May Event - The Benefits and Challenges of Modular & CLT Construction

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On the subject of modularisation   - Justin and Sean talked about the fate of the old Hammersmith Palais - it has definitely danced its last tango! It has been demolished to make way for student accommodation.  It is being constructed by Make, Morgan Sindall and others.  To show that times have really changed the accommodation on offer will be 17m2 en-suite bedrooms renting at £228 per week with a 99% occupancy rate - being a student is way different these days!


Very interesting  comparisons were made between the traditional on-site and off-site delivery methodologies. The statistics prove that the offssite method beat traditional in terms of programme, working at height, temporary works, standardisaation, foundation load, design life. But about 1% more expensive - which maybe be considered a lot in these lean times. Lessons were learnt in respect of oquality - surprising as the repeated manufacture in factory onditions should have solved this issue. The units were “complete” including IT and fire alarms.

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On the subject of Cross Laminated Timber -  The 2 speakers were Gavin and Sophie,  academies designed by Sheppard Robson & Ramboll. An individual CLT component can be 13.5m x 2.95m x 200mm thick. Transportation becomes a limiting factor. Construction gives a good air tightness quality (a la Passivhaus). Unlike the component modular the space in the academies is created and then sub-divided. This means that future teaching methods (whatever they may be) and thus larger smaller spaces can be created / re-configured.  The aesthetics in having so much wood is of course a very personal thing. Wood is more forgiving in terms of knocks and bumps.The Q&A afterwards brought up the question of  fire rating – A very erudite answer was given whereby it is easier to set fire to a match than it is to a log! 

Two very different and interesting takes on innovative construction methods. As with all events it was topped off with ample time to network and, as is the custom, enjoy a few glasses of wine!

April Event - 10th Anniversary & Ray Crotty on BIM

This event held at the University of Westminster  marked the 10th Anniversary of the London Club.  Ray Crotty was the main speaker for the event and as an expert on BIM Ray took the floor to discuss BIM and where it is going. 

Don Ward of Constructing Excellence proposed a toast to the clubs 10th year being also its 100th meeting.  The presence  of members and past members showed  that the continued enthusiasm for the club and its events continues unabated.  

Ray Crotty talked about the need for an approach to BIM that brought together the supply chain and worked through it - joined up thinking.  He drew examples from the past where original drawings were used rather to support the build rather than the usual re-drawing at the time.  A practical domestic example being Ikea where, for instance, a kitchen can be created that will fit into the space with all the units so that on delivery everything will fit together and work with no on site problems.

There was also a special vote to increase the number of officers for the club with a view to being more inclusive and to allow opportunities for others in a less formal structure.  Themotion was approved!

Networking, reminiscing and celebrating the 100th event continued afterwards, as always, over a glass or two of wine!! 

March Event - Communicating & Engaging on Sustainability - Making It Happen

We were delighted to welcome Andrew Kinsey who spoke on the subject of practical sustainability.  He  drew on his experiences working on the Olympics and elsewhere. 

Andrew discussed how to effectively communicate sustainability messages to promote action and engage project teams. Putting theory into practice including how Andrew helped deliver some exemplar sustainability outcomes at the Athletes Village, for the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Andrew joined Mace in February 2012, and has responsibility for the sustainability in Mace’s UK construction operation and is working to ensure consistent delivery of sustainable outcomes on all of its projects, and position the company as a leader in sustainability.

Andrew fields susbstainability as a story to grab attention using 4 main facets: Policemen, Science, Money & Time - elements that everyone can relate to easily. To change behaviour the whole has to be addressed across all levels from the CEO down to the newest intern. The sue of metaphors works even though they may be seen as 'un-cool' which makes them 'cool'.  The linking of messages is important as waste for example has to be linked to H&S and money.

Inevitability there is the conundrum that sustainability creates savings - quite who pockets the savings or where they end up is another subject entirely.  Measuring/accounting for savings is of couse another subject.

Andrew concluded that the sustainability issue is one that is carrot and stick!

Another great session topped off  y the usual networking over a glass of wine or two!!

February Event - CE Project of the Year - Stratford Westfield

Our guest speaker Ian Ogden Design Director of Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd.

 gave his company’s view of the development  of the prestigious Westfield Stratford using some very interesting slides to illustrate his talk.  

