CELEBRATING THE BEST IN PRECISION LSF BUILDING DESIGN AND DELIVERY
THE OFFSITE AWARDS IS A CELEBRATION OF OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF PREFABRICATION AND FACTORY-BASED METHODS THAT INCREASINGLY STRIVE TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE, STREAMLINED AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO DELIVER A BETTER BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
The awards showcase innovation, celebrates best practice and highlights manufacturing excellence in this dynamic arena. There were high-quality submissions across all categories this year and the competition was fierce, particularly in the Best Use of Steel category – finalists included:
AUSTIN-SMITH: LORD: SCHOONER WHARF
Schooner Wharf is a mixed tenure housing scheme commissioned by Cardiff Community Housing Association in a prominent Cardiff Bay waterside location comprising 85 apartments for private sale and 32 social rented homes. Due to early contractor involvement and applying lessons learnt from a previous project, MetFrame’s offsite system was used for the seven-storey apartment block. The design was carried out to BIM Level 2 standard although not a contractual requirement. This allowed detailed co-ordination with other disciplines. The statistics for the MetFrame structure are impressive
18,693 cold-rolled steel memberstotalling 184 tonnes.
1,248 hot-rolled steel parts totalling
103 tonnes including large cantilever balconies
3,488 sheets of decking forming the composite concrete floors
Approximately 70,000 bolts to connect the steel components.
The MetFrame panels were preassembled offsite in Atkin Trade’s Cardiff manufacturing facility. This offsite construction method reduced the site programme which was a major factor in this system being used. An average of five Atkin Trade operatives were required on-site – taking just 21 weeks to install the structure of the seven storey apartment block.
PROJECT TEAM
Client: Cardiff Community Housing Association
QS: RPA
Structural Engineer: Blackburn Griffiths (substructure) and Metsec (superstructure)
M&E Engineer: ISTL
MetFrame Specialist Installer: Atkin Trade
Contractor: Morganstone
EOS: RIVER STREET TOWER, MANCHESTER
River Street Tower Manchester is a £110million development next to Mancunian Way. The scheme encompasses 791 student bedrooms within a 32-storey building and includes a mix of studios and apartments as well as amenity spaces. Designed by award winning architects Simpson Haugh & Partners, the project brings high quality, affordable student accommodation to Manchester. The scheme features amenity space, including shared communal and social areas together with study rooms, presentation and board rooms as well as relaxation areas. The project creates a visually striking development which delivers outstanding accommodation for students at the heart of the vibrant new community being formed within the Great Jackson Street regeneration area. The building’s architectural composition relates to the city and local context, set at a scale comparable to their surroundings. The outer elevations comprise a combination of Cor-Ten weathered steel rainscreen cladding panels providing a contextual material relationship with the surrounding built environment. In contrast, the inner courtyard elevations comprise a combination of coloured dark blue back-painted glass rainscreens and metal panels, creating a layered, reflective sequence of surfaces. This development regenerates a previously dilapidated brownfield site, providing much needed accommodation for the student population.
Working with Downing Construction and contractor, Alumet – the structural solution for River Street comprises a main concrete frame with light steel frame infill panels. The offsite manufactured pre-assembled panels were pre-boarded in quality-controlled factory conditions using light steel frames from EOS and Weather Defence boarding from Siniat as part of an Etex package. Removing SFS from the critical path through assembled panels, fitted from inside the building, removed the requirement for mast climbers as the installers were tethered to the building’s core to ensure a safe working environment.
PROJECT TEAM
Main Contractor: Downing Construction
Architect: Simpson Haugh and Partners
Structural Engineer: The Alan Johnston Partnership
Installer: Alumet
Steel Framing Systems Supplier: EOS
HADLEY STEEL FRAMING AND SWINHAY: LYDSTEP TERRACE, BRISTOL
Located on the south bank of the River Avon near Bristol, Lydstep Terrace is a development of nine family townhouses, each has been designed to provide character with a modern approach to family living. This project was within a re-development site in a highly populated area of Bristol in very close proximity to neighbouring properties on three sides and a park situated opposite. Ensuring positive relationships with local residents was a high priority and key factor for the developers RBH Properties, main contractor Swinhay and Hadley Group. Using a number of products in Hadley Steel Framing's offsite suite of products, the entire frame structure was designed, cold roll formed to shape, length and individually panelised to meet bespoke requirements. It was also weather protect boarded using British Gypsum’s Glasrock X sheathing board where needed. All components seamlessly integrated to form the superstructure. The cold roll formed components compliment where required using a minimal quantity of hot rolled columns and connection details.
The system that was used in this particular application to deliver this scheme was Hadley Steel Framing 100mm light gauge panelised bolted steel frame system, with 150mm deep concrete composite floors. This scheme also had a requirement for a Mansard Roof and concrete tread infill steel stairs, steel joists, and hot rolled balconies integrated with the superstructure. The adaptable steel framing system (SFS) was delivered and installed easily on-site, overcoming the access challenges, and was used for some of the developments most critical components.
PROJECT TEAM
Architect: Willmore Iles
Developer: Swinhay
Steel Framing System Supplier: Hadley Steel Framing
SIGMAT: WINDMILL HILL, BIRMINGHAM
Located in central Birmingham this residential complex with 304 one, two and three bed apartments were delivered by Sigmat. Working collaboratively with Galliford Try and engaging early in the design process ensured the main contractor could take advantage of the benefits the light steel framing system provides. Specifically, with programme surety, improved weather protection and increased structural efficiency. Engaging in Sigmat’s four-step process from design and detail, to manufacturing and panel assembly, then installation on-site in line with a staged build sequence.
Sigmat’s structural frame consisted of load-bearing external and internal wall panels, support beams, composite concrete metal deck floors and steel stairs with CP board tread inserts. Despite the normal challenges associated with such a large project, the holistic approach was invaluable in mitigating any emerging problems. Sigmat designed the project and completed the technical drawings ahead of manufacturing and assembling panels prior to final frame erection at site. Their innovative ‘vertical’ approach means they were able to respond to any on-site challenges rapidly, always ensuring the agreed timescales and budget were maintained. Invariably, Sigmat exceeded expectations with quicker finish times and higher than expected savings. Working collaboratively with the client to achieve on-time completion and take advantage of the benefits of light gauge steel frame.
PROJECT TEAM
Installer: Exact Framing Solutions
Main Contractor: Galliford Try
Developers: Court Collaboration and Top Capital Group
Steel Framing Systems Supplier: Sigmat
ADVANCED OFFSITEMANUFACTURING
Light steel frame is a fundamentally important material in the offsite construction portfolio and is used for a wide range of building types and applications. Advanced manufacturing processes have now elevated steel framing systems to the forefront of fast-track, sustainable and high-quality construction. Manufacture in controlled factory environments enables repeat quality every time and eradicates the risk of on-site variability, delivering more predictable outcomes. Time is a critical factor in construction. Offsite projects can be delivered in less than half the time of traditional methods, radically reducing build schedules, leading to less time on-site and ultimately, a faster return on investment. With stringent legislation to reduce carbon emissions in the drive to minimise climate change - light steel framing systems reduce the impact on the environment and offers construction solutions to meet challenging targets. Light steel frame provides a lower cost option, whilst maintaining superior quality. Cost savings are achieved due to the speed of construction and resource efficiencies on-site. Steel is unaffected by shrinkage, resulting in dramatically reduced repair costs after completion down the line.
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