Blog: SECBE Awards 2022 finalist - Millstream Tower

06 April 2022

Residential Project of the Year

Millstream Tower (submitted by Kier Construction Ltd) 

Residential Project of the Year Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Finalist

Innovative solutions and extensive collaboration with neighbours and stakeholders were required to ensure successful delivery of Millstream Tower. The project required the demolition of existing structure followed by the design and construction of a new 22-storey high-specification residential development of 128 tenure blind apartments (117 shared ownership, 11 private sale) plus one commercial unit to shell and core finish.

The site has a tight footprint, and is surrounded by live sites and ongoing infrastructure works. It is constrained by two Victoria Line service tunnels running directly underneath the site and a Thames Water trunk sewer which passes across the site. Works also included relocating a UKPN network electricity sub-station. The project showcases:

Sustainability:

• CCS Site monitors reports ‘Protect the Environment’ scores: 8/10 (excellent), 9/10 and 9/10 (exceptional)
• Site carbon footprint 15% Reduction in Carbon was achieved
• 100% of timber either FSC or PEFC
• Plastic/packaging reduction reviewed during the procurement process; plastic protection was purchased under a Take Back Scheme to recycle.

Supply chain best practice

Newlon engaged with Kier early to develop the design from stage 2, with the building contract operating on a conditional basis, this provided flexibility for early procurement of specialist or long lead items and enabling works eg Grangewood Brickwork Services Ltd’s was named winner of Kier L&SE Supply Chain Safety, Health and Environmental Award.  22 storeys of brickwork, constructed within a constrained and logistically challenging project were completed within original programme timescales despite the impact of C-19.

Setting Standards/ Monitoring High Quality 

• A show flat was constructed on site to establish quality benchmarking standards.
• A full scale façade bay mock-up was constructed off-site in order to interrogate detailing and ensure coordination of components to prove continuity of fire barriers and weather tightness
• Monitoring quality during construction was enhanced through use of Holobuilder and external commissioning consultants to independently verify life safety and fire prevention systems were suitably installed.

Collaborating with adjacent live sites

Kier worked alongside other contractors, Argent, Newlon and Haringey Council to agree logistics, phasing and sequencing plans to ensure the wider regeneration works were coordinated including agreeing key dates and milestones.

Innovation

The Kier team developed an innovative alternative substructure scheme to cantilever the 72.75 meters tall building over two Victoria Line service tunnels and a Thames Water trunk sewer whilst keeping the structure within its tight footprint.

The site team used a software programme called Holobuilder.  It uses 360 degree images captured across the site, to record progress over time.  It enabled the site to be viewed remotely for the wider project teams, keeping a detailed record of during the works, and post completion.

Other stand-out performance

• Gold Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation
• Extensive community engagement

Key achievements:

• Innovative cantilevered structural solution employed to the two Victoria Line service tunnels running directly underneath, a Thames Water trunk sewer which passes across the site creating a cost saving of +£500k, reduced risk and reduced programme.

• Creating a high specification, high-quality building despite rigorous value engineering, from a starting point of being £7M over budget.

• Extensive collaboration with the team, neighbours and adjacent live sites ensured successful delivery, and secured additional works.

Client: Newlon Build Limited 

Project Partners: Kier Construction Ltd, TP Bennet (Arch), Heyne Tillett Steel (St Eng), Calfordseaden LLP (QS/EA), Waterman Building Services, Grangewood Brickwork Services Ltd

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Ceremony on Thurs 30th June 2022.

About the Residential Project of the Year (sponsored by SCF): 

This award recognises developments that provide a desirable and sustainable place to live that demonstrate creative approaches from concept to delivery.  More info.

>> Find out more about the other Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards finalists here