About

Street Scape Project – Kilmarnock

ROCK DCM had an early involvement in the works for the award winning Kilmarnock Streetscape project. Involvement in Phases 1 – 3 was as Sub Consultant for Design and Supervising Engineer. ROCK DCM were commissioned directly for Phase 4 of the works where the role was as before. Work on the initial phases began in July 1993 and Phase 4 was completed in July 1995. Phase 5 began in July 1995 for which ROCK DCM continued their role as Design and Supervising Engineer. Further
involvement was in October 1995 liaising with Page & Park Architects coordinating and planning the enhancement of lighting project for the Laigh Kirk which is situated within the heart of the enhancement Scheme. The completed project received the prestigious Civic Trust Centre Vision
Award 1997.

ROCK DCM also produced a maintenance manual for the upkeep of the work.

The initial Phase of the Project started in February 1999 with the second phase due to reach completion in the summer 2001.

Other projects

• Fort William

• Merchant City
• Cumbernauld Residential

Environmental Improvements Fargate, Sheffield

Fargate was the subject of large-scale streetscape project where the whole of the main shopping precinct was regenerated. ROCK DCM were involved in the project from conception and design through to the resident site engineer and supervising engineer. The role was a pivotal one working in collaboration with Council Architects and the Works Department along with our sister company Stone3 Ltd.

Once again our role involved production and engineering design, site supervision, materials procurement, research and testing. This work was carried out from April 1997 until September 1997.

Other projects: 

• GDA Public Realm Adviser
• Green Street Cambridge

Heart of the City – Sheffield

Based on the success of Fargate project Stone3 Ltd carried out a range of works for Sheffield City Councils Direct Services which formed part of the City’s Millennium, which valued in excess of 120 million. Stone3 Ltds work included drainage, ducting, reinforced concrete structures and the supply and lay of concrete cubes and sandstone slabs to the Peace Gardens. The project was delivered on programme, on budget and provides the City of Sheffield with a new civic space at the heart of the city.

As part of the Heart of the City project, objectives from Sheffield City Councils Direct services team were trained by Stone 3Ltd in a variety of disciplines which provided them with the skills required to participate in this high quality of the works programme. The following shows the range of training involved:

• Site procedures for Public Realm Projects
• Stone cutting procedures
• Site training for Engineering Technicians
• Manual handling regulations for large granite slabs and blocks

“Very good working relationships have been established between the company and Direct Services, ”
Stuart Kay, Head of Highway and Lighting Services, Sheffield City Council

Millenium Spaces

Glasgow as named 1999 UK: City of architecture and Design. During this year Glasgow held over 200 design events aimed at raising public awareness of architecture and design. There were three main projects carried out as part of Glasgow 1999 one of which was the five spaces project. This project took 5 spaces and transformed them through a collaboration between Architects, Artists and community consultation. A highly successful project in which ROCK DCM delivered the timely production and construction of proposals as project managers of four of the sites. The precedent for this project was the Barcelona public spaces initiative.

ROCK DCMs involvement in the project started in January 1998.

5-SPACES /Millenium Spaces

ROCK DCM was commissioned by Glasgow 1999: UK City of Architecture and Design to co-ordinate the design and delivery of their urban regeneration programme 5-Spaces, or Millennium Spaces.

The project centred around five pocket sites, within urban locations, which were derelict. Artists and architects worked together with Housing Associations to produce informed solutions for the community.

ROCK DCM was responsible for:

• Co-ordinating the artists and architects for each space
• Project managing the project as a whole
• Carrying out the engineering design work
• Construction management role on-site

The work has proven successful in creating positive civic spaces and has become a model for other Associations around the UK.

Home for the Future

ROCK DCM’s history and experience in urban regeneration contributed to the ideas behind homes for the future, which has proved to be one of the most successful new-build developments. This is also upheld as one of the most successful urban regeneration projects; changing perceptions of this quarter of the City.

Phase One of the regeneration of Glasgow Green began in 1999. ROCK DCM was integral to the delivery of Homes for the Future.

ROCK DCM:

• guided the land assembly,
• assisted the masterplan design,
• and through the role of project manager coordinated the project teams of 10 architects and 7 developers from conception to
• completion within an incredibly tight programme, as well as
• designing and implementing the external works, and
• dealing with cost control.

