The project was within the Hammersmith Hospital campus in White City, a congested live hospital environment where blue route access must be maintained.
From the beginning, the Client built the foundations for collaborative success. The Medical Research Council (MRC) selected both the NEC3 contract that instils collaboration and a procurement route that encourages it. The initial design team selection process selected a fully engaged team with experience of working successfully together. This was reinforced by the competitive stage 1 construction team selection process that required the pairing of a main contractor and principal M&E trade contractor team, bidding together.
The project budget was shared openly, and the main contractor attended the Client’s Project Board meetings. This positive ethos, encouraged by the project principals, enabled all participants to manage what was a challenging project through unprecedented and globally difficult times.
The team culture to work together ‘as one’ was led from the front by the Client, embracing a no blame approach. This was replicated with the supply chain and was rewarded by everyone’s willingness to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible outcome for the Client. The site remained open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Three Winning Facts:
- The very successful delivery of a new state-of-the-art science research facility, providing a collaborative, efficient and effective research environment bringing together 40 research groups to advance interdisciplinary science and challenge-based medical research.
- Tried and tested evidence that a collaborative, no-blame and transparent culture adopted across all parties can achieve ultimate project success to time, budget and quality, on a challenging and complex multi-million-pound science project.
- The development of long-lasting relationships across all parties that far exceeded expectations and have strengthened affiliations for future work opportunities.
