News
In this issue
Company News
• CMA Management Changes
• Mediation - The Importance Of Contracts
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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
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The CIC Consultants Contract
• The CIC Consultants Contract
Aberdeen Base Relocation, Acergy UK Limited
• Q&A with Alyn Smith - CMA Director
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) standard form of contract for the appointment of any discipline of consultant is designed to fill a gap in the market.
Publication is due summer of this year. The CIC Conditions are for use where experienced consultants are working with experienced clients on major building projects; with this market in mind it represents a fair balance between the interests of consultants and clients. It may not see an end to client bespoke forms of contract, but where it is not used it will form a benchmark.
It can be used where the applicable law is that of Scotland, England and Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Alongside the Conditions, the CIC Scopes of Services comprise integrated and detailed scopes of services for the design and definition of a project (ie assembling information for construction).
For me one of the 'selling' point of this contract are the tables which detail the tasks to be undertaken by the whole project team (including specialists and contractors) from the outset to completion, and these tasks are then allocated by the parties to whoever is to undertake them. A specific scope schedule further sets out building components, so that primary design responsibility can be allocated.
The CIC Consultants’ Contract is not intended to compete with the RIAS suite of appointments - but rather complement it.
Andrew Mowat, CMA Company Associate
For further information, ‘The CIC Services Explained’ PDF
• Baker Hughes City of Aberdeen 10k Run
Baker Hughes City of Aberdeen 10k Run
The Baker Hughes City of Aberdeen 10k took place on Sunday 27 May 2007.
The team valiantly battled through rain, wind and hail, to complete the event in under 81 minutes.
The runners were Andrew, Claire, Angela, Carmen, and Donna. In total the team raised just over £600 for The Archie Fund and The Bread Maker, so thanks you for your donations.
• Royal Visit
CMA Management Changes
Why another standard form of contract?
Construction on site at Westhill continues on programme on all three buildings and the cladding and glazing installation works have now commenced to the Main Offices and to the Workshop.
The Fit Out design for the Office building was completed by our Interior Designers in April and issued for tender to SMG. An instruction to accept this tender has now been given by Acergy and these works are to be incorporated within the over all programme.
Office Building
The Fit Out tender package for the Workshop building has now been issued and it is anticipated that an instruction to proceed with part of the works will be given during this month. Some bespoke elements within one of the workshops are still under detail design & discussion, and a decision on these works is to be made later.
Workshop Building
Visualisation of Concept Office area
George Simpson retired as a Director on 31st March 2007 and has now taken on a full time role as a Consultant with the Company and he will continue to be based at Albyn Terrace in Aberdeen.
George joined Covell Matthews in 1977 and had been a Director with the Company for the last 20 years. He was the Company Secretary for a considerable period of time, only recently relinquishing this position to take on the role as Chairman.
Jim Taylor has now moved to the position as Company Chairman and will also continue at present as Financial Director.
Christine Reynolds remains as the Company Secretary and will continue to lead our Interior Design and Workplace Strategy team.
Hector Black will relinquish his position as Health and Safety Director to take on Jim’s former position as Managing Director.
Alyn Smith formerly an Associate based in the Edinburgh office, has been appointed to the Board of Directors. Alyn will assume Hector’s previous role as Health and Safety Director.
We believe that this new Board structure ably supported by our Associates - Tom Kay; Andrew Mowat; Angela Milne and Andy McNair - will continue to lead the Company forward, and we still be able to call upon the experience and advice of our three Consultants – Hector Morrison; Iain Eason and George Simpson.
Q&A with Alyn Smith
CMA Director
Mediation -
The Importance Of Contracts
CMA have recently been involved in a mediation between a householder and their building contractor.
Background
A couple engaged an architect just to design and obtain local authority approvals for a substantial steading conversion. The couple have employed the building contractor directly.
Mediation
The project is at an advanced stage. CMA were asked to investigate, a number of problems that had come to light following a major flood, including problems with staircases.
Findings
CMA found a catalogue of errors including:-
•No formal building contract in place, just an acceptance of the builder's quote.
•Floor levels set out wrong.
•Drainage not laid to standards.
•Contractor substituting other materials to that specified.
•Products not installed to manufacturer's written instructions.
•Elements build in wrong sequence.
