevalent throughout the initial drainage and enabling works. The original design called for precast concrete units to cover the backfilled basement, however a Strength issue required a redesign of the sub base to shutter up and pour the slabs insitu. We adopted a flexible and innovative approach to the intrusive and non-intrusive works and took responsibility for design of the sub-ground bases changing the specification from a prefabricated reinforced concrete decking board system to an insitu reinforced concrete slab method.
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Accelerated Programme
The scheme was partially grant funded by the ERDF. To meet funding requirements, the grant had to be committed by a certain date. The initial project was subject to a re-tender causing dates stated in the initial funding application to slip. As a result, Casey were issued with an Acceleration Request to meet the dates required. We reacted quickly, implementing additional working hours where required, employing additional staff and liaising with our subcontractors to assess their capability to accelerate their programmes. The result of this effective response allowed the project to be delivered utilising grant allocations and meeting the quality, time and budget aspirations of the
client.
Innovation & Best Practice
Kerb Width Reduction
The project team met regularly during the design stage to assess more sustainable construction methods. Casey suggested reduction of the kerb width from 300mm to 275mm to reduce the quantity of granite, increase the overall quantity of material delivered on each delivery, improve manual handling and accordingly provide a more efficient construction method. The slightly smaller unit possesses the same properties as the intended design but had been streamlined.
Successful Outcomes
CEEQUAL Accreditation
The project was delivered in line with the required timescales, to a high quality, achieving CEEQUAL certification. The CEEQUAL accreditation scheme seeks to improve the environmental quality of civil engineering projects by providing an incentive to clients, designers and contractors to adopt best environmental practice with the aim to deliver more sustainable construction projects. Our team provided extensive evidence demonstrating sustainable materials and construction techniques. Specific KPI’s were set in order to meet the requirements of CEEQUAL. An example of our recycling KPI was to ensure 96% of all waste was either re-used or recycled. The result was 100% of all waste materials being recycled at Casey in-house facilities, processed into reusable aggregate materials for highways woks.
BALI Landscaping Award
Testament to the high quality delivery, the scheme was awarded a BALI Landscaping Award in the Hard Landscaping category.
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