The Forge, Digbeth
Value - £1.85m | Main contractor - Wavensmere Homes
Built over six-storeys with a ground floor steel frame podium, The Forge in Digbeth is a stunning development of 140 luxury apartments in one- and two-bedroom residences, suitable for first time buyers and families alike.
The challenge:
Far from being a straightforward offsite SFS build, the project included ambitious complex balconies, a faceted façade, requiring a high level of experience and expertise is SFS construction techniques.
Time constraints were a major factor alongside environmental expectations so complete supply chain collaboration was required to ensure the best possible lead times and results.
Added to this were the tight city centre location, restricted access and difficult on-site logistics, thus requiring a high degree of logistical.
Lift panels were constructed in the same way control to ensure that materials were delivered to site as required.
The solution:
The complex shapes were dealt with by providing short straight sections of Metsec Metframe panels where required that created a faceted elevation to form an effective solution.
Pre-panelisation of the frames was undertaken at Mansell Building Solutions production facility in Manchester then delivered to site in the correct erection sequence.
The panels were delivered to site using just in time delivery methods and craned into position, with insulation and brick ties then fitted.
Lift panels were constructed in the same way control to ensure that materials were delivered, and steel staircases and bathroom pods were incorporated into the frame as construction progressed.
Metal decking was then installed with additional rebar and anti-crack mesh and concrete poured to form a floor.
This process was repeated, floor by floor, until roof level was reached whereupon a Metsec Roof Cassette, pre-lined with 18mm OSB, was then installed.
The benefits:
With the majority of the fabrication off-site, on-site erection was delivered in a fast and effective manner and construction timescales were cut by 30%.
Mansell Building Solutions effectively managed the erection sequence and the use of just-in-time delivery methods reduced the number of deliveries to site.
Mansell Building Solutions is one of Metsec’s preferred installers, so have worked closely in partnership for many years and this partnership approach was crucial to the success of this installation.
With high quality and tolerances, the solution effectively delivered zero waste on site, overall waste was reduced by 25% over the build and a decrease in weight of over 70%, compared to traditional on-site construction, resulted in a significantly reduced transportation impact.
Mansell Building Solutions completed their works ahead of schedule allowing earlier completion.
