29 Case study 2 The Oval Quarter,Lambeth, South London Contributed by Rick Burgess PRP Rick.Burgess @prparchitects.co.uk Name of project: Oval Quarter, Lambeth (formerly Myatts Field Estate) Town or city: Lambeth, South London Brief description: 982 new homes in comprehensive PFI regeneration of Myatts Field Estate, Lambeth. The Oval Quarter consists of 134 houses, 160 maisonettes and 688 apartments, plus a new public park, community centre and new district combined heat and power system Total cost: £110 million (includes infrastructure, external works, community centre) Principal partners: Lambeth (client) in joint venture partnership between Regenter & Higgins Group. Higgins Construction (main contractor) PRP (architect) Length of time to build: Phase 1, 485 units in 23 Blocks completed in 24 months; Phase 2, 497 units in 11 blocks commenced Briefly describe the construction method Selected OSM system is light gauge steel (LGS) superstructure frame including prefabricated wall panels and floor and balcony cassettes. Why was this method chosen? All the known benefits of OSM, such as reduced onsite construction period, improved health and safety, increased quality, less waste, and overcoming the lack of on-site trade skills so fewer defects. Plus OSM offers very accurate system in terms of controlling geometry and tolerances. It significantly reduces foundation loads (and hence ground works costs). It avoids differential movement issues associated with timber frame. And it achieves significant acceleration in superstructure frame erection relative to traditional site based methods. In addition, the integrated design concept gives early technical input on design requirements for OSM system, thus embedding accuracy and deliverability in the planning design. So, many efficiencies derive from this rigorous approach. How did costs compare with traditional methods? We are awaiting advice on cost comparison. Would you use this method again? Yes. What are your reasons? All of the above, plus additional benefits realised through working collaboratively with Metek using BIM, such as high level of quality control during manufacture in factory and assembly on site; waste recycling in manufacture and reduction of on-site waste; and easier resolution of spatial ‘clashes’ such as clashes with hot-rolled steel elements prior to site . Any other comments on offsite manufacture for housing construction? The key reasons for success on this project are the early decision on selecting OSM system during the design stage, and excellent collaborative working between the client, constructor, design team and system supplier.
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