Collaboration: A key component in successful project delivery

Cadence, one of three best-in-class lab-enabled buildings delivered as part of Howard Group’s Phase 2 development of Unity Campus has been a hive of activity recently as the first and second floors – a total of 20,000 sq ft – underwent lab and office fit-out. The second floor was fitted speculatively, while the first floor was completed for ViaNautis, a globally focused biotechnology company advancing its mission to create value through the development of genetic nanomedicines, as part of its leasing deal.

Having project managed the construction of both Phases 1 and 2 at Unity Campus including the 24,000 sq ft lab and office fit out of the Sigma building for Campus occupiers Domainex, 3PM was also instructed to work alongside Howard Group for this latest project. The project was delivered on budget, on time and at pace.

Now complete we have had the chance to reflect on the specific elements that made the project so successful:

Key lessons… 

The key to delivering a project on time and within budget is early engagement with the supply chain and a strong, collaborative delivery team. Having delivered the lab and office fit out in the Sigma Building with Morgan Sindall, the team working in the Cadence building were able to take on board these key lessons and apply them to the Cadence fit out. 

Don’t get lost in translation… 

Often, translating lab user requirements into a tenanted space can be a difficult task for a tenant and delivery team, particularly when trying to merge two areas of expertise in terms of lab knowledge and construction. For example, a lab user won’t necessarily understand the process of designing and constructing a lab, and a design and construction team don’t always understand what’s involved in the day-to-day operation of a lab.  

Collaborating closely with a defined lab user group and the design and construction team enabled the development of performance specifications, a concept layout and room data sheets, which were then more easily translated into specific design and performance requirements for the space. Translating the lab user requirements into these project blueprints enabled the supply chain to get an immediate feel for what was required from the lab space. 

Tenant fit out: ViaNautis 

Adopting a collaborative approach was absolutely key.  ViaNautis’ advisor provided an indicative general layout and detailed room data sheets for the space. This detail was then reviewed by the project team to understand the requirements, also enabling the design to evolve leading ultimately to successful delivery.  

Once the design was complete, partnership with a supply chain which could easily adopt this collaborative approach was vital. Further to a competitive tender process, Parkeray was selected based on its fit out experience and the firm demonstrated detailed understanding of the project at early stage; ensuring the project could be delivered to meet a demanding timeframe without compromising the exceptional level of finish required. 

Further to Parkeray’s appointment, 3PM and the Landlord established the core principles around speed of delivery, performance and quality.  This demanded a positive, collaborative, and transparent team across the whole project. To this end, every approach to risk or issues were worked through collaboratively. Monthly team get togethers including the tenant, helped to build relationships, and enabled positive outcomes when tough conversations needed to take place during the project.  

Furthermore, engagement with Parkeray’s sub-contractors and supply chain was vital from the get-go. From the moment the layout was frozen, workshops were facilitated to discuss small power and data, in co-ordination with lab benching. This ensured that the lab equipment’s technical and spatial requirements were met meaning that the design could proceed to a point where certain elements of the construction could start.  

During the construction period, changes were managed quickly in relation to programme and cost impact. Some of these changes were requested by the Landlord, and others by ViaNautis to ensure the space met its operational needs. A furniture package was also procured through Parkeray so that once the fitout was complete, ViaNautis could move in and start working without delay.  

Early ‘countdown to handover’ meetings, held on a weekly basis, four weeks out from handover, were also an essential part in the onboarding process with the ViaNautis team, preparing them with the knowledge required to maintain and operate the building post-handover. Training and equipping ViaNautis with the tools to operate its building was essential to enable the transition from what had started out as shell and core space into the new state-of-the-art lab space in Cadence.  The ‘countdown to handover’ meetings enabled the team to ensure that the right people were involved in the transfer of knowledge and training on the building. It also enabled the team to close out actions and monitor how well the handover was going. This approach has resulted in minimal defects and call outs to the Parkeray team.   

In summary 

This project exemplifies that early engagement with the right people to define the requirements for the lab space, and a strong and collaborative cross-discipline team who approach each stage of the project lifestyle in a positive manner, results in the delivery of lab space quickly and to an exceptionally high-quality standard. The project team included: 

• Howard Group (Owner) 
• 3PM (Project Manager) 
• CB3 (Quantity Surveyor) 
• Hive (M&E Advisor) 
• Parkeray (Contractor) 
• ViaNautis (Tenant) 
• One Nucleus (Tenant’s Advisor)