Summary
1. Always insist on a building contract, in this case I would have recommended the SBCC Minor Works Building Contract With Contractors' Design for use in Scotland (revised May 2006).
2. Don't embark on a construction project alone if you don't have the experience. In the long term employing professionals will save time and money.
The ground source heating design for the Office building is currently the largest scheme of this type under design in Scotland. A more detailed article on this element will be included in our next newsletter.
Visualisation of Conference Room
Royal Visit
April saw Aberdeen staff participate in a enjoyable visit to Balmoral Castle.
The day also included a fascinating and highly recommended tour of The Royal Lochnagar Distillery with a eagerly awaited tasting to end. The tour gives an insight to how the distilling process has rarely changed over the years as traditional methods and equipment are still used.
Alyn, what lit the torch paper for your career in Architecture?
I was first introduced to Architecture through a family friend in my home town of Melrose. I spent a summer working for him when I was 14 and thereafter decided to pursue a career in Architecture. I decided however the following year that rather than spending time in the office environment I would spend my summers experiencing the more physical side of architecture and worked on the building site as a labourer. This may have influenced my approach to architecture and subsequent personal developments where I take a very hands on role.
You’ve gained a lot of experience in different sectors of the building industry, could you give us an overview?
On completing my studies at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee I spent several years working for PJMP, (now JM Architects), on various projects from Tesco stores and retail parks, to offices, flats and houses, interior fit outs of Royal Bank of Scotland premises, (one of which, the re-fit of a grade A listed property in Glasgow, won a design award) and finally a lead role on the successful bid for the Glasgow schools PFI (PPP) project. This project was particularly enlightening as to the PPP procurement method and the huge sums of money that consortia at this time were having to throw at projects of this nature just on the bid alone. I am relieved that the bid process is slightly less onerous now.
On joining Covell Matthews Architects in 2000 I became very much involved in bespoke design, refurbishment and new build projects ranging from hotels and leisure developments, to mixed use developments to residential developments, one off client houses and most recently steading conversions.
A New Workplace Strategy has had agreement from Acergy’s Leadership Team. The new workplace Model will increase the level of collaboration and communication across all aspects of the business.
Creative Collaborative Settings are being designed for each of the five floors to support specific team working.
An element of flexible working will be adopted to maximise the efficiency of the office space and new space standards developed to
accommodate flat screen technology.
An Information Management Strategy will also be adopted to significantly reduce the current paper storage levels.
What are the main passions and focuses in your work?
My particular interests are design, conservation and the environment.
I believe that no two sites are the same, so design should always be specific to the particular site. There will always be something that influences the project, be it the brief, site constraints, surrounding architecture, orientation or topography.
Conservation specifically in terms of breathing new life into buildings that may otherwise be seen as surplus to requirement. Re-use of existing features, re-interpreting traditional aesthetics to suit a contemporary use all help to give a project an immediate place in it’s surroundings.
The environment, both in the immediate environment in which we live and the planet. Both are fundamental to a quality of life.
What are you working on at the moment?
The recent steading development projects have ignited a particular interest to me as they provide the opportunity to involve design, conservation and environmental considerations, whilst breathing new life into buildings that had come to the end of their original life. These developments also to bring new life back to existing country sites. The steading projects have an immediate relevance to the surrounding topography being located within farm groups. My philosophy with any new build properties associated with the steadings is always to have them relate specifically to the site and existing buildings. I always try to have visual connections from the traditional steadings to the new build properties and vice versa ensuring that the development works as a whole and not distinct elements.
Your are obviously very busy here at CMA, but what do when your away from the office?
I have had a very active private life relating also to my hands on approach in architecture. Over the years living in Edinburgh I bought and sold a number of properties with my partner Amanda, who is also an architect. Generally we bought properties that were in fairly poor state of repair and turned them round so they became desirable properties. Not the easiest projects to undertake as we lived in the majority of them as we were refurbishing and we carried out the majority of the work ourselves. The last property that we completed was a listed property on the shore of the Firth of Forth in Joppa, Edinburgh. The property, Rock Cottage, was the oldest house in the Portobello area of Edinburgh and dated back to 1560. This property utilised much of our philosophy for re-use and salvage as well as incorporating contemporary features and additions, such as a timber and glass boathouse set within the remnants of stone outhouse walls. The property had a four page feature in Scotland on Sunday in 2006 and the garden featured previously on the BBC as part of Diarmid Gavin’s ‘Planet Patio’ series back in 2001.