Some key points:

• It is a mixed development -  retail, leisure and commercial
• Statistics are always in the “millions” which is no stranger to Westfield – the Lowe Group from Australia, who broke their teeth so to speak on an Australian development in West Field.  
• Lowe Group have gone on to projects in Australia, Europe, UK and South America.
• On the cards are developments for Milan and Croydon…. no one asked about the link!
• Stratford has millions of square feet of retail , millions of visitors, millions of feet of commercial. And a £4bn price tag
• Well served by road, bus,  rail, HS1, LU, taxi, on-foot, cycle and maybe at some time in the future they will need to turn to have river access
• Shopping rationale was established in the West End and Lakeside and the “economics” suggest Stratford would work to infill the gaps
• Westfield are always principal contractor employing all the specialists directly
• The project itself has the largest ever contribution to a Section 106 amount at £200m.
• Jobs during construction topped 27000 and leave a legacy of 10000 permanent posts
• 97% of the space was leased before opening
• Westfield own, operate and FM through their own companies and also have a projects arm for the inevitable life cycle refurbishment works along the way.
• A measure of success is the 800000/week footfall. Retail is more lucrative than leisure

The Q&A was wide  ranging from river access through sustainability to post Olympic fervour all of which Ian answered with lots of statistics showing that Westfield’s initial homework has stood the test. The  presentation slides were a real help to members helping them engage in a Q&A session as well as post-presentation discussion and networking over the usual glass or two of wine!!

January Event - Peter Jacobs and AGM

 Peter Jacobs was our guest speaker, he is currently the Managing Director of Morgan Sindall London & Aviation and also Senior Vice President of CIOB, succeeding as President in June 2013.

Peter talked about the Olympic Delivery, the London Market in 2013/14 including the latest developments in Aviation Infrastructure. He also spoke on the importance of the Professional Institutions and their key role.

Peter reviewed the delivery of the Olympics and in particular some behind the scenes aspects which were fascinating. A fantastic project with some extremely interesting angles such there were 14 architects employed!

On the subject of the market Peter was bullish about London.  In aviation there is £2 Billion to be spent per annum for the next 5 years which is encouraging.

In his closing remarks Peter wished that the organisations he is involved with - CIOB, RICS, ICE, CIBSE, RIBA - would collaborate actively.

The AGM went well with all officers elected.

As always the evening was capped off by discussions and networking over a glass of wine .... or two!

November Event - Localism - What it means for Planning & Procurement

Philip Clifford, London Councils, provided an overview of the Localism agenda, its actual launch, aspirations and then the reality of what is happening. The reaction of the local neighbourhoods was not as revolutionary as envisioned. This fact is backed up by statistics gathered by the London Councils in a survey of the London boroughs. 31/32 boroughs responded so it is a significant result. 

Nick Spall, Planning Director at CgMs Consulting, gave an overview of the new planning regulations, Section 106, The London Mayor CIL, new Local Authority CIL’s – three bites of the proverbial cherry! An interesting comparison was given on what was required in 1971 when submitting a project for planning and the nature of the information required in 2012.  

An interesting Q&A session was followed by further conversations on the subject together with the usual networking opportunities over a glass of wine!

October Event - Are you getting what you paid for?

Are you really getting what you paid for?  How do you know? How is it managed? An emotive subject in any organisation, especially in construction where delivered value is the essence.


We had two great speakers. First up was Dr Bill Bordass from the Usable Buildings Trust.  Bill spoke on post occupancy reviews. It isn't simply about inputs & outputs, rather it is outcomes examining the difference between expectations & reality. Designers shouldn't provide what the occupier cannot afford or manage. Keep it simple with gentle engineering not over engineering.  BPE's recent review of domestic building showed the potential for simple improvements. Get the basics right - Foresight, Hindsight & Insight then everybody wins.


We were then treated to Dr Jenny Thomas, founder of the Performance Consultancy. Jenny talked on the perception of usability focussing on the human element post construction.  End user engagement is key which is something that needs to be addressed before the build as opposed to after the build when it  could become a real issue.  It really is about having the right people in place at the right time which is of course a challenge with traditional construction management. The Golden Thread is so very important so a key team member should be there from start to finish, the client leadership is essential.

As always there was an excellent and lively Q&A session followed by conversation and networking over a glass or two of wine!