The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery

Whilst being delivered on time and to budget, this project overcame many challenges. Time pressure was compounded by discovery of a gas main and district heating pipework running directly below the proposed building location, requiring diversions to be planned, approved and executed so construction of the extension could proceed.

By working closely with the supply chain and the customer, Morgan Sindall managed to find innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions to a variety of challenges highlighted by the ground investigations such as asbestos in the ground, coal seams grouted, as well as the challenges that arose as a result of the pandemic.

Given the timeframe of the project, COVID-19 and Brexit caused a large challenge to the delivery of high-quality granite. Originally meant to be sourced from China, the team had to change to a Portuguese supplier. This guaranteed the materials would come on time without affecting programme. It also provided a smart and cost-effective solution as research showed that shipping costs went up by 300% from China, with delivery delays equally large.

Economic approaches were taken to the project design as the team used flashing and cloaking techniques upon the external terraces of the building. This smart technique was used where there was a fall in the paving between the cladding and pavement. The use of innovative 3D printing solutions saved costs by negating the need to order a whole new panel from Italy.

Through carefully re-designing key features of the project, including elements such as the external lighting, reducing the size of the plant room and omitting the use of intumescent paint to roof steelwork, the team were able save the customer over £200k.

The project was delivered on time, in budget and scored 9/10 for customer satisfaction. The restoration of the Spitfire took place concurrently elsewhere in the UK, creating a race against time to ensure the facility and Spitfire restoration would cross the finish line together.

To cap off this landmark project, the project team also provided co-ordination and assistance getting the re-conditioned spitfire into the building – a very careful and sensitive operation. In addition, through its delivery, the project invested £950,000 of social value through strategy around local spend, SME engagement, student education, community projects and charitable support.