Fairhurst

The Planning and Development Division have recently submitted one of the first Scoping Reports to the Infrastructure Planning Commission for a 100MW biomass power station in Northumberland. The work, in conjunction with SKM Enviros, has been supported by the Geotechnical, Transport and Water Services Divisions. The Planning and Development Division are now progressing with the preparation of the Environmental Statement and the instruction has been extended to include Fairhurst geotechnical and civil engineering advice to consider design options for the cooling water intake and outfall structure.

The Development Consent Order application accompanied by an Environmental Statement is expected to be submitted later this year.

The Newcastle Office has been successful in gaining planning permission from South Tyneside Council, a Works in River Consent from the Environment Agency, and a Food and Environment Protection Act consent from the Marines and Fisheries Agency for a new quay wall at A&P Tyne. The Ports and Harbours Division designed the new quay wall to facilitate the construction of the two large upper decks for new aircraft carriers commissioned as part of a 65 million pound project by the Ministry of Defence. The QE class aircraft carriers will be the biggest warships ever built in the UK.

Throughout the planning process, objections were overcome from the Environment Agency and Natural England in relation to potential contamination to controlled waters and impact on the Northumberland Coast Special Protection Area. By successfully negotiating planning conditions, the development has now been allowed to commence in a phased manner. This allowed piling in the river to commence whilst the area proposed for land based piles is remediated. The works at A & P Tyne fit into the overall construction of the aircraft carriers and, therefore, the timely completion of the consent process was of paramount importance.

The proposed development will facilitate the creation of 260 new jobs and will secure in excess of 700 jobs over two years at A & P Tyne.

Following on from a short contract to look at naturally occurring chemicals in groundwater in Kenya in 2009, WA Fairhurst and Partners have been engaged by the United Nations to work on drinking water quality issues in the country again in 2010.

The contract is for six months and involves supporting the Government of Kenya to undertake a Water Safety Planning exercise for 20 peri-urban piped water supply systems in Cholera prone areas.

The traditional approach to managing water safety in Kenya, and until recently in the UK, is source protection and/or treatment, followed by water quality monitoring in the supply infrastructure. The problem with the traditional approach is that by the time contamination at source or in pipe networks is identified the water may have already been supplied and consumed.

The Water Safety Planning approach promoted by the World Health Organisation advocates better description and understanding of the risks to water supply systems, planning effective controls to avoid contamination of water supplies, and simple checks to ensure the safety of the system.

WAF staff will be in Kenya assisting Government counterparts to trial this new approach from March-June and Sept-Dec 2010. If successful it is anticipated that further WSP work in Kenya could follow in 2011.

Between 2008 and 2012 Water Safety Plans are being prepared for all Scottish Water supplies by Mott MacDonald, MWH and Halcrow. It is hoped experiences gained by WAF during this exercise may provide a basis for competing for similar work in the UK in future.

Contact Paul McMillan or Ross Nickson of the Geotechnical and Environmental Services Division for further information

Fairhurst picked up the prize for International Project the Year for the 5 Million pound Jamestown Wharf Rockfall Protection Works Contract in St Helena at the recent Ground Engineering Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Winners of the GE Awards were announced last Friday to celebrate the finest geotechnical engineering projects today.

The awards were attended by over 200 leaders in consultancy and contracting in the geotechnical engineering industry, these awards brought together the key players in the industry and the ones to watch. Fairhurst were in a tough category which contained projects from Fugro Seacore for the Flamonville 3 Offshore Cooling Shaft, The Brisbane Gateway Consortia for Piling and Ground Improvement and Scott Wilson for Sea Cap 21 Slope Stabilisation Trials. The project is testament to the hard work commitment of the entire team which included the St Helena Government and CAN France, which allowed the project to be completed ahead of programme and under budget – Well Done to All Involved

Ruby Kitching, editor of GE magazine commented:
There's no denying that last year was a tough one for business, but the complexity of geo- projects and quality of solutions seem little affected, judging from the 2010 Awards entries. Because of this, I feel it's even more important to celebrate the achievements of the companies and individuals here today.

For more information on The Ground Engineering Awards go to www.geawards.com

The Ground Engineering Awards 2010 was organised by Ground Engineering magazine, part of Emap Inform. For more information about Ground Engineering see http://www.geplus.co.uk/

The Planning Team in Glasgow, working closely with the Water Services Division who are responsible for outline design input, have recently prepared and submitted a detailed planning application for a new hydroelectric power scheme on the Isle of Harris, Western Isles, on behalf of the West Harris Trust, a local community group.

