Project: National Portrait Gallery, Charing Cross Road – London, UK
Client: FM Conway
Borough: Westminster
Introduction
The National Portrait Gallery project, situated in the heart of London on Charing Cross Road, presented FM Conway with a high-profile undertaking. The project involved reconstructing the steps leading up to the gallery, renovating the piazza and installing high-velocity impact protection (HVM) bollards. The main challenge encountered was reconciling two different designs that relied on separate topographical surveys, making coordination and consistency paramount.
Challenges and Approach
The initial step in addressing the challenge was to thoroughly understand the discrepancies resulting from the two separate designs and evaluate their impact on the project's outcome. For surveying purposes, state-of-the-art Leica total stations, recognized as industry leaders, were employed. Additionally, in-house-developed add-on software, coupled with specialized CAD software, facilitated efficient office work and data analysis.
Key People
The success of the National Portrait Gallery project can be attributed to key individuals such as:
Chris Collins (Project Manager - FM Conway)
Denzil Da Costa (Associate Director - WSP)
Thomas Longley (Architect - Jamie Fobert Architects)
Akos Berecz (Senior Site Engineer - TopoCrew)
Beniamin Matyas (Project Engineer - TopoCrew)
Mr. Collins demonstrated infinite patience throughout the project, while everyone involved showcased a proactive attitude that greatly contributed to the project's success.
Results
Due to the inability to achieve a clear Helmert transformation between the two grids, a high-precision as-built survey of the works already completed on the Gallery side was conducted. This step allowed for the adjustment of the as-built survey data to find the best fit with the civils design. The exceptional skills and efforts of the entire team resulted in a flawless outcome, exemplifying their commitment to excellence.
An additional contribution made by the team was taking ownership of the discrepancies between the two sets of designs. Instead of burdening the client and the designers with the time-consuming process of redesigning the works, the team proactively addressed the issue themselves. This approach not only mitigated additional costs but also reduced the overall project timeline, showcasing the team's collaborative spirit and pragmatic problem-solving abilities.
Conclusion
The National Portrait Gallery project exemplifies the power of collaboration and pragmatic solutions. By actively assuming responsibility for resolving discrepancies, our team at TopoCrew demonstrated their commitment to delivering outstanding results. The decision to cut corners by addressing the design inconsistencies internally proved to be a cost-effective and time-saving measure, benefitting both the client and the project. This case study highlights the importance of effective collaboration, clear communication, and proactive problem-solving in achieving successful outcomes within the construction industry.