Despite the recent weather, progress on Vita Cardiff, where we are working alongside architects Feilden Clegg Bradley and contractor Kier, has continued at a pace and the excavation for the basement has been completed on the new 19 storey residential tower, with the contractor now working upwards on the new reinforced concrete frame with post tensioned slabs. The core is to be constructed using slipform and it is expected that the full tower will be done in 11 weeks.  

There have been challenges along the way with the groundworks proving quite difficult. During piling, several of the large 750 diameter piles around the site perimeter were refused before they reached their full designed length. In order to mitigate the number of additional piles installed we worked with the contractor and pile designer to justify the reduced pile lengths where possible. We ended up only needing to install additional piles at one location – this proactive and considered response prevented there being an impact on the programme.

The project is expected to be completed in July 2021 ahead of the start of the academic year.