Design and Implementation
Design
For many projects we are asked to provide detailed designs, specifications and cost estimates, and to secure planning consent.
For large and complex schemes we can work with either the client's own design team (providing guidance and advice or a detailed contribution to an overall scheme) or we can use our own associated Registered Architects and qualified design professionals to work up projects from sketch scheme stage to full production drawings and contract documents.
We are specialists in the design and development of external spaces for sport for which we use our own in-house expertise to prepare detailed design work and specifications. Over the last decade we have designed and implemented a wide range of facilities including full sized fenced and floodlit synthetic pitches, multi-use games areas, hard courts, polymeric surfaces, and natural turf pitches, including grading, levelling and drainage.
We have designed and developed some innovative and creative schemes that have dealt with limited budgets on constrained sites. For example, we have designed and built play projects on primary school sites for use in delivering KS1 and KS2 PE as well as being a community resource. These facilities have provided immense opportunities for sport and active recreation.
We are a Landscape Institute Registered Practice and work only with a select group of RIBA Registered Architects who understand buildings for sport.
Implementation
Beyond the design processes, clients frequently request our services in preparing contract documents and in the supervision and implementation of the works.
We have the qualifications and experience to prepare contract documents and can advise on select lists of contractors or work with clients' own preferred contractors. We can receive completed tenders on behalf of the client; undertake tender analysis; compile a tender report and recommendations.
On letting a contract, we will arrange for a pre-contract meeting, a programme of works and cash flow forecasts. Thereafter, we can act on the client's behalf as the Contract Administrator and Planning Supervisor (CDM Regs).
In the role of Contract Administrator, we would typically attend site at regular intervals to supervise the works, issue variations as required, organise formal site meetings, assess and agree valuations, and issue certificates for payment through to 'practical completion', handover and then to the final account. Throughout the whole of this process, we would report regularly to the client providing financial and progress reports.
At 'practical completion', we will have received a copy of the Health and Safety File prior to issuing a certificate of completion and handing over the site to the client. Our role in managing the contract does not stop here.
We would act on the client's behalf during the 'defects liability period', through to the preparation of the final account and the release of contractual retentions.
Our knowledge and experience in construction provides us with an invaluable link between the planning and design processes and the needs of the end-user and facility manager.
These floodlit facilities at the Hayfield School in Doncaster included a 100m x 60m fenced and floodlit all-weather surface comprising two-thirds sand-filled synthetic carpet (for hockey, football, PE and other training needs) and one-third polymeric surface suitable for a variety of court games (tennis, netball, volleyball) as well as athletics skills development, along with a perimeter tennis rebound wall plus two long and triple jump pits ... made sport happen.