£40 million Staines Development gets underway – and is set to lead the way in flexible working

The highly modern, circa £40 million development has an attractive curved design by architect ARUP, and has just commenced piling on its 85 week construction programme.

“It will create a highly impressive modern working environment,” says Project Manager Declan Galvin, who brings a wealth of experience having led work on BAM’s Kings Cross office developments. ‘It will be visible from the M25 and be a signature building for the area.’

The five-storey Grade A building features a fair-faced concrete structure and soffits, circular columns, unitised cladding and a displacement system beneath raised floors to provide services. It provides modern flexible floor plates, and covers around 120,000 sq.ft.

BAM will also deliver an accompanying car park. That features a steel system solution from Huber, also used by BAM for its recent work at Stanstead Airport.

Declan is leading a team that builds up to around 100 people on site, including BAM’s specialist Services Engineering business, which will provide mechanical and electrical services to the project, with other service elements being provided by ARUP.

Mick Kelly, BAM’s Construction Director for the scheme says: ‘Our collaboration with XLB has already been very productive, having delivered the striking Tamesis Offices adjacent to this scheme recently. We’ve been able to show them what we’ve achieved in Kings Cross and brought a skilled and experienced team here who know how to make these ultra-modern working environments happen. Having this integrated capability is one of our advantages for delivering schemes seamlessly and without disputes.’

One Causeway is the first phase of an exciting masterplan to attract a diverse mix of uses and occupiers to the Causeway Park estate over the next few years with the intention of creating a vibrant sustainable environment.

BAM expects to hand the scheme over next Spring 2021. With the first occupants moving in Summer.

One thing the team is doing over and beyond delivering the scheme is being one of the first trial projects in the UK for flexible working on site.

Says Mick Kelly: ‘We’re working with Timewise UK, experts in this field, and between us are conducting a pilot study here that will inform how our whole industry could works more flexibly. It’s a very exciting thing for us to be involved with. We don’t know where it will lead but it can only be positive to try ideas out for the benefit of future generations who want to work in this exciting but demanding industry.’

Further information: Mark Slattery, Press and Media Manager, BAM Construct UK Ltd, 01442 238415.