The application has been submitted following the results of an initial feasibility study which looked at 11 potential hydro sites in the Western Isles and was carried out as a result of growing interest in the contribution that hydroelectric generation can make to small communities. The scheme is therefore the first site within the study to be progressed to outline design and planning consent.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site, which is located within a National Scenic Area, Fairhurst have had to take into account a wide range of issues during the design process, including the results of a Flood Risk Assessment, Design Statement, Fish & Aquatic Impact Assessment and Otter Survey.

It is expected that in due course, similar instructions will be received to progress further hydro sites in the Western Isles through outline design and planning on behalf of local community groups.

WA Fairhurst Geotechnical and Environmental Services have been appointed by St Helena Government (SHG) and the Department for International Development (DfID) to undertake the first phase of rockfall protection works for Jamestown on St Helena. This work follows on from our involvement in the rockfall protection works for the Wharf which were completed last year. The current commission involves detailed design of rockfall protection measures to reduce the risk of fatalities, injury and damage to property from rockfall events within Jamestown, the capital of St Helena and is the first of an envisaged four phases of rockfall protection works for Jamestown.

Rockfall is a constant threat in the town with the most recent significant event occurring last year when we were on the island. It is a small miracle that the four occupants of the car escaped with only minor injuries. Following design of the work Fairhurst will assist SHG in letting the contract and will supervise the construction of the works which are scheduled for completion in the Autumn of 2010.

The Wellesbourne office have been commissioned by BAA to provide transport planning services for the Colnbrook Logistics Centre, Heathrow. The centre, with its rail and road connections, is a construction materials handling facility which will be used for the supply of materials to the Terminal 2 redevelopment in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner by making maximum use of rail deliveries and minimising the impact on the local road/motorway network.

The Planning and Development Division have recently been instructed to prepare and submit two outline planning applications for New Community Fire Stations at Prudhoe and Haltwhistle on behalf of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Services (NFRS). It is also expected that instructions will be received for a further two stations at Wooler and Seahouses.

These new instructions are as a result of the Fairhurst team gaining six consents for new stations in Northumberland earlier this year. The previous consents were granted within very tight timescales set by the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG). As a result, and in comparison to other Fire Authorities, CLG have recognised the way NFRS (and Fairhurst as one of the consultants) delivered the consents meeting strict Public Finance Initiative (PFI) guidance. CLG have now offered further PFI credits to allow additional facilities to be delivered in Northumberland.

The instructions involve Planning, Landscape, Civil Engineering, Transport, Geo-Tech and Flood Risk professionals within Fairhurst.

Fairhurst have recently successfully completed the 120 million pound A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine to time and on budget.

The project has won the following awards:

British Construction Industry Awards 2009 - Highly Commended
Saltire Society Awards for Civil Engineering 2009
CEEQUAL Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Awards Scheme - Whole Project Award Very Good
The Green Apple Awards for Environmental - Best Practice

Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd, HWHL, commissioned Fairhurst and Grit and Pearl, Creative Regeneration and Interpretation, to develop an Interpretation and Development Framework document for the natural and cultural landscape of Hadrian's Wall. Interpretation helps visitors to understand, explore and enjoy a place through the provision of information such as leaflets, information boards, guided walks and site specific art sculptures. Previous interpretation mainly focussed on the Romans, but this study looks at providing opportunities to highlight the natural and cultural qualities of the surrounding landscapes over the past 2000 years.

The Framework will promote a connected network of individual interpretation elements to help position Hadrians Wall Country as a multi faceted destination using landscape architecture, public art and other appropriate media. Fairhurst's Landscape Architects and Urban Designers have conducted a baseline analysis including a comprehensive review of Landscape Character Assessments and extensive stakeholder consultation. The Framework will be completed in October to assist HWHL in coordinating funding decisions for new and revised tourism opportunities.

Aberconway House was the last great mansion to be built in Mayfair in the early 1920s. The building was designed by Wimperis and Simpson as the London residence of Henry McLaren, later Lord Aberconway. The building design reflects his status and social life with the two lower floors each comprising three huge rooms for entertaining, including a ballroom, banquet dining room and cantilever black marble debonair staircase. The building is now grade II listed.

