Bat and Ball Community Centre
CLIENT ADVISER
Sarah Williams
2015 – ongoing
CLIENT
Sevenoaks Town Council
LEAD ARCHITECT
Theis and Khan
SERVICES PROVIDED
– Brief development and budget setting
– Two-stage Competition advice with RIBA
– Selection of winning architects and design team
– Chairing of judging panel with members and officers
– Advice on appointments, scope and fees
– Design review, evaluation and oversight at all stages
– Advice on changes to scope and project options
– Masterplan, residential proposals and viability review
– Oversight of feasibility studies for adjacent developments
– Procurement and process oversight
– Advice at design, tender stages and during construction
Challenges
Why was a Client Advisor required?
Sevenoaks Town Council originally commissioned RIBA to run a multi-million-pound competition for a new community centre and required a Client Adviser to help with the competition. Once the winning team had been selected, STC were keen to retain Sarah to support throughout the design, procurement and construction process, advising on design, quality, progress, programme, viability, budgets, team scopes and fees, general progress, ongoing changes to the brief, budgets and construction progress.
Ultimately the scheme changed in scope from a new build option to a refurbishment of the existing community centre due to viability issues and brief changes. The client required support, advice, guidance, enhanced capacity and accountability of decision making to council members. Once the feasibility options for the refurbishment had been assessed, some new team members were appointed and a new planning application was submitted. A design and build contractor was appointed to construct the new centre and Sarah assisted at all of these stages.
Outcomes – what value was created
Working closely with the council, Sarah developed and drafted the brief and procurement documents, and then chaired a very successful two stage competition which ultimately resulted in the unanimous selection of a winning team from both the judging panel and the public. A great team including architects, cost consultants and engineers were appointed to undertake the work. A successful consultation process was also commenced with many stakeholders and the wider community. Regular meetings with the council ensured accountability and transparency.
Due to the nature of the scheme, construction inflation and various technical requirements, the building costs became too high and various studies were then undertaken to improve the viability of the scheme including reductions to the briefed area, redesign of the main elements and the inclusion of a residential development of the site. Sarah assisted and advised the client on all these matters.
When the viability issues became insurmountable, the difficult decision was made to switch from a new build to a refurbishment of the existing building. Enhancing communications between the client and design team was an important part of the role during these difficult times. Once the scheme had been resubmitted for planning approval, Sarah advised on all procurement options and the decision was made by the client to proceed with a design and build contract. However, extensive and detailed information was provided at tender stage to ensure that quality was upheld.
The tenders that were received were very competitive and below budget. Once the contract was let, the architects were novated to the contractor and Sarah continued to advise the client, ensuring compliance with the original scheme design. Support for the landscaping proposals was also provided by Sarah, alongside the incorporation of sustainable features within the building. Completion is due at the end of 2020 and is on budget.
Testimonial
“Sarah was first recommended to us by the Royal Institute of British Architects to act as our advisor during the architectural competition we commissioned RIBA to conduct for the design of our new conference centre/offices. She was appointed due to her ongoing involvement in high profile local projects and for her extensive community engagement experience, which proved invaluable during many meetings with our elected members, key stakeholders, and public exhibitions. Her close involvement with the project has allowed us to steer clear of many common pitfalls, despite an ever evolving brief. We would absolutely recommend Sarah to any client that needs someone to demystify the world of architecture and help to facilitate community involvement in a project.”
