RBG Kew - Family Kitchen & Shop
Client:
Year:
Value:
Contract:
Scope:
Duration:
RBG Kew
2019
Confidential
Single Phase NEC3 - Option A - D&B
New Build & Kitchen Fit out
52 weeks
CityAxis was commissioned to design (from RIBA Stage 3) and build a new Family Kitchen & Shop in the heart of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (RBGK). The design to RIBA Stage 2 was completed by architects HOK supported by Mott MacDonald. The commission followed our success in developing the design of the Arboretum HQ project, also at RBGK and procured under the LCP Major Works Framework.
The project involved the construction of a c1,400m² facility set in a very restricted site, between the Children’s Play area to the south and the garden’s extensive nursery glasshouses to the north. The existing Creepers and Climbers glasshouse was demolished by CityAxis to make way for the new restaurant.
The project was led by the desire to incorporate CLT as the main structural element of the scheme and included the design, build and installation of an exciting and challenging restaurant fitout complete with full commercial catering facilities and a ‘Front of House’ conceptualised by Mizzi Studio. A condition of planning was achieving a BREEAM Excellent score.
A key challenge for the success of the design was the full integration and co-ordination of all disparate design elements – CLT, architecture, structure & civils, building services, commercial catering and Front of House - so CityAxis teamed with the same architects, consulting and building services engineers, and CLT design & build, that successfully completed the design and build of the Arboretum HQ project. Added to the team were kitchen designers and installers, and specialist designers and installers for the Front of House fitout.
The similar challenges and issues that we had dealt with our earlier Arboretum HQ project were present but magnified for the Family Kitchen & Shop. The site is positioned within the heart of both the servicing and visitor attraction area. Previously unmapped utility supplies, feeding the surrounding greenhouses ran under the site, so significant appraisal and even closer stakeholder engagement and management processes had to be employed by CityAxis to maintain an uninterrupted supply and uphold safe access for Kew staff and contractors, to the surrounding buildings while the work was carried out.
CityAxis consulted widely with all stakeholders to ensure that all logistical requirements were captured prior to agreeing a comprehensive Construction Management Plan and Construction Phase Plan. The site set-up and logistics planning were key to the success of developing a construction methodology that least impacted the day-to-day operations of the gardens.
A one-way traffic management system had to be maintained at all times, within the nursery compound to maintain access and servicing of the nursery greenhouse complex of the gardens. Working with RBGK’s constabulary, we completed a swept path analysis of the route prior to confirming the final structural solutions, ensuring an agreed delivery route commensurate with the design of structural members and workings of the occupied site.
Strict delivery/rubbish away protocols and timetables were agreed with the authorities at RBGK to finalise a mutually beneficial programme of activities. A weekly ‘Heads Up’ schedule had been continually shared with stakeholders to confirm arrangements for the forthcoming week. Progress was carefully monitored and reported on a mid-month informal, and month-end formal basis.
Throughout the construction phase, CityAxis continuously upheld the Code of Considerate Construction registering an average score of 44/50 and achieving client requirements for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ score.