Appetite for construction
In the world of construction, thinking outside the box is often seen as a virtue. But what happens when you’re tasked with building something that defies convention? Alistair Broadley, Operations Manager at Roberston Group shares his insights into the challenges and triumphs of constructing the striking triangular ONE BioHub at Foresterhill Health Campus.
A unique design challenge
“We’re used to building boxes so when people say ‘think outside the box’, we like that as contractors. So, a triangle did make for a lot of challenging interfaces, and we had to give a lot of thought to some of those challenging spaces that came at the point. But it’s all definitely been worth it in the end.”
Roberston Group was involved with the pre-construction design from the conceptual stage to ensure that the building was efficient, viable and would serve the client’s needs. Owing to its location on a slope and traversed by a burn, the construction site itself presented considerable problems.
“I’m always up for a challenge and we have some nice features on this site, like the stream that runs beside the building. It was a challenge but one we were willing to accept and overcome with some clever ideas about how to build the site, said Alistair. “We had very little room and we had to lay out our materials ahead of us. We were using large cranes, huge cherry pickers, the biggest you get in the country, to erect the steel frame on a very tight footprint and we had to keep all the trades working together. It took a lot of close coordination.”
Situated within Europe’s largest clinical complexes
Situated within the 125-acre Foresterhill Health Campus, ONE BioHub had to coexist seamlessly with working hospitals and access for ambulances. Ensuring that construction did not disrupt hospital services was a top priority. A dedicated logistics team ensured timely deliveries, preserving the smooth operation of the hospital.
Sustainability as a core value
A focus on sustainability has been a core feature of the project. That ethos applies right across the board from materials to skills and communities.
“We work to a very strict quality standard at Robertson, and we applied it 100% to this job.
The materials we use come from sustainable sources and we used suppliers that are quality registered.”
In a city that is at the forefront of the transition to net zero carbon, Alistair is conscious of the vital role that his firm play in achieving that ambition.
“In our supply chain we carefully monitor the distance that supplies must come to the site. We use a matrix to ensure that we maximise the use of local contractors wherever possible.
Some elements are very specialised and not yet available in the local market, but we are working on that with our supply chain to upskill them so that we can use them in future projects. ONE BioHub was an excellent example of where we were doing that.”
Skills development and job creation
The project had a significant impact on job creation and skill development. Robertson Group actively promoted apprenticeships and collaborated with schools and colleges to engage young people in the construction process. Over 1,500 site inductions were conducted, and apprenticeships in various trades were offered.
“We had superb engagement with them, and they bring a bit of joy to the team. It’s nice to see them being enthusiastic about a project that’s being delivered on their doorstep. It’s good to see them being excited by the trades that they see being used on a project like this.”
Safety First
Safety was paramount throughout the project, with the goal of zero accidents.
“We always set our accident rate at zero because everyone should have the right to come to work and go home safely.”
A collaborative achievement
Alistair acknowledges the power of collaboration, echoing the spirit of the ONE BioHub project.
“It’s been a fantastic experience being involved with ONE BioHub. The team at ONE are engaging and have been committed to this project from the very beginning. The passion that they put into developing and designing this building has moved on to us as contractors.
We’ve captured their vision and values. It’s been massively satisfying, and it’s been a delight to work with them. They’re a very professional, dynamic team.”
The construction of ONE BioHub was a journey marked by innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. Overcoming challenges, respecting the healthcare campus, and prioritising safety and skill development. The project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when visionary clients and committed contractors come together. ONE BioHub is not only a striking building but a symbol of progress and excellence in the construction industry.