First Prison Panels are cast

The first precast panels that will make up a new Category ‘B’ prison complex at Featherstone near Wolvehampton have been cast on behalf of PCE Design & Build.

The panels, the first of around 1,250 high quality architectural precast panels, have been produced at the Brigg facility of Techrete UK.

PCE has been selected to design, procure and erect the precast components of the prison with construction on site due to begin towards the end of April.

PCE will be responsible for the project delivery of all the major structures, working in partnership with main contractor Kier Build, the major projects arm of Kier Group plc, which has been awarded the £150 million plus contract by the Ministry of Justice.

PCE will construct a total of 10 structures, principally three 480-place house blocks and including all associated entry and facilities buildings that make up the complete scheme.

In total some 12,000 precast concrete elements will be managed by PCE's experienced design, procurement and construction teams. The structural solution will be based on PCE's fast track formula for precast concrete crosswall construction. Fully integrated shower solutions and the development of off-site fully glazed window systems are just two of the key innovations developed by PCE and the supply chain for this project.

Techrete is one of four main supply chain partners selected for the project by PCE.

Design work is already well under way, with PCE's 53-week construction contract commencing in April. Completion of the overall contract is due in the summer of 2012.

Comments PCE Project Manager Garry Langston: "Our experience of custodial design and construction has been built up over more than 15 years. This experience, coupled with a business formula that offers our clients the best value and most functional solution, positions us ideally to provide an efficient, quick and high quality solution for HMP Featherstone 2.

"A considerable amount of effort has gone into the initial concepts and designs that have been proposed, ensuring that the project 'hits the ground running'. We are looking forward to a very productive partnership with Kier Build and our supply chain partners."

What the papers say

PCE's involvement in the construction of a new sixth form centre at a Norfolk School is featured in the latest edition of School Building magazine.

The school project, recently completed, has a precast concrete core designed and constructed by PCE, together with some innovative energy-conserving features which are aimed at attracting a BREEAM "Excellent" rating.

Read more about the project here.

Office job for PCE

PCE has played a major role in creating the distinctive appearance of a new office building at Winnersh Triangle, Reading.

In a 28-week design, supply and erect project two crews installed almost 1,200 GRC units to form string courses which complement all four elevations of the external façade.

The project involved fixing secondary steelwork between the panels that make up the curtain wall, then fitting GRC soffits and L-shaped sections to form box-like string courses. Access was provided by a high-reach scissor lift.

Upright brise soleil shading were then fitted, linking the courses and forming a key visual feature of the exterior of the building.

PCE has designed the external steelwork and sourced the GRC units and is working on behalf of Wates Construction.

PCE partners Techrete in major contracts

PCE and Techrete have joined forces for two key projects, which are now all under way.

Firstly, PCE is responsible for the erection of more than 1,200 architectural sandwich panels in a contract to provide accommodation at the Olympic Village in London.

The work to erect five accommodation bloacks is being carried out over 21 weeks, by two erection crews directly employed by PCE.

Secondly, at Wallsend, North Tyneside, PCE is involved in the design, supply and construction of a self-contained support building containing 40 new police cells as part of a new police HQ. The building is constructed entirely in precast concrete and features some innovativedesign solutions.

The unique project will sees PCE and Techrete working together in partnership to design the building. PCE is responsible for the design of the support building, while Techrete is focussing on the main building where an insitu frame will be clad in architectural precast concrete panels.

PCE will also install architectural panels to the main building, on behalf of main contractor Miller Construction UK Limited, of Washington, Tyne & Wear.

The contract is scheduled for completion in early 2010.

Comments PCE Managing Director Nickie Brown: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the two businesses to maximise our experience and expertise collaboratively to promote and successfully deliver precast concrete as the optimum construction material."