ALEXANDRA HOUSE, HARINGEY

A JCT Design & Build contract comprising works within two council owned buildings to include refurbishment over eight floors including gender neutral WCs within Alexandra House, additional CAT B fitout over four floors at neighbouring 48 Station Road.

Undertaking the role of Principal Contractor, Alcema provided a meticulous phased programme and project management.

Conducting a full strip out of redundant kitchens, plasterboard, block work walls, floor coverings, WC cubicles, fixtures and fittings for each phase.

We reconfigured all levels creating new kitchen and breakout areas, new layouts for electrical installations including data cabling.  Roof coverings were removed and replaced and specialised solar paint covering was also replaced.

The Fire Alarms were removed and reinstated maintaining live provision, we also upgraded and installed access control and security systems.

Upon our appointment, the client desired to make substantial changes to the scheme and increased spend by 50%.  Working with the client we provided solutions to accommodate the changes whilst achieving the required completion date.

High Secure Service departments operate from one of these buildings with round-the-clock services.  It was imperative that these remained operational throughout the duration, resulting in additional considerations to programme.  Through phased handovers we successfully provided operational security of these vital services.

With occupancy over all floors, we developed a phased programme allowing council staff to be able to work in situ and relocate within the project areas once each phase was complete.  This involved extensive and successful collaboration with the client team allowing staff to prepare for relocation mitigating disruption to workflow.

Through early collaboration and open discussion, we were able to mitigate disruption to the essential services provided by the council.  We also provided additional solutions during the tender period allowing updated Employer Requirements to be incorporated into the scheme.

Progress meetings continued fortnightly through the project duration with transparency on costs and variations – there were no surprises!

Driving efficiencies throughout the project, Alcema were able to provide energy and cost saving measures for the client.  This included new internal solar shading reducing heat loss; improvements were made to the existing ventilation system to provide more natural ventilation; solar reflecting paint applied to the roof has helped to reduce the overall temperature of the building.  These measures help to reduce the outputs required from HVAC systems whilst also maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.

Delivered on time, on budget to an expected quality and with minimal disruption to council operations.

‘Alcema are a professional and diligent company who have strived to deliver high quality and expectant schemes.  Their staff are very cooperative, knowledgeable and work well with the client and consultant teams ensuring that the scheme is smoothly delivered with little or no inconvenience to the council operations, it’s occupants and visitors.  Haringey would not hesitate in instructing Alcema on further large refurbishment or construction schemes and would recommend them’ Haringey Project Manager

At the heart of all of our projects are the communities in which we work.  Working with Haringey Council we identified Haringey Girls Football Academy, supporting girls and young women with premier development opportunities for progression through football.  Through our continued sponsorship over three seasons, we have been able to provide funds for the purchase of kits and enable the club to deliver free coaching sessions for girls aged 5-11 within the wider community.  We continue to support the club through 2024-2025 season.