The current refurbishment will add a new basement swimming pool and spa. The difficult geology, and high ground water, have presented design and construction problems. Fairhurst has carried out a finite element analysis of the new pool construction adjacent to the party wall to limit both settlement and horizontal movements during construction.

The removal of several load bearing walls has required a careful sequence of works to be formulated. Fairhurst has provided a sequence of graphical drawings to explain the sequence, together with detailed temporary works designs. A number of areas require controlled hydraulic jacking of the structure to transfer loads from temporary works onto permanent supports.

The external handmade bricks will be cleaned and repaired in accordance with good conservation practice.

Internally the building will be sophistically serviced, with air conditioning and centralised audio and video entertainment systems.

One of the largest ever individual regeneration projects seen in Scotland is underway with Greenock's iconic Grade A Listed Sugar Shed building at its heart. The 180 million pound redevelopment of Inverclydes historic James Watt Dock by James Watt Dock LLP, a joint venture urban regeneration company comprising Riverside Inverclyde, Clydeport and Peel will see the creation of state of the art commercial, marina and leisure facilities set alongside modern residential and retail space. Over a 12 year period the redevelopment of the 107 acre dock will generate over £180m of public and private investment. Fairhurst will provide Civil, Structural, Marine and Geotechnical Consultancy Services to the project.

The regeneration project will transform the area into a major tourist destination incorporating a marina, visitor centre within the crane and hotel. Locals will have improved access to the water and new cycle and walk ways. A key element in creating a mixed use area will be making space for cafes, speciality shops, artist studios and workshops.

The development of James Watt Dock will transform 480 metres of riverfront, with hundreds of new homes, including 10 million pounds worth of local housing developed by River Clyde Homes, and 12,000sqm of retail and business space. It will also create a 400 berth marina and bring new life to the Sugar Shed building, already being made wind and watertight and set for a bright future.

A reminder of a time when Greenock was the sugar refining capital of the world, the 120 year old Listed Sugar Shed building is Scotlands largest cast iron and brick industrial building. It has been unused since the early 1990s and on the Scottish Buildings at Risk Register since 1995. Now it will be given new life at the centre of this exciting redevelopment.

Extension of Teaching Facility for The College Of Law, Birmingham

A new extension for The College of Law, located in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, is nearing completion in readiness for an increased intake of students in September. The College acquired the original building approximately nine years ago and Fairhurst carried out the structural engineering building survey and design work for a major refurbishment to convert the building to a teaching facility. In 2008 design work started on the building of the new five storey steel framed extension, including provision of a partial basement.

The proposed extension was sited alongside the existing building over an area with historic filled basements. Ground investigations coordinated by Fairhurst's Geotechnical Division confirmed these basements to extend down to approximately 3m depth, with dense sand and sandstone below the old basement slab. Foundations in the form of deep pads and ground beams were considered appropriate in order to minimise excavation at depth, with sheet piling and proprietary box shutters being installed during excavation in order to maintain stability of the surrounding ground.

Further alteration works are proposed to the existing building entrance in order to enhance the existing facility.

Edinburgh Castle, located in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, is one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks and dominates the Edinburgh skyline. The Castle has a high daily volume of pedestrian traffic on the footpaths around the perimeter of the Castle Rock as well as vehicle traffic on the southern approach and frequent rail use on the north western side. Natural weathering of the basaltic plug on which the Castle sits has resulted in rockfalls throughout the sites history. Fairhurst provide consultancy services to Historic Scotland to manage the ongoing risk from rockfall whilst placing significant emphasis on protecting the aesthetics of this historic structure.

Due to the varying land uses and geomorphology around each side of the Castle, different strategies have been adopted to effectively treat each area. These include light scaling exercises and targeted strengthening measures. At all times during the design and implementation of remedial measures, the national importance and historical significance of the structure must be considered as well as the effects of disrupting road and rail infrastructure in Scotland’s capital city.

As part of Historic Scotland’s ongoing risk management programme, rock stabilisation works have recently been completed at Edinburgh Castle. The works were designed by Fairhurst to address the risk from rockfall to rail infrastructure and the Princes Street Gardens footpath below the north western slope of the Castle. The remedial measures were installed between the 5th and 30th March 2009 and included rock dowels to stabilise individual blocks that were recognised to be potentially unstable during an inspection of the rock face by Fairhurst. In order to safely execute the works, rockfall containment netting was installed as a temporary measure. However a decision is yet to be made regarding the possibility of retaining the nets as a permanent approach to managing the rockfall risk.

