The Full Story
1
The West End Gate residential development, located at 131-139 Church Street, London, W2 1NA, is a privately owned project designed by Squire and Partners, Farrow Huxley (Landscape Architects), and Scott Brownrigg. Berkeley Homes Ltd serves as the general contractor, supervising a network of subcontractors such as RECO Hoist, MPB, and OCL, which specialise in rental fleets, concrete relations, and facades, drylining, and recladding, respectively. The clientele for this project includes Berkeley Homes Ltd as the developer and private clients, with Wallacea, a notable external client specialising in Retirement Living, as a notable external client. The project includes site visits, with my partners, Ayat Laymi and Emir Can Elcin.
2
West End Gate, a privately owned residential development masterminded by the Berkeley Group, unfolds as a master plan encompassing a series of blocks dedicated to private housing and various affordable housing initiatives. These encompass social rents and shared ownership options. Among the structures within this development are the West Mark Tower, designated as Block A, and the Mansions, spanning Blocks B to F. Currently we visited Blocks G and H, representing the final phase of the West End Gate master plan. The estimated project costs outline a substantial investment, with a land cost of 100 million, build costs ranging between 200-300 million, culminating in a total project cost of 450 million. The focus is currently on completing the reinforced concrete (RC) frame for Blocks G and H, with facades set to commence early next year.Our main point of contact is Xander Taylor and his role is Project planning and project management
3
The project manager prefers site visits on Wednesdays and Thursdays but will be leaving at the end of November. Our first site visit was on October 24th, and the one scheduled for November 3rd was rescheduled to November 15th due to the manager's illness. As we monitor the project, a significant upcoming change is the installation of the Structural Framing System (SFS) for facades, windows, and insulation, while the concrete frame is expected to be topped out next month.
Regarding the design, it's impressively coordinated, involving numerous engineering and architectural consultants. While it's early for a definitive assessment, the expected outcome suggests a dream residential space. However, concerns linger about subcontractor compliance, especially in blocks G and H, noted for having a different exterior. There's ongoing debate about the architectural shift from brickwork to GRC panels in these blocks.
.jpg)
.jpg)
4
Being present on a construction site facilitates a practical understanding of concepts learned in lectures. It provides insight into the collaborative dynamics among construction workers and reveals the company's approach to worker well-being. Examining the installation process of reinforced concrete (RC) frames offers hands-on insights and allows for a closer examination of safety hazards associated with this construction method.
For my Time Lapse Construction Sequence drawing, I plan to explore the connections in construction, focusing on reinforced concrete frames. My innovative approach involves a combination of interviews, filming, and a dedicated website. The website will feature video clips of our site visits and interviews with the project manager. Alongside these visuals, I'll incorporate sketches and delve into topics of interest, particularly emphasizing Health and Safety.I'll use both websites and books to explore safety measures, health organizations' roles, and companies prioritizing safety in construction. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive view of health and safety practices in the industry.
5
The initial lecture was highly engaging, providing a comprehensive understanding of project planning and construction. The use of diagrams and charts effectively conveyed key concepts. Week 7's Design presentation further clarified expectations for the site diary project. Mr Scott Batty's guidance in meetings has proven essential, offering clear directions and encouragement, ensuring a well-informed and motivated approach to the project.
6
The primary Health and Safety risks on my site include height, live electricity, and hazardous substances. To address these risks, the site has implemented various measures, including 8 am-6 pm live traffic Marshalls, protection nets, leading edge protection, and comprehensive RAMs and Method statements to ensure that all operatives are fully trained.
For our site visits, we are required to be aware of ongoing works and wear provided safety equipment, including hard hats, boots, high-visibility vests, gloves, and goggles. This proactive approach is essential to minimize potential risks to myself and my partners during our visits.
In terms of travel planning, our group will convene at the university and collectively take the underground from Baker Street on the Piccadilly line to Edgware Road. Additionally, if any discomfort arises during certain activities with the instructor, I am committed to politely expressing my concerns and, if necessary, standing back until the situation is resolved or the route is adjusted. This ensures a cautious and responsible approach to site visits.
Emails Sent
Dear Sir/ Madam,
We are two second year architecture students at the University of Westminster.
Unique to our course is the Site Diary module. The aim of this module is for students to gain insights into how a building site operates and the role of an architect when a building project is on site.
We have noticed and admired your project on site at 24-25 New Bond Street and believe this would make an ideal Site Diary study project.
We wondered if it would be possible for us to visit site a few times between October ’22 and January ’23 to see the works in progress? Also for you to share some of the project drawings with us?*
Alternatively would it be possible for us to look at the site from the outside ourselves, and ask you some questions about it? Perhaps joining a project meeting online?
We are fully insured through the University of Westminster for site visits* and would be professional in our behaviour and respectful of any time you and your colleagues could provide.
Of course we would understand if you are too busy, and perhaps in this case you would be kind enough to pass on the architect’s/ contractor's or project manager's details for the site and we will try to contact them.
This is a great opportunity for us to learn about the operation of a building site and the profession we have chosen. We would be very grateful if you could come back to us regarding this, to say whether you are able to help us- or not.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Malak Huseynova and Ayat Laymi
Year 2 Architecture Students
University of Westminster, London
Contractors and Consultants
