RSM – 103 Colmore Row

Project Snapshot

• Client: RSM UK
• Contractor: Oktra
• Location: 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham
• Type: Office Fit-Out
• Value: £1.7 million
• Area:
• Dates: 2022

Key Highlights

Scope

This rather unique and memorable project involved me delivering a high-end and sustainable office fit-out for RSM’s new flagship Birmingham location, within the iconic 103 Colmore Row building. The entire workspace was designed to align with RSM’s hybrid working strategy, as well as accommodate their plans for future growth.

Special Features

Speaking of RSM’s distinct hybrid workflow, this project required me to incorporate a handful of collaborative areas, meeting rooms, and breakout environments to meet a high EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A rating. RSM’s focus on sustainability and reducing their workspace’s environmental impact meant that I had to create a supremely energy-efficient workspace.

Yet, aside from ambitious sustainability goals, the project mandated that I deliver a premium workspace, with thoughtful design elements that helped support RSM’s hybrid working model and foster strong collaboration. Given that RSM and their staff didn’t have a great experience from their past projects, addressing their concerns and building good relationships is another factor that I had to consider, too.

Challenges

This project for RSM at the iconic 103 Colmore Row building wasn’t without its challenges, though:

1. Similar to another project that I was working on in the same building (Grant Thornton’s offices on the 17th floor), this project faced significant bottlenecks due to logistics in the building. We had to share resources with other construction companies working inside the 24-floor building. This included limited access to just a single goods lift and a single loading bay, which required careful scheduling and prioritisation on my part.
2. On top of that, this project with RSM and the contractor, Oktra, had to manage with increased foot traffic. Specifically, it coincided with the Commonwealth Games, with one of its stages and the popular mechanical bull tourist attraction located just adjacent to the building. As such, I’d have to negotiate every single day to ensure seamless deliveries amid thousands of additional visitors and passers-by.
3. It also wasn’t made any easier given that I had to work within a dynamic environment where there were constant adjustments! The landscape of 103 Colmore Row was ever-changing day to day, so I had to deal with these challenges by coordinating constantly and effectively with stakeholders, the landlord, the local council, and the facilities management (FM) team.

Result

Yet, despite the many obstacles that I had to go through during this project, it was completed safely, on time, and within budget! RSM’s managing partner even praised the entire project as the best delivery of a project they have seen so far, which is huge praise given the rather strict timeline I had to work with, and the logistical nightmare within 103 Colmore Row at the time. Better yet, the strong impression this left behind and my performance also led to extra work being considered for tender.

My Role

• Position: Senior Site Manager

Responsibilities

As the senior site manager for this project for RSM and Oktra, it came with a myriad of responsibilities, such as:

• Overseeing site operations and ensuring that the project adhered to strict timelines, quality standards, and environmental policies.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders, including the client, landlord, local council, and FM team to help streamline workflows and resolve logistical challenges.
• Managing and prioritising the use of limited resources, like the building’s singular loading bay and goods lift, the fact that I was one of the only people with master keys to all service risers, and fostering good relationships, building morale, and securing support with the logistics team.
• Navigating increased foot traffic and tonnes of public passers-by during the Commonwealth Games, as well as ensuring that deliveries and operations remained uninterrupted.
• Working closely with the visiting client staff and making sure that meetings could showcase significant progress, requiring strong interpersonal skills to help rebuild their trust.

This project highlights the value of relationship-driven project management and combining my technical expertise with a client-focused approach. So, if you’re looking for someone to deliver a workspace that’ll exceed expectations under challenging circumstances, feel free to contact me today to discuss your needs!