The University of York has an ambitious extension programme which involves construction of a new 150 hectare campus. The initial 100 million pound phase is currently under construction and includes a landscaped campus, 15 hectare feature lake, together with new infrastructure, student accommodation and teaching facilities.

Fairhurst has been involved for over ten years since project inception and has provided a wide range of technical services. This has included initial engineering appraisals and provision of SUDs and geo-environmental technical evidence at a planning enquiry.

Planning permission was eventually granted last year and since then Fairhurst has been an active member of an extensive project team. Through a pro-active approach Fairhurst's remit has extended from initial provision of SUDs advice, to development of a full surface water SUDS strategy, earthworks and civil design to the landscape and lake construction, and lake flow control system.

As work moves on to the second phase of the project, Fairhurst has been requested to provide a technical advisor role to future aspects of the civil construction works and look forward to an ongoing commitment to delivery of this project.

Fairhurst has recently successfully completed the 120 million pound A876 Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine to time and on budget. The Project was constructed by a Morgan EST and VINCI joint venture using the standard Transport Scotland Design & Build form of contract.

Fairhurst, as lead Designer, was responsible for the design of all roadwork elements and road structures while Benaim, as a partnering consultant, was responsible for the design of the main river crossing. The approximate value of the Fairhurst design responsibility was 80 million pounds.

The Fairhurst scope of work involved underground mine consolidation, embankment and road construction over some of the most adverse and challenging ground conditions to be found in Scotland, whilst working in extremely sensitive environmental areas adjacent to the River Forth including SPA, SSSI and RAMSAR designated sites.

Project Statistics

km Motorway Construction
2.5 km On-line Dual Carriageway Re-construction
4.0 km Mainline Roads.
3.1 km Side Roads
5.0 km Cycle/Footways
5 Road Bridges
Complex Grade Separated Junction
Major Roundabouts
Road Materials Used: 110,000 t
Imported Earthworks Fill: 700,000 m3
Band Drains Installed: 1,000,000 Lin. m
CMC Piles Installed: 35,000 Lin. m

The Glossop Award is an annual award made to an outstanding young engineering geologist working in their profession. The Engineering Group of the Geological Society has awarded the 2009 Glossop Award to Stacy English of W. A. Fairhurst & Partners for her presentation Rockfall Protection of Jamestown Wharf, St Helena.

Fairhurst's Geotechnical and Environmental Services were appointed by the St Helena Government to undertake a rockfall protection scheme on a 200m high, 400m long basaltic cliff on the island of St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean. Stacy played a key role in each stage of the scheme from the early review of previous studies, through the field data collection and design process, preparation of tender documentation and supervision of the construction phase of the works. In addition to the major technical challenge of dealing with an unstable 200m high cliff this project presented additional challenges due to the very remote nature of St Helena, there is no airport and a return trip takes at least a month, and because the wharf at the bottom of the cliff is the only means of access for people and goods on and off the island. Given the remote location excellent planning and organisation of all activities, particularly the initial site visit, was critical as there would be no opportunity to 'pop back' to site to obtain additional information! Maintaining safe access and egress from the Wharf also required excellent planning and liaison skills to ensure that the Contractors works could be safely suspended to allow people and goods onto and off the island when required.

Given all of these challenges it is testimony to the skill and professionalism of Stacy and the rest of the Fairhurst Rock Engineering team in Glasgow that the Contract was delivered ahead of programme and under budget. Given her pivotal role in this project Stacy is a fitting recipient of the prestigious Glossop Award and we are delighted that she has received this recognition. Stacy will be giving her presentation at the Glossop Lecture Evening at the Royal Geographical Society, London on Wednesday 25th November 2009.

Well Done Stacy!

The Planning and Development Division have recently been appointed by SKM to assist RES Ltd (part of the Sir Robert McAlpine Group) in the preparation and submission of an Environmental Scoping Report to confirm the level of environmental assessments required to accompany an application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for a 100MW Biomass Power Station in Blyth, Northumberland.

Fairhurst are providing advice relating to planning, landscape, geotechnical and environmental, ports and harbours, and transportation.

