Articles

Severn Trent Centre

Severn Trent Centre
Presented to: Ian French and John McCarthy
Contractor: BAM Construction Ltd - Midlands
Client: Stoford Projects Ltd

This project featured an architect-designed city centre office development of nine storeys (170,000 sq ft) including three levels of basement car parking in central Coventry.

A key feature was the excellent relationship established with the site’s neighbours, including the city Law Courts to which uninterrupted access was constantly maintained. Although there were no restrictions on working hours due to the city centre location, care was nevertheless taken to minimise site noise and keep lighting unobtrusive by directing it downward. In deference to Law Courts proceedings, construction work was occasionally halted when requested.

A local church benefited from an Easter egg sale; similarly a school for disabled children from a raffle and car wash. A concrete wall was faced with sandstone at no additional cost to harmonise its look with that of neighbouring buildings.

A site specific environmental plan was also strictly implemented, resulting in 92% of waste being diverted from landfill, with grey water used to flush the site toilets.

This careful attention to neighbourhood relations, environmental considerations and site cleanliness resulted in a site that was a credit to the aims of the Scheme.