Zenith Developments were appointed as main contractor to build the new Allam Diabetes Centre for Hull and East Yorkshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Harrogate Steel were appointed as the structural steel sub-contractor in June 2020 to provide connection design, detailing, fabrication, and erection of the 140-tonne steel frame for the new building.

The Harrogate Steel team worked closely in partnership with the main contractor and their design team to ensure the complex architectural requirements were fully incorporated into the structural steel frame from the outset. The site itself was tight and access restrictive, which required an organised and flexible approach to ensure that any logistical problems and subsequent delays were avoided. The project was delivered a week early, largely due to strong and consistent onsite communication, and the regular attendance of the Harrogate Steel project team at all site-based planning meetings.

Dan Worsell, Harrogate Steel’s Operations Director, said: “This was an exciting project to be involved in, supporting the NHS in its role to deliver world leading treatment. The building has an unusual curved design and the site was logistically challenging, both factors that added a layer of