We caught up with Project Manager, Declan Sinnott, from Oakland Building Services to find out how the Student Heart project is coming along.
So, Declan how is the project going so far?
We've completed the first part of the project, the 'strip out'. This required us to remove all surplus soft furnishings and decorations, demolish internal walls and dispose of all the old caballing and electric wires, leaving us with an outer shell that we can refurbish.
Have you had any challenges to overcome?
We've uncovered things we weren't expecting which has challenged us time wise! For example, even after extensive surveying prior to work commencing there are three ducts with cabling right under the foundations of the extension.
We also found some structural features that we didn’t realise were there. An old flat roof from when the property was originally built was still in place. This allows the new area to have a higher ceiling height which is more aesthetically pleasing and provides space run cables.
What's next?
Revising the design of the foundation and then completing the installation. The Building Control officer will be coming to conduct a review in the next couple of weeks to check the foundation has been laid correctly. Once this and the new design has been signed off, we can start pouring the cement in preparation for the new external block work to start which will be followed by steel work and internal design.
Over the next month we'll be focusing on the First Floor Teaching Rooms and the acoustics within the room and between floors to ensure the teaching rooms above aren't impacted. An acoustic engineer is accessing the area and will help to develop the space.