The Bute Building is one of Cardiff’s most prestigious buildings located in Bute Park area of conservation. Designed by Percy Thomas and Ivor Jones in 1911 and now holds Grade II listed status. The Building is very imposing with Roman Doric Columns at the front of Building, which is fitting as the building is now occupied by Cardiff University: Welsh School of Architecture.  Whilst R&M were initially appointed under the Cardiff University framework to deliver the internal re modelling of the Bute Building, separately the University advertised the re-roofing, replacement glazing, Masonry repair and internal structural Steelwork scope as a D&B opportunity. R&M were appointed with designers HMA & RVW Consulting engineers to deliver this scope.

As a prestigious Grade II listed building, we obtained planning consent for the scope of works, and all protected features (e.g. slate works, lead and asphalt works, window and roof light, zinc cladding, masonry repairs and alternations etc.) were rigorously examined from method statement, to material quality, to quality of finish by the Cardiff Conservation Office for discharge of conditions.

Whilst the COVID19 pandemic impacted the occupancy of the building from April 2020 onwards, initially and as planned the building was occupied by some 600 students and lecturers daily. The Façade was fully scaffolded whilst maintaining access and egress to public realm and protected with security cameras and alarms and sheeted completely at low level. A 3-ton goods hoist was installed to hoist materials to the roof and temporary scaffold walkways and bridges were erected to ensure the operatives to access the work areas safely.

We coordinated and managed temporary and enabling works. A key element of complexity was bringing to life the new vaulted roof lights with triple glazed acoustic & solar glazing and form the openings for sliding walls in future fit out phases. This required extensive works propping and structural steel installation to carry out works safely while protecting the integrity of existing features.

In conjunction with the New Roof coverings, we installed a new fire alarm system complete with emergency lighting and task lighting, and a dedicated escape route off the roof into the protected stairwells. To ensure easy and safe access for future maintenance, we installed internal handrails at key points, but out of sight, allowing access to all roof areas, while maintaining aesthetic integrity.

The internal remodel and fitout was coordinated by R&M with Cardiff University staff allowing for the decant of classrooms, relocation of teaching facilities and reconfiguration of the new facilities. All areas were refurbished in line with Grade II specification, retaining as much of the existing finishes as possible, while delivering technology upgrades with new audio systems, 5G data wiring and energy efficient lighting and ventilation.

The ability to self-deliver many of the workstreams (including decorations and plaster repairs, carpentry including Fire Doors installs to FASRA certification, dry-lining walls and MF ceilings etc.) allowed us to control cost, programme as well as quality of installation. This proved to be invaluable over the COVID period, during various lockdowns and restrictions imposed at the time. With limited need to interact with subcontractors, we were able to take advantage of the unusually empty building and deliver the works ahead of programme, while still observing social distancing and keeping our people safe.