Park Street

At Conquip, we had the privilege of managing an end-to-end temporary works scheme for the principal contractor, Gilbert Ash. Our task was to deliver a complex basement project for a new Staycity Aparthotel development in Park Street, Cambridge.

Early Involvement: The Key to Success

Our temporary works design team was involved from the early stages of the project. We leveraged our expertise in design, planning, and consultancy to deliver an efficient and safe temporary propping project. Working with geotechnical designers, CGL and piling contractor, Dawson Wam, we developed a scheme that would work well for Gilbert Ash.
We also provided sequencing and installation plans in Revit, enabling the teams from Gilbert Ash and subcontractor, Oliver Connell & Son, to plan their basement construction schedule in line with the temporary works program.

Meeting Complexity with Collaboration

Large basement constructions are rarely straightforward, and this project was no exception. Two of the main challenges were the buttress wall design and the waling beam design. The buttress wall required a bespoke propping design, and the waling beam design required extensive collaboration to ensure the loading on the pile wall was within the limits.

“A big challenge on this project was the waling beam design, to keep the deflection within the limits required by the pile wall designers. The buttress wall required a separate propping design, that was also done by Conquip”
Geda Zeleke (BEng, MSc) | Temporary Works Designer, Conquip

Our temporary works team was always on hand to quickly address any issues that arose during the excavation. Through phone calls, site visits, or meetings, we ensured there was no downtime on the project.

Well-Controlled Project Management

Our project supervisor, Paul, led the on-site team to successfully install the modular propping scheme across three levels, including waling beam and flying shore braces, in partnership with the fantastic team from Hawks Crane Hire, who supported with moving and lifting the props into place.
We used our own FORS Gold delivery service to transport all the prop sections and ancillaries to the site. This allowed us to easily accommodate last-minute changes to the project schedule and avoid delays or downtime on site. This approach was also applied during the removal and collection of the props as the permanent basement works were constructed.

Collaborative Success

Our Park Street project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and shared values. We maintained a positive working relationship with Gilbert Ash and Oliver Connell & Son Ltd, who were responsible for the concrete works. Our ability to foster strong partnerships was crucial to our success.

“The engineering team (from Gilbert Ash) have been ‘spot on’, we’ve worked together really well.”
Paul Howe | Project Supervisor, Conquip

Conclusion

This project in Park Street, Cambridge, was an ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate our ability to manage end-to-end temporary works projects, from design to installation and removal. This successful project confirms our commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving as we expand our geographic reach beyond London.
We pride ourselves on working tirelessly and providing quality service. As we continue to grow and deliver more complex schemes, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering efficient, reliable, and innovative temporary works solutions to clients across the UK.

“Conquip’s professionalism and expertise were pivotal to the ongoing success of the Park Street project. Their communication and organisation were impeccable, and the knowledge and collaborative approach brought by the project team was invaluable. We at Gilbert Ash have enjoyed working with the Conquip team and look forward to future collaborations.”
Martin Douthart | Senior Site Manager, Gilbert Ash