Vanguard House, Portsmouth

WHAT: A multi-storey block of mixed tenure housing comprising one and two bedroom flats.

WHERE: Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth.

HOW MUCH: £2.35³¾

WHEN: Construction work went to programme, starting in February 2005 and lasting 12 months

CONTRACT: PCC 200 Partnering Contract

WHO: QS, client representative and planning supervisor: Boxall Sayer, contractor: Drew Smith (Southampton), lead designer: Kenn Scadden Architects (Portsmouth), structural engineer: Cowan Consultancy, partnering advisers: Trowers & Hamlins.

PROCUREMENT: A number of contractors submitted two-stage competitive tenders. After detailed interviews, Drew Smith was appointed. Boxall Sayer and Drew Smith then organised tenders for various work packages. A series of workshops were held to bring all parties on the project up to speed with site conditions, risks and the workings of the PCC 2000 document.

HOW: The first step was to demolish the existing structure and negotiate with the owners of the two adjoining buildings to draw up party wall and boundary agreements. Ðǿմ«Ã½ started with the installation of a ground floor in traditional masonry construction, followed by a concrete first floor. Upper floors and roofs were constructed in structural timber. Elevations were a mix of facing brickwork and rendering, and roofs covered with slates.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHT: The building's distinctive external feature is a curved wall with rendered finish adjoining a full height glass enclosure, which houses the main staircase and entrance area.

QS VIEW: "I was pleased to be involved with this project as client representative - it was ideally suited for PPC 2000 and the team entered into the partnering spirit... Key performance indicators suggest the design team and employer are satisfied with the contract and the final outcome of construction cost will be within budget." - David Foster, Boxall Sayer