Project: New Engine Test Shop, Ricardo, Bridgeworks, Shoreham-by-Sea.
Contractor: A& F Pilbeam
Structural Engineer: Gyuory Self
Quantity Surveyor: MacConvilles Surveying
Contract Sum: Total cost £5M, Building Contract: £1.3M
Contract Type / Period: JCT Intermediate Contract / approx one year
The project was carried out by Chilton, Waters and Stutchbury Architects prior to merging with Ichthus Architects in 2008 to form Waterside Architects Ltd. The commission was to design a large, heavily serviced building, to be built in phases, on difficult alluvial ground, adjacent to a river estuary. A steel clad and framed structure was chosen, with external cross bracing on a raft foundation with precast concrete floor units to the first floor. Servicing included integral external, underground, fully accessible fuel ducts, adaptable first floor plant room with full length 'blind' louvres, and an environmental plant room for running two engine cells at very low temperatures. Control rooms and access corridors were at a raised level, with fully accessible 'computer' floors. The work undertaken for Ricardos was highly specialised, and involved an innovative approach and extensive research with other consultants.