Home for the Future was the flagship project for Glasgow 1999. An innovative housing project forming a key part of the festival year.

ROCK DCMs role started with a comprehensive site analysis and research. The company was involved in the preparation and organising of a limited master planning competition, a technical appraisal and advice on submission.

ROCK DCM remained a key part of the core consultancy team working with the master planner responsible for all aspects of the project management, programming, appraisal and delivery.

In the final stages of the project ROCK DCM were responsible for the external works, which were essential to the deliveries of the project.

• Cambridge
• Barras Regeneration study
• Springburn public halls
• Peterhead
• Vertigo
• Point Hotel Glasgow
• Orientation Centre
• Parson Street

Hackney Town Hall Square – London

ROCK DCMs involvement in the regeneration of Hackney Town Hall Square was one of Design and Construction Management Services and Quantity Surveying. The process for ROCK DCM began in February 2000. Our role includes overall control and responsibility for programme procurement and delivery reporting direct to the Client. ROCK DCM are involved in ongoing reviews even at the detailed design stages to ensure buildability, quality, value for money and identify lead in times and availability of materials.

2001

• Grey Wolf Studios

• Gartcosh Residential
• Cumbernauld Residential

• Scottish Paralment

Argyll Chambers – AC2, AC5 and AC6

Argyll Chambers, above the prestigious Argyll Arcade on Buchanan Street, Glasgow is a ‘gem’ of a property. Previously a family owned jewellers we inherited a space stifled by years of neglect on the fifth floor. You cannot hide class, and after some creative thinking, we let the space breathe and show off this legacy of the Victorian era.

How best to furnish it? Design your own.

How best to deal with the 12 safes left in the space? Use them for storage, wine chiller, library, filing system.

At ROCK DCM (and our sister company STONE 3) we just love a challenge and despite the lift not being operable at the time of the site works, we used it as an opportunity to get fit…until the gym was ready that is. The success of AC5 gave Client confidence to instruct a similar project on 2 and 6 floor, and subsequently to refurbish the common areas under instruction from all Co-owners. Argyll Chambers is now in a condition that much better reflects its Listed status. For our Clients, this added considerable value to their portfolio.

Barras Regeneration Project

ROCK DCM became involved in the Barras Regeneration Project from November 1998. The role of the company was as design consultants. This meant taking an advisory role with the Client Team on the various options for regenerating the market place.
Concurrent with this project was a masterplan for the general area in the East End of Glasgow within which the Barras market fell.

The final scheme included substantial improvements to the quality of the public realm by forming a glass roof over the two principal market streets.

K-Apartments Kilsyth

Fresh out the urban landscape and straight into Main Street, Kilsyth, K_Apartments was born and delivers an unlikely product within this Conservation Area. TATE Modern meets Kilsyth.

The converted supermarket is now home to lucky residents of 11 of the hottest properties in North Lanarkshire. Each privately rented apartment attracted considerable attention and it is hardly surprising given the quality of natural light, generous floor-to-ceiling heights, and extremely spacious rooms. Half face towards the Campsie Hills, the others face towards Main Street.

The deep floor plan meant bathrooms and en suites were all internal, and we brought natural light in using sunpipes. Urban view, or rural view? Inhabiting this upper floor space has increased footfall, desirability within the region and encouraging prosperity within the Town.  Within the project structure we were Developer-Designer-Contractor (and funder) and collaborated with CRGP who worked as Architect, Engineer (Aecom), Quantity Surveyor, CDM Co-ordinator and Project Manager.

Whitehouse – Kilsyth

This challenging project fused old and new, bringing new life to two fire damaged buildings; the Listed Whitehouse building, and it’s neighbour. The project took a journey that involved structural consideration, services, regulations, aesthetics, quality of space and environment together with addressing property market conditions and Town Centre regeneration. This was an all-encompassing project and allowed us to deliver an important move for regeneration, the relocation of Kilsyth Police Office.

Redeveloping these properties has raised the profile of, and restored civic pride in the main civic street; brought additional footfall to the street; additional population within the 24-hour clock and helped achieve the critical mass necessary to sustain a healthy Town Centre.

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