Provision of a world class explosive materials defence research facility

Energetics Analysis Centre

Dstl set out to develop a new explosive materials research centre using an NEC contract. The 7,000 m2 T-shaped building was to be arranged over three levels, with two floors of state-of-the-art chemical laboratories, workshops, offices, meeting rooms, welfare facilities and storage, and a roof-level plant floor.

I am very impressed with the work that has been completed on the new Energetics Analysis Centre. This was a highly complex construction project and Pick Everard, alongside Willmott Dixon and NG Bailey, has delivered a first-class building, which will enable the capability to continue to deliver its expertise for years to come.

Doug Embers

Chief operating officer at Dstl

Completed on time with the support of our project management and cost management team, the facility provides the UK with a world-class science and engineering facility to defend the nation from explosive materials. It provides Dstl with a modern, safe, and regulatory compliant strategic asset that will play a vitally important role in keeping the UK and its people safe.

The complex nature of the Energetics Analysis Centre project required an inclusive approach from the outset. This included early contractor involvement, during which value management and cloud-based building information modelling (BIM) and contract management software helped to improve design efficiency. NEC’s open-book approach also provided full transparency over contract pricing and risk allocation.

While construction was underway, there were several complex changes which needed to be accommodated.

Team members respected and trusted the contribution of others and worked fairly, collaboratively and cooperatively to drive the project forward to deliver the client’s requirements. A facilitated workshop at the outset enabled us to explore and discuss how best to bring to life a collaborative and cooperative working environment, and to start establishing the necessary respect and trust in each other's contributions.

Using NEC’s change-management mechanisms, the contractor was able cooperatively and openly to develop priced proposals and solutions that minimised the time and cost impact of changes. Our role as NEC Supervisor proved beneficial to both the client and contractor in that supply-chain delivery issues or design anomalies discovered during construction were resolved speedily to maintain the overall programme.