The site of the proposed biomass power station is a former colliery and is currently under the ownership of the Port of Blyth. The Scoping Report is expected to be submitted in October 2009.

As part of our NHS programme to provide an additional five cancer treatment machines throughout Scotland, a new linear acceleration was installed at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. WAF provided planning supervisor and then CDM Co-ordinator services following the legislative change in April 2007. The installation involved the construction of a new bunker to contain the radioactivity on a site constrained by a hospital access road, 900mm water main, and the existing cancer treatment centre. The works had to be phased to ensure the ongoing cancer treatment and minimum disruption to adjacent works.

To read the story from the BBC please visit the BBC news website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8057690.stm

The Planning and Development Division in the Newcastle Office have been appointed by Derwentside District Council (now Durham County Council) to design and oversee the Environmental Improvement Contract (including CDM Coordination) in Craghead, County Durham.

The work has been awarded following the completion of public realm design and associated planning application work which the Urban and Landscape Design teams have developed from inception through to the detailed design and landscape specification stage. Work has been developed in line with best practice guidance and has involved sustained community involvement with local residents and school children to allow the development to meet as many local needs and aspirations as possible. A genuinely inclusive process has helped to create local ownership over the scheme encouraging a more sustainable outcome.

The planning application has been submitted and the construction phase will look to begin in early June; it is envisaged that construction will take approximately 6 months.

Further work may involve the co-ordination of a further group repair and facelift scheme in the area which will compliment the public realm design and further improve the local environment.

The Planning and Development Division in the Newcastle Office have been accepted onto the new 3 year planning framework agreement for North Yorkshire County Council, based in Northallerton.

The first instruction is likely to replicate the work currently being undertaken as part of the Northumberland County Council Framework Agreement. Further work will involve the determination of a number of County Matters planning applications such as schools and may involve engineering disciplines outwith the Planning and Development Division.

Further work may involve the preparation of Development Plan Documents relating to minerals and waste developments and also the determination of major minerals and waste applications in the County.

The contract will run until the 31st March 2012.

The Planning and Development Division in the Glasgow office have secured planning consent on behalf of Arnold Clark for a new Regional Automotive Complex in Birtley, Tyne and Wear. The development will create approximately 180 mixed jobs for the local area.

Fairhurst planners and landscape architects worked extensively with Gateshead Council to produce a layout and landscaping scheme which met the requirements of both Gateshead Council and Arnold Clark.

The proposals will bring a derelict and contaminated site forward for positive re-use and will contribute to the continued regeneration of the North East by creating a large number of jobs in a sustainable brownfield location. These regenerative benefits were recognised by Gateshead Councillors along with the buildings strong sustainability credentials incorporating SuDS, ground source heating, a grey water recycling system and will include passive infra-red sensors to manage internal lighting

The landscape team in the Leeds office have submitted their review of five Green Wedges to Middlesbrough Borough Council. The Green Wedges are local designations covering strategic open areas of land which bring the countryside into the urban area. They maintain a separation between distinct neighbourhoods and are a key element of the wider open space network within Middlesbrough.

The review was undertaken in three stages. Danny Smith, Senior Landscape Architect in the Leeds office said that Green Wedges was found to continue to be important in maintaining local identity and providing a visual and recreational amenity. However, some areas within the Green Wedges are more important than others in maintaining the integirty of the entire wedge.

The Environment DPD for Middlesbrough Issues and Options, is expected to be published in autumn 2009 and is likely to address Green Wedge boundaries.

The Planning & Development division in Newcastle upon Tyne have been appointed by Northland Properties, Canada's largest privately owned hotel group, to prepare a planning application and supporting assessments for the conversion of an existing vacant office building to a four star 169 bed hotel.

The building, which was previously the Scottish & Newcastle Breweries office block, occupies a prominent comer location within the Science Central masterplan area of Newcastle, overlooking St James' Park football stadium and the proposed mixed use development on the former Gallowgate brewery site.

The project aims to enhance the existing fabric and character of a building which is important to the historical value of an area previously dominated by the brewery industry. It is likely to be the first development commenced within the key Science Central area.

Northland's 'Sandmand Signature' hotel brand aims to satisfy the demand for high quality hotel accommodation within the growing hotel market of the North East.

