MAIN CONTRACTOR ’ S COMMENT NMC , the largest privately owned general civil and building construction company , has over the past few years established a reputation of being a market leader in retail refurbishments . The award of the Cavendish Connect project in 2006 marked a continuation of the company ’ s longstanding relationship with the client , Old Mutual Properties , for whom NMC executed , along with a number of other projects , an extensive refurbishment at Cavendish Square in 2002 .
SITE PLAN
The Cavendish Connect centre is directly linked to two separate buildings of which one is the Cavendish Square shopping centre . These two buildings are linked across Dreyer Street via two bridge connections . With the linking of the neighbouring buildings , careful consideration had to be given to escape routes and controlling the spread of smoke in the event of a fire . The efficiency of the escape routes is unusually high due to the careful planning with the architect ensuring an efficient layout .
An extensive powered smoke extraction system had to be designed for the entire twolevel mall area , ensuring that the hot gas and smoke layer height is maintained above head height based on a 5MW design fire that could occur in any of the shops .
Challenges Project Manager , Dale Gay , recounts how challenging the project was upon award as there were a number of strategic outcomes that the client needed to achieve . “ The refurbishment of the Link Shopping Centre , its name change and the construction of two link bridges adjoining it to neighbouring Cavendish Square has positioned this run-down centre on equal footing with the upmarket Cavendish Square .” Gay says the construction of the two link bridges , comprising mainly steel framed structures with flush glazing , proved to be the most challenging aspect of the project due to the time constraints posed on the team by delayed approval dates . “ Construction of the link bridges took place over the main entrances to both centres and necessitated the construction of temporary reinforced covered walkways to ensure public safety .” says Gay .
The entire first floor to the Link Shopping Centre was stripped out and reconfigured with the addition of a new public ablution facility . The ground floor was also completely reconfigured , whilst maintaining complete safe pedestrian access from both entrances to key tenants who continued trading throughout the construction process . To achieve a contemporary ambience , the design entailed the relocation of existing escalators and installation of both a pedestrian lift and new goods hoist for the Wellness Centre ; poor existing ground conditions called for forum
230 Cavendish Connect