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Author Archives: Paul Thompson

Urban quarriers: Cutting and carving at Panorama St Paul’s

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A former government building in the City of London is being painstakingly pared back to its frame and reclad using stone rescued from its previous facade Scheme: Panorama St Paul’s Client: Orion Capital Managers Architect: KPF Main contractor: Mace Contract value: £262m Start date: February 2022 Estimated completion: March 2025…

Set in stone: 20-22 Ropemaker Street

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In a sea of concrete and glass, Skanska is working on London’s tallest limestone-faced building since St Paul’s Cathedral Scheme: 20-22 Ropemaker Street Client: Old Park Lane Management Development manager: Co-Re Architect: Make Architects Main contractor: Skanska Contract value: £250m Contract type: JCT Design & Build Construction start: March 2019…

Stuck in the middle: building a major hotel in the tightest conditions

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With limited space, Gilbert-Ash is transforming a former multistorey car park site into a hotel, commercial and office space. Paul Thompson reports Scheme: 68-86 Farringdon Road ‘Clerkenwell Hotel’ Client: Whitbread Group Architect: Sheppard Robson Main contractor: Gilbert-Ash Overall construction contract value: £45m Overall development value: £90m Construction start date: March…

McLaren’s cut and carve in the heart of Victoria

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McLaren is adding three storeys and seamlessly joining two separate office blocks in one of the busiest locations in London – without disrupting the businesses inside Scheme: The Hub Victoria Client: Gaw Capital Main contractor: McLaren Construction Contract value: £71.5m Contract type: JCT Design and Build Start on site: February…

Salford University science building helps students see the light

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A striking atrium filled with natural light forms the centrepiece of a new science and engineering building at the University of Salford, built by Morgan Sindall. Paul Thompson reports

Project University of Salford, School of Science, Engineering and Environment Building Client University of Salford Project value £65m Main contractor Morgan…

Can tech help construction get the work done right the first time?

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The construction industry is notorious for cost overruns and delays. Construction News assembled a team of experts to discuss how the use of technology could reduce both. Paul Thompson reports

On the panel Lydia Walpole, digital operations director, Costain Cliff Smith, executive director, Get It Right Initiative Nick Leach, head…

Inside HS2: the innovations at Old Oak Common

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The Leeds leg of HS2 may have been pulled but, in west London, construction is powering ahead. Paul Thompson reports on the techniques employed at the megaproject to aid delivery of two major schemes in one

Project Old Oak Common Station Box Contract value £1.67bn Client HS2 Ltd Main contractor…

Paddington’s ‘Cube’ takes shape – how the team behind the Shard is reshaping London’s skyline

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In west London, a new addition to the skyline is set to transform the area around one of the capital’s most famous railway stations. Paul Thompson reports

Project: Paddington Square Client: Sellar for Great Western Developments Main contractor: Mace Contract type: Design & Build Contract value: £350m Start date: May…

Reach for the Sky: Bam Construct remakes Hollywood in Hertfordshire

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It’s lights, camera, construction at a new TV and film production centre that promises to be the most environmentally friendly in the world. Paul Thompson reports

Scheme: Sky Studios Elstree Client: Legal & General Main contractor: Bam Construct Contract value: £192m Contract type: two-stage Design and Build Project start: November…

Fortifying Norwich Castle – how Morgan Sindall is preserving an East Anglian favourite

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The transformation of Norwich Castle into a modern visitor attraction has required care to safeguard its 900-year-old structure, though with 3-metre-thick walls it is far from fragile. Paul Thompson reports.

Scheme Norwich Castle Keep Client Norfolk County Council Main contractor Morgan Sindall Contract value £10.5m Contract type Traditional JCT with…