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DECEMBER • 2016
Construction
WORLD
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AECOM’s first task orders (from 1 July 2014 to 31 March 2016) were completed
on time (2016 academic start) and within budget (cumulatively R750-million)
for the first three building projects and associated infrastructure. To date, about
12 people from the Construction Services business line have participated in
the completed projects. The cumulative value of the programme (all projects
completed to date as well as projects currently underway) is standing at
approximately R1,5-billion.
The team earned high praise from the client, and AECOM’s extended
contract up to May 2018 is testimony to the client’s satisfaction and faith in
the AECOM team. AECOM team’s commitment, effort, drive, ability to sort out
design issues and getting consultants to commit, being able to assist with the
contractors’ commitments to deliver, managing socio-economic commitments
in a difficult environment, and overall professional conduct while always
considering the interest of the programme first on this challenging NEC target
cost framework contract all contributed to the overall success.
While a 5 Star Green Rating on the Sol Plaatje Uni Project was not opted for,
there were some innovations with regards to environmental considerations.
While the design specifications for wet services were not explicit, the main
emphasis was on sustainability and best practice.
The initial construction phase consisted of three main buildings, handed
over at the beginning of April 2016, with the aim of building several more
residence and lecture buildings over the next few years. A centralised services
building supplies the residence and academic buildings. It houses the potable
water pump set, the grey water treatment system, hot water generation plant
and pump set, and chillers for the TABS system.
The arid Northern Cape receives an average of 202 mm of rain a year, which
resulted in the specification of two 125 000 litre galvanised sectional steel
potable water storage tanks. Adjacent to the services building precinct, the
tanks are fed by the municipal potable water supply, before being reticulated
around the campus by means of a 150 DN ring main.
Black water is collected in a sump outside the services building and pumped
into the municipal sewer line by three submersible macerating pumps. The
sump overflow is also directed into the municipal line on Scanlan Street.
SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY
In May 2014, the University of Witwatersrand appointed
AECOM to provide project management services relating
to the development of the Sol Plaatje University precinct
in Kimberley.
Professional Services
C