On leaving Edinburgh I bought a Farmhouse and stone steading in Jedburgh which I am again embarking on a refurbishment project. Whilst Rock Cottage had the North sea lapping at its walls, the farm is on top of a hill looking out over rolling hills. This time we will not be carrying out the refurbishment work physically ourselves, although I do not think I will be able to stop myself from getting involved from time to time. There is however a time when you have to know your own limitations. I am particularly reminded of this as I have two small children who also require some attention. Outwith Architecture I am a keen golfer, but unfortunately the opportunities to play are less frequent than I would like. I also indulge in a bit of homebrew winemaking and have had to become a bit of a gardener due to the 4 acres that we now possess!
Could you elaborate how this move has opened up new possibilities for yourself from a private and work related stand point?
Within this property venture I have also set up the Jedburgh office. The office is set up to be a fully functioning office occupied part-time by myself. The Jedburgh office will eventually utilise part of one of the barns and it is intended for this to be an environmentally friendly office utilising green technology where possible. This will be a project in itself.
I am particularly excited by this opportunity, as the Borders region is enjoying some valuable investment that has been missing for a number of years. Not only that but the Borders is a beautiful place to live and with technology advancing as rapidly as it is the possibility of remote working is becoming more and more feasible. As an Architect I hope to be able to do my bit to help retain the Borders unspoilt charm, but also to ensure there is quality in contemporary design which can be lacking in the desire of some developers to cash in.
565 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh
A planning application has been lodged this month for a 37 bedroom category 2 sheltered housing development on the site of a large villa close to the Barnton Roundabout.
This high quality development for Abbey Scotland Ltd will incorporate a new access road to the rear together with mainstream flats, all set in landscaped grounds. The sheltered housing is 3 stories high reducing to 2 and communal lounge, conservatory, guest bedroom and management offices are included in the development.
Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Huddersfield
Kingsgate Shopping Centre opened for business in 2002 and it totally changed the face of retailing in Huddersfield Town Centre. Demand is now for larger two storey units in the centre, in excess of 500 sq m, and this month an application has been lodged for an extension to the centre.
The existing L shaped mall will become a T shaped mall with a major store as the anchor and there will be an additional 200 car spaces provided. The design team, as for the original centre, is Arup, Northcroft and Blackwoods with Turley, Planning Consultants, added to the team. Our client is WD Kingsgate Ltd and this is our 6th shopping centre carried out over nearly 20 years for the same client with the same design team.
Children's Nursery Extension, Buckstone Nursery, Edinburgh
We have recently submitted a planning application for the extension of Buckstone Children’s Nursery on Braid Road, Edinburgh.
The purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the nursery and also upgrade and refurbish the interior.
It involves the sensitive extension of the original 1970’s brick nursery building with a simple but contemporary extension.
Residential Development, Inglis Green Road, Edinburgh
On behalf of Longstone Retail LLP Covell Matthews Architects have submitted a planning application in June for a mixed use development comprising 51 flats and 5no. retail units at 69-97 Inglis Green Road, Edinburgh.
The retail parade is intended to be an important asset for the wider area. The flats all benefit from either private gardens or balconies and many have open views over the Water of Leith.
This application was finalised following a series of pre-application meetings with the Planning Department with the aim of reaching agreement on the development potential of the site prior to progressing the detailed planning application.
Garrion Bridge Residential, Clyde Valley
Our project for 7 large detached houses at Garrion Bridge for Milligan Gray and Partners has now been granted Planning Permission and is moving towards a site start towards the end of the summer. Together with our client we are exploring an innovative procurement route to bring a groundbreaking development to the Scottish market
Whitsome Hill Steading
This project has now had the showhouse unit handed over. The feedback so far has been very positive. A further three units are due for completion in the next two months.
A Personal History of Covell Matthews Architects
One of Covell Matthews Scotland's founding Partners, Albert Heasman, who retired as a director in 1990 has taken the time to compile his personal recollections on the history of CMA
• A Personal History of Covell MAtthews Architects
By Albert Heasman