Building and Civil Engineering Contractors

Castle Hill Events Space project handed over

Major redevelopment works were completed during October 2015 by MSM Contracts, to convert single-storey council-owned garages into an indoor and outdoor events space. Located on the Hill of the O’Neill, in Dungannon town centre, the newly refurbished and extended building now provides impressive new facilities to host public events, weddings, exhibitions etc.

 

The 9-month project for Mid Ulster District Council also comprised the provision of a linear path around Dungannon and these works were delivered by our JV partner, A G Wilson Civil Engineering.

 

Designed by Coleraine-based architects, G M Design Associates, the works involved refurbishment of the existing garages to form 180m2 of internal events space. The newbuild construction works involved a three-storey side extension providing an entrance foyer, welfare facilities, first floor office space and a roof level viewing gallery with panoramic views. The full-height lift shaft is glass-fronted with ceramic ink artwork applied to the toughened glass panels. A single-storey extension to the opposite end, comprises a catering kitchen, store rooms, staff facilities and boiler/plant rooms. The prominent design feature is a 22m diameter tensile fabric structure over granite paving, providing 550m2 covered events space. This structure incorporates a curved structural steel frame, tensile fabric to the roof and demountable sidewalls, glazed rooflight and oak timber cladding.

 

The Hill of the O’Neill is regarded as a Scheduled Monument Area with the remnants of the Knox-Hannington towers, a private 18th century residence, in close proximity to the site. Vibration monitoring during mini-piling works and protection measures were implemented to ensure no damage to the towers during on-site construction operations.

Ulster Carpets Dye House & Energy Centre

As part of Ulster Carpets’ exciting plans to modernise their production facilities, the Portadown-based leading global supplier of Axminster and Wilton carpet ranges have appointed MSM Contracts to construct a new dye house and energy centre. This major project will enable Ulster Carpets to integrate new technologies at their Portadown site, including a dedicated steam production plant and advanced heat recovery system, which will help increase manufacturing capacity and reduce the environmental impact from the manufacturing processes.

 

The 40-week construction project is designed by RMI Architects (lead designers), RPS Group (structural & civil), Caldwell Consulting (M&E services), V B Evans & Co (quantity surveyors) and Hasco Europe (CDM Co-Ordinator).

 

The existing weaving shed will be extended to facilitate the new two-storey dye house and energy centre. Works will involve:
• Asbestos removal, demolitions and alterations to the existing weaving shed
• Driven precast piled foundations including ground beams and reinforced concrete works
• Structural steel portal frame including composite metaldeck to form the mezzanine floor
• Tegral roof and wall cladding systems
• PPC aluminium glazing, steel doorsets and roller shutters
• Complete high specification M&E services installation including lift services
• Interior fit-out works
• Provision of new H V substation, transformer room and switch room

 

The project will be delivered within a ‘live’ production site and has been programmed to have minimal impact on Ulster Carpets’ ongoing manufacturing processes and to ensure effective co-ordination with suppliers involved with installing specialist technologies/plant into the new building.

Full steam ahead at RPSI Whitehead!

The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) recently awarded MSM Contracts with the main building contract to carry out major development works to transform their Whitehead base into a unique visitor-friendly living museum and interpretive centre.

 

Works during the 36-week programme will involve major extensions to both the locomotive workshops and carriage shed, construction of an exhibition building, construction of a period-style signal building, a 60ft locomotive turntable and extensive siteworks.

 

Funding for the project, costing in excess of £2m, has been provided by Heritage Lottery Fund and Tourism Northern Ireland, with additional support from Mid and East Antrim Council and Ulster Garden Villages.

 

Our managing director, Robert Mackey, said: “MSM Contracts are delighted to have been appointed by RPSI to deliver the next phase of the development of their Whitehead Railway Centre. Having previously completed a construction project at the Whitehead site in the 1990s, MSM are proud to be involved as main contractor on another exciting project with RPSI that will seek to preserve the history and excellence of our steam train engineering past.
“Our company is positive that on completion of construction works, the Whitehead Railway Centre will be a first class living engineering museum and educational facility that will complement other recent tourist attractions in the local area.”

 

The professional design team on this NEC3 project comprises RPS Group (project manager, structural/civil engineers and CDM Co-Ordinator), Ostick + Williams (architects), TUV SUD Wallace Whittle (M&E), Clarke Shipway (cost manager) and Dillon Project Management (project manager for RPSI).

 

Pictured (from left to right) in the above image are Frank Robinson (RPSI), Spencer Savage (MSM Contracts), Alan McNeill (MSM Contracts), Caroline Bell (Tourism NI), Paul Mullan (Heritage Lottery Fund NI), Robert Mackey (MSM Contracts) and Dr Joan Smyth (RPSI)

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church works completed

MSM Contracts have recently completed the £1m extension and refurbishment of the Grade B+ listed Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in south Belfast. This project, delivered within an 11-month programme, has involved the construction of 2nr extensions and major internal refurbishment works to the existing church buildings, originally constructed circa 1874.

 

Located on a busy junction between University Street and Rugby Road, this project was delivered on a heavily restricted city-centre site. Construction work areas were segregated and sealed off from ‘live’ church areas to ensure the existing facilities remained available for church services and use by church groups.

 

To complement the existing church buildings and preserve the historic character of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, the finished project combines quality innovative design by Bangor practice Architects Knox & Markwell, with high levels of craftsmanship throughout from MSM Contracts and our supply chain.

 

The new welcome area with full-height glazing is constructed along the Rugby Road elevation and provides a welcoming entrance to the church. The striking design feature of the welcome area extension is the incorporation of the original external stonework walls into a full-height internal feature wall. This maximises the available space and provides an aesthetically pleasing contrast between the old and new construction.