Key Features:
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The Royal Albert Hall history
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Challenges faced
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Bryair makes solutions
Following our project manager, Shaun Walker, we were able to tour the Royal Albert Hall, a contract which began in October. This tour included the basement space where all our services are located and the main hall, where the Royal Variety Show was taking place during our visit – what a privilege!
Our project managers at Bryair dedicate much of their time on contracts like these. As of now Shaun is at the Royal Albert Hall three to four times a week, ensuring works run smoothly and our client is satisfied.
The hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria and was renamed in honour of Prince Albert’s memory, who died before its grand opening.
Its construction was inspired by ‘ruined Roman Amphitheatres’, set to accommodate 30,000, but later changed to 5,000 for financial reasons.
Due to its deeply historical roots, Bryair is fortunate to be working on this project. Our company is working on a small area of the hall when considering the grand scheme of the building. This is a necessary procedure to ensure the building is protected from being needlessly destroyed, due to its fragility, which would be an issue considering its consistent use for concerts and events.
Although the works are concentrated to a small area and there is so much changing from the original drawings, our project manager is there frequently to answer relevant questions and create solutions
Creating solutions
With working in such a small area, as you can imagine, obstacles come up affecting the harmonious nature of our mechanical services. As a high-quality service company, it is Bryair’s job to work collaboratively to find a solution and continue the fluidity of the work force.
Where the Female WC is located in the basement, space is small paired with low ceilings. Installing shower trays became an issue for the structural engineer, realising the tightness and lack of comfortability the showers would be when in use.
They were also worried about the thickness of the slab when drilling into the floor, found in a similar location, wanting to keep the integrity of the buildings structure.
With such a small area to work with, Bryair had to adapt the way they worked and deviate from the original plan in order to keep the buildings integrity while providing the client with what they needed.
They were able to channel out screed, revealing the space above the concrete beam where the shower trap could be installed. Bryair puts so much consideration into their contracts and allows themselves to be flexible when required, even in intense working environments.
A large quantity of equipment is being installed into every space. With so much constriction, working out how to install it all becomes a top priority. Within the space, the team has been co-ordinating and dovetailing off one another, ensuring everyone can fit inside the space and work as a team to help each other.
In the male toilets, where the height of one drain from one room to another it was found there was an issue with drainage due to the new configuration. Bryair need to find a solution to guarantee everything runs smoothly and pipes can connect. Our project manager has been attending several meetings to solve this.
After consideration, the team has decided to have the pipes surface mounted, where the pipes will be on show.
It’s apparent that everyone working on this contract pre-plans, programs and co-operates, brainstorming solutions together. It is representative of the relationship between Bryair and our clients, knowing they can rely on us.
When hurdles need to be jumped over, Bryair creates solutions. The tour of the Royal Albert Hall has proved to me how Bryair can command a small space and ensure our client receives the perfect fitting. There is nothing that cannot be solved by us. We don’t have problems, only solutions with positive outcomes.
If you have a project you’d like to discuss, please contact us.