Ballymore Properties Ltd, Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms, Battersea, London, UK
There are few development opportunities left in London that can offer the sheer scope of the Nine Elms site in Battersea. With the US government building their new embassy on 5 acres, Ballymore have commenced developing the retained 15 acres and are constructing a bold 21st century mixed use development, drawing inspiration from the attractive residential and commercial estates which evolved over time in cities like New York and Boston – not inappropriate, as the new US embassy quarter will be a close neighbour. The development is a mix of 2,000 new homes, up to 600,000 sq ft of office space and in excess of 100,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.
In March 2013 we were first approached by the award winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in London for details of our ‘9×3’ and ‘9×6’ Multifix Air Bricks and adaptors to accommodate 204mm x 60mm flat channel ducting. Not long after, Ballymore Properties contacted us with enquiries which would ultimately lead to them taking full advantage of our Tailor-made by Rytons service.
Ballymore’s first requirement was for our ‘9×3’ and ‘9×6’ Multifix Air Bricks in specific RAL colours. This was easy to price and advise on lead times as our Tailor-made by Rytons service frequently handles orders for products in special RAL colours. Their requirement for an adaptor to take a single ‘9×3’ Multifix Air Brick to 204mm x 60mm ducting was a stock item however their requirement for a double air brick adaptor for ‘9×6’ Multifix Air Bricks was not so straight forward.
The problem was we didn’t have a double air brick adaptor in our range. However, due to a complex issue on this development the architect and m&e consultant required a double air brick detail connected to 204mm x 60mm flat duct.
We did manage to outsource an adaptor but it was not a perfect connection to our ‘9×6’ Multifix Air Bricks, and after providing Ballymore with a sample they felt the extra sealing work required on site would be risky from a quality perspective as well as costly in terms of programme and labour.
So, back to the drawing board! Which actually led us literally to the drawing board, as in September 2013 we started working on the prospect of designing and making a tool to manufacture a bespoke double air brick adaptor.
The first stage was for Ballymore to advise us how many double air brick adaptors they required; this enabled us to quote them an approximate unit price. After receiving the go ahead that the bespoke adaptor was the preferred way forward we commenced product design and commissioned tooling (always mindful that the product would be required on site in February/March 2014).
In January 2014 we ran the first test batch of double air brick adaptors and after a bit of tweaking set up full production for Ballymore’s requirement. In mid-February we supplied their first delivery which we heard was quickly distributed for use around the site.
Our Tailor-made by Rytons service continued to supply Ballymore with single and double air brick adaptors plus ‘9×3’ and ‘9×6’ Multifix Air Bricks in RAL colours throughout 2014.
Adam Jenkins commented “The product has been successfully utilised on this scheme and has proved satisfactory to all concerned. The level of support and rapid turnaround from Rytons ensured this product being successfully integrated at EG and Ballymore would recommend Ryton’s tailor-made service on future schemes where these complex issues arise.”
