Inside Out’s £4million project at Bicester MoD reaches final phase
We are now entering the final phase of our £4.1million project at Bicester MoD with handover of the project scheduled for mid August.
The Project
After a lengthy competitive tender process Inside Out were awarded the contract for this prestigious project in June 2020 by Amey Defence. With the project design carried out by Frankham Consultancy Group our brief is to construct a single storey 540m2 building to accommodate the Head of Establishment for Bicester MoD.
The building consists of a single storey traditional build comprising of a brick and block cavity wall with blockwork for the internal walls incorporating steel work to the roof area and wind posts to the wall area to strengthen the build. The building has an insulated roof with a vapour barrier to prevent condensation, and a Bauder Green Roof system and solar panelling. Internally the facilities include office space, conference and meeting rooms, kitchen, ablutions and a new security pass office.
Externally the scope of work encompasses a reconfiguration of the site’s South and North Gates, to include hostile vehicle mitigation measures, along with a new car park, lorry park and landscaping.
Progress to date
We commenced on site in August 2020 and our first task was to clear the site including the removal of trees and shrubs in the build line. Piling works followed the groundworks with the piles being much deeper than had been anticipated at design stage. A ring beam was installed around the piles to complete the foundations with brick and block work to DPC. Concrete floor planks were installed followed by brick and block work up to wall plate height followed by screed.
The building was ‘in the dry’ by the end of January. One section of the roof has a Bauder Green Roof system which is a self-irrigating sedum roof made up of a 5mm sedum blanket incorporating a filtration layer below and a Bauder plant E capping sheet. In addition, 48 solar modules have been installed to the roof which will generate power for the building.
Dry lining, plastering and the mechanical and electrical first fix have all been completed. This includes air conditioning, fire doors, CCTV, fire and security alarms, suspended ceiling, data installation and data cabinets.
South Gate was closed whilst hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) works were carried which included a new 8m sliding gate, vehicle blocker and barrier. The site’s Main Gate is now closed so that HVM measures including a vehicle blocker and traffic calming measures can be undertaken. During this time all site traffic is being diverted through the newly redesigned South Gate.
A new electrical feed to the building from an existing sub-station has also been installed along with a full electrical installation to the Plant Room.
Neil Brock, Contracts Director said, “We are incredibly proud to have been appointed by Amey Defence to carry out this important project which is the largest project Inside Out have undertaken. We have a delivered works at MoD sites across the southern counties for over 25 years and the award of this project demonstrates the reputation we have earnt with our client for delivering exceptional works. It also reflects the growth and success our company has achieved over the past few years and illustrates our ability to compete with our national competitors.
This project has not been without its challenges. We have worked through the wettest winter and spring on record and have faced flooding of the site on several occasions, requiring us to stop works and pump out the flood water.
We have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without any interruptions to the programmed works. In consultation with our Health & Safety Advisor and experienced site team we have put in place risk assessments and working practices to ensure that all those working on the site are working safely in accordance with government guidelines.
As is the case with projects of this size, we have faced a number of design changes along the way. We have worked in consultation with Amey Defence and the Frankham Consultancy Group to find the right solution to each of these without compromising quality or impacting the programme”.
The final phase
We are due to commence works to install a Pump Station which will pump the soil up to main drain.
Our in-house electrical and mechanical engineers are now carrying out the second fix of the electrical and mechanical works. Decorating is also underway with flooring to all areas due to commence in early July. Once all internal works have been completed we will undertake a full furniture fit-out which we have been working closely on with DIO.
We are on target to re-open North Gate in mid July and will then complete external landscaping works prior to handover in mid August.
