Welcome to the Spring edition of our quarterly construction news.
In keeping with all things new at Springtime, we have made a few changes to this edition. We have exceptional people at Horizon Construction, including the architects, project managers, suppliers and contractors involved in our projects, so we wish to make more emphasis on how we go about delivering high-quality solutions and services to our clients.
As usual over the last 12 months, we start by talking about the impact of COVID. Even though the construction industry has managed to continue operating, the impact has been significant and far-reaching in how firms operate (or fail to do so). Even though there are green shoots of recovery, the sense is we will be handling the fallout for some time to come. At Horizon Construction, we have learnt evermore about ourselves and how best to meet the future challenges of our clients. The level of tender enquiries received since the New Year has been extremely positive and encouraging for the year ahead.
Our remote working methods for our office-based staff have been highly successful, but we are looking forward to returning to an enjoyable and buoyant office environment. The wellbeing and welfare of our staff will be a primary focus for their return. Needless to say, the pandemic has been tough on everyone’s resolve. The “simple things” we used to take for granted, such as socialising and our freedoms, are now desperate things we want back. Our HR consultant, Melanie Knight, has written an article about the effect on mental health for employees when returning to office environments.
In a positive move towards the future progression and growth of our construction group, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Scarfe as a commercial consultant to Horizon Construction. You might be aware that Alex is well-known across the region and brings a wealth of commercial experience to advise and assist the Board.
I hope you find the contents of interest. I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have, as well as further explain the unique qualities of Horizon Construction.
Finally, I wish you all the very best and a Happy Easter, and will hopefully see you in person very soon.
Phil Holding
Managing Director
About Horizon Construction
Our core downloads (PDFs) about Horizon Construction provide a general overview of our construction group. Further documents are available upon request.
Our construction expertise in video
Our series of short videos demonstrate our expertise within the sectors of automotive, education and residential construction. We are looking forward to publishing our next two videos in the series for commercial and healthcare construction.
Case Study: Bostall Group Care Home, Dartford
Read a case study about our flagship healthcare construction project for Bostall Group.
Project updates
Automotive: BMW & MINI Sales and Aftersales Facility, Surrey
The new BMW & MINI dealership in Hindhead, Surrey, has recently become operational for our client, Group 1 Automotive. We are looking forward to sharing with you the finished photos very soon.
This £7.2m project involved constructing a facility that fulfilled the detailed specifications and requirements of the associated automotive brands. Located on the south-bound side of the A3, the structure includes a basement, two levels and a roof-top parking/sales area. The original site, which included “The Spinnaker” public house, the once home of the rock band Fleetwood Mac, had to be cleared and demolished.
We are proud to include this project within our extensive portfolio of automotive construction projects and further demonstrates our expertise in this sector. The delivery team included Bruce Shaw, Taylor Design Architects, D&d Building Services Consulting Engineers and MNP.
Healthcare: Woodbridge Care Home, Suffolk
Throughout the winter, construction work in Woodbridge has been progressing well for our client, Angel Care. Having started the £6m contract in May 2020, roof structures are now being completed over the 2-storey, 55-bedroom scheme.
We are pleased to be working on another healthcare construction project with DWA Architects.
Healthcare: Maidstone Care Home, Kent
This £7.2m contract for Oakland Care was awarded to Horizon Construction last summer. Over the winter, the site was impacted by severe weather and COVID-19 restrictions in the local/regional area. However, there has been good progress and the team has now advanced from groundworks to the brick structures for the 72-bedroom care home.
We are delighted to be part of a project delivery team that includes Aedifice Partnership, ADG Architects and WA Consulting Engineers.
Education: Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Essex
The construction of a modern new sports hall and teaching block at Chelmsford County High School for Girls is coming along. The £5.2m project includes other extensive alterations to the site. With students now back at at school, our team is used to working within ‘live environments’ to ensure the safety of everyone on site.
This project demonstrates the breadth of our construction expertise within the education sector. We are delighted to be working on this project with the team at PCH Associates.
Education: St Thomas Moore School, Wood Green, London
This new contract, as announced in our previous edition, involves the construction of an extension to an existing teaching facility. Another project working with the architects and project managers at PCH Associates.
We look forward to sharing more photos with you as the project progresses.
Commercial: Essex Wildlife Trust, Langdon
The construction of a new visitor centre at the Langdon Nature Reserve for Essex Wildlife Trust has been completed and has undergone preparation, since the start of the year, for use and the arrival of visitors in April. The opening has been impacted by regional and national COVID-19 restrictions.
The natural look of materials used throughout the building (designed by GROW Architects) has created a truly bespoke and special commercial facility. We look forward to sharing with you the final photos of this project. More information about the original scope of the project is available on the Essex Wildlife Trust website.
Residential: Wix, Essex
Our team is in the advanced stages of this residential scheme in Wix, Essex. Construction works are being completed and all 11 houses will soon be ready for our client, Northeast Real Estate Development.
We have enjoyed working on this project with Colchester-based architects, Duncan Clark & Beckett.
Completed projects
Healthcare: Bostall Group Care Home, Dartford
Residential: The Signal Yard, Chelmsford
Latest news
The following is a selection of news on our website since the previous edition of the newsletter:
- Insight: “What is the secret to construction success?”
- Corporate news: “The Signal Yard is an Award Winner at International Property Awards”
- Corporate news: “Digital strategy positions the company for the future”
- Insight: “Confidence in Construction”
- Corporate news: “Business Focus: Care Home Construction”
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