Mitch Gaglardi, Director of the Sandman Hotel Group UK stated: "Newcastle is a unique city with an excellent blend of both tourist and business traveller that fits ideally with the Sandman brand".

The planning application for the development will be submitted by the summer of 2009.

Friday 6th February 2009 saw the end of an era in the Dundee Office. 85 year old Steve Davidson retired after 21 years service with the firm. Steve started his working life in 1938 at the age of 14. Steve joined the firm in 1988 as support staff after retiring from his role as a Clerk of Works on a project which involved WAF. Steve has worked virtually full time for WAF providing invaluable support to the day to day running of the Dundee office. Very best wishes go with Steve in his Second Retirement.

Fairhurst's Ports & Harbour Division are currently half way through a twenty month contract to supervise the reclamation of Smiths Dock in North Tyneside. The reclamation contract is being carried out on behalf of Making Places, a joint venture between Places for People and Cofton Limited at a target cost of £16m. The 12.5 hectare development was formerly a major repair dockyard on the River Tyne and has planning approval for 1200 homes.

The scheme, which was recently showcased in a two page article in the New Civil Engineer, has been project managed by Fairhurst's Ports & Harbours Division for the last four years during the masterplanning and detailed design stages. The Planning and Development and the Geotechnical and Environmental Divisions have also contributed to the scheme providing detailed design and guidance during both the design and site contract phases.

The site consists of six docks, of which five are to be closed with either new closure walls or sheet piling across the entrance, with the sixth being left open to the river. Fairhurst have designed the four main closure walls to the docks, a 100 metre sheet piled wall, a 300 metre combi-piled wall, 900 metres of flood walls and various quay refurbishment and wall repairs. Three major sewer diversions have been designed and a comprehensive geotechnical and environmental strategy has been produced by Fairhurst to remediate the site.

Fairhurst are project managing the main contractor, Volker Stevin, under an NEC form of contract, working in close partnership with the client, contractor and the various statutory bodies. The works are scheduled for completion in March 2009.

Last September saw the opening of the new London office and what an exciting year we have experienced!

Starting on day one with a due diligence survey for a former gas works certainly helped integrate the London offi ce with the other Fairhurst offices. The environmental team quickly provided valuable advice and historical information to assist with this project.

We have grown in numbers and have already moved within our building to accommodate the extra staff. The new staff bring a mixture of skills and experience to the office, so that we are able to broaden the services offered to clients.

A number of the early projects have moved through the planning stages and work is now commencing on site. We were pleased to see our first foundation piles being installed in early July. Another milestone completed in less than a year.

The summer will be busy, with a major refurbishment of a Grade II listed building in Mayfair due to commence. Complex finite element analysis of the party wall foundation has been carried out, to allow the installation of a swimming pool within the existing basement. The project is also very fast track with the client requesting occupation of the completed building before Christmas this year.

W A Fairhurst & Partners are currently Focus acting for Peel Holdings/Clydeport in respect of engineering inputs related to planning applications and enabling contracts for a series of River Clyde waterfront sites. This activity has increased over the last few months with the introduction of several new and significant projects.

These sites have historical interest insofar as they previously provided key harbour, berthing and dock facilities for the River Clyde during its industrial peak. Fairhurst's input involves geotechnical, hydrological, marine and general civil engineering. The procurement of this work will offer the Glasgow office a significant and long-term workload.

These sites extend from Ardrossan, along the Clyde Estuary to Greenock, Port Glasgow and Renfrew.

The new £30 million Headquarters Campus for major oil industry Client, Subsea 7, is nearing completion at Arnhall Business Park, Westhill, Aberdeenshire.

Having undertaken the design of the Business Park's roads and infrastructure for the Westhill Development Company, our Aberdeen office continued its involvement in the Business Park by providing full civil, structural and geotechnical engineering services along with specialist transportation and ecological services for Subsea 7.

The building is set within a large 'campus' style site incorporating parking and significant areas of landscaping. Extending to four main storeys the design concept of the building provides individual 'wings' connected together by a communal internal 'street' below an atrium roof. This 'street' focuses on a 'town square' concept bringing together the 1,000 people that will be working within the building. The vertical circulation cores are located so that the glass walled lifts overlook the 'town square' from opposite sides.

Subsea 7 are to take occupancy of the building in September 2008 and will consolidate their current Aberdeen office based operations within this single campus.