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On 11 May 2024, 6RG was honoured with an M&E Build on Quality award from the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI). This national accolade was awarded to 6RG in recognition of their exemplary management of quality inspection and reporting on the historic Holborn Bars building in central London.
The high-voltage and low-voltage electrical infrastructure at Holborn Bars, which was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1879, was in need of a planned life cycle replacement. The building managers, CBRE, took this opportunity to also upgrade the system by installing automatic switching of high-voltage equipment and the latest efficient transformer technology (including Schneider Genie EVO VC-6P8 & VC-6P1 switchgear and GBE ER3R12 2000/1600/1250/0800 tranfomers ).
This complex project aimed to carry out all works whilst ensuring uninterrupted business continuity for building managers, CBRE, tenants and building users alike. The building’s unique architectural layout, with overlapping floors and shared services across three interconnected structures, posed significant coordination challenges.
To address these challenges, 6RG implemented a three-step method: to review, inspect, and report. The clerk of works service conducted a detailed review of the project to understand the contract documents; this review then informed site inspections; and each inspection was followed with a comprehensive report highlighting the achieved milestones and good practices, along with areas for improvement and potential risks.
Vincent McMonagle, Director at 6RG, emphasised the key area that secured the project’s success: “We understand the complexity of the project, and our job is to bridge the technical language gap between the contractor team and the client, to ensure clear and effective communication on all sides.”
“We’re delighted to receive this national award in recognition of our efforts at Holborn Bars; it shows that by maintaining our independence from project managers, design teams and contractors, we are able to guarantee unbiased advocacy for our clients, which in turn ensures a good project outcome for everyone.”
CBRE, the building managers, also played a central role in the successful delivery of the project. Bharti Hirani and Peter Ginger, led by Property Manager Jocelyn Trayler-Clarke, collaborated closely with 6RG to effectively navigate numerous challenges, ensuring business continuity, robust health and safety compliance, and minimal disruption to the building’s occupants. CBRE also managed the financial aspects of the large-scale initiative through the building’s annual service charge budget, ultimately delivering a high-quality solution.