Welcome to Covell Matthews First Newsletter
Company News
• Andrew Mowat appointed onto the RIAS Contracts
and Appointments Committee
• Investor In People Standard achieved and retained
Industry News
• Architects failing on disability
• The New Building Contracts - an overview
In this issue
Andrew, a company associate at Covell Matthews, was asked to speak at the RIAS event in September, after passing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Construction Law and Arbitration. He became just the fifth in Scotland to be both a Chartered Architect and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, after receiving the qualification.
Andrew has now been invited to join the RIAS Contracts and Appointments Committee, as a result of these achievements. The Committee keeps abreast of, and contributes to, the latest developments in Scottish Building Contracts and RIAS Appointments.
Andrew Mowat appointed onto the RIAS Contracts and Appointments Committee
The 2005 edition of the Scottish Standard Building Contract has finally evolved into a simplified, stand-alone volume. Efforts have been made to standardise the document allowing for greater adaptability for future amendments.
The key changes within this edition are:-
1. Nominated Sub-contractors & Nominated Suppliers have been omitted
2. Performance Specified Work has been omitted
3. Insurance for Employers loss of liquidated damages has been omitted
4. Possession and Completion by sections has been integrated
5. Contractors designed portion has been integrated
6. Various Collateral Warranty issues have been added
7. Mediation is the preferred means of dispute resolution
8. Legal proceedings have become the default position instead of Arbitration
9. The Payment Section has been considerably revised
If you would like further information on the revised Contracts and how they might affect you then please contact Andrew Mowat
We are proud to report that Covell Matthews Aberdeen have retained the Investor In People Standard for the second time. This news comes soon after the announcement that Covell Matthews Edinburgh had achieved the standard for the first time in April 2005
Peter Russian, Chief Executive of Investors in People Scotland commented on CM Aberdeen’s achievement.
“I recognise the commitment necessary to adhere to the rigourous standard set when Covell Matthews Architects Limited first became an Investors in People. I am sure that the benefits that accrue from the programme of change you have instigated are felt at every level of your organisation, through both individual and corporate development.
Your continued success is a testament to your committed management and involved employees and the effort that you have together invested in pursuit of improvement.
May I, on behalf of my team, extend our warmest congratulations to you for maintaining the Investors in People National Standard.”
The Investors in People standard has enabled us to focus on our Business Objectives and give staff at all levels a clear understanding of the valuable contribution that each individual makes in achieving those objectives.
We now look to the next three years of maintaining the Standard as an opportunity to strengthen our management team.
Our aim is to ensure that our core values of professionalism, innovation and creativity are at the heart of our management and business strategies.
The New Building Contracts - an overview
Investor In People Standard achieved and retained
Andrew Mowat has been invited to join the prestigious Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Contracts and Appointments Committee, after speaking at a recent industry conference.
Architects failing on disability
A recent publication by the RIBA Council (The Royal Institute of British Architects) reports that Architects do not fully understand the Disability Discrimination Act and are at risk of losing work to specialised access consultants.
In the report honorary secretary Helen Taylor calls for architects to learn more about the decade-old legislation.
Taylor said,“Architects are not getting involved and so clients are going to access consultants rather than architects.”
Former RIBA president George Ferguson backed the report and expressed concern over the quality of work carried out by specialist access consultants. “The built environment is being wrecked by some very ignorant application of this legislation,” he said.
Taylor also said there is a lack of understanding of the legislation which means many schemes are insufficient.
She went on to say “There are some appalling examples out there and it is not the way architecture should go, the biggest example of bad practice is where people take bits of the guidance but do not understand it.”
Covell Matthews employee Donna Brown, who is a disability access specialist with a Masters in Design Research for Disability, is involved at the design stages of our Aberdeen projects to ensure that all designs meet and exceed expectation.
If you have any questions relating to DDA please don’t hesitate in contacting Donna.
The Hub, Aberdeen University
The new accommodation will provide catering, bar, retail, office and support facilities with new lifts and improved access for all.
The ground floor will house the licensed Internet café bar and surrounding shops including the Union Shop and Subway sandwich bar.
On the first floor a food court with 5 individual kitchens will offer a selection from healthy eating options through to international choices.
International students will also benefit from their own lounge. Support facilities and Student Association Activities will be catered for within the office facilities.
Project Architect Fiona Adam has considerable previous experience in bar / restaurant design.
Sheltered Housing,
Castlehill Housing Association Ltd
39 one and two bedroom sheltered apartments have just been completed on a previously contaminated Brownfield site in Dyce.
The brief focused on minimising maintenance of the finished building and upholding sustainable issues.
New BP North Sea Headquarters
Gordon Highlanders Museum
Eco House, Banchory
Shell EPE Phase 2
In addition to the environmentally sensitive specification of materials the works included; reusing Grey Water to flush the toilets, Centralised Heat & Power engine to supplement the electricity requirements, high levels of thermal insulation and associated thermal mass throughout the build.
The site is located near to the Airport where sound insulation was a key design challenge. In addition to the high quality windows the building is passively ventilated with sound attenuated ducts.
CMA were commissioned to provide a full service from feasibility to completion. George Simpson was the Director in charge with Andrew McNair as Project Architect.
Covell Matthews Architects were appointed by BP as Architectural Consultants working as part of their Technical Team to provide Pre-Development advice on the Design, Invitation to Tender and Selection of a Preferred Developer for the project, and have been retained to provide Monitoring Services for the Detailed Design and Construction Phases through to completion.
Construction of the new education centre is advancing apace and is on schedule for completion spring '06
Planning has recently been granted for this innovative, energy efficient design.
Following the successful refurbishment of Shell's Exploration & Production in Europe Headquarters in Aberdeen, we are now supporting Shell along the journey to an enhanced flexible working environment across Europe. Covell Matthews co-created the 'Work Environment' concept, which is being implemented in Aberdeen, Holland, Norway and Italy. Aberdeen completion Winter 2006.
The refurbishment of the Central Refectory has started following a 6 month asbestos removal contract.
When completed the Refectory will be known as "The HUB" and will provide a “One stop shop” for students.
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Covell Matthews Aberdeen
• 9 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen
• Tel: (01224) 634040 • Fax: (01224) 631649
Covell Matthews Edinburgh
• 6 Manor Place, Edinburgh
• Tel: (0131) 226 3366 • Fax: (0131) 220 1177
Offices also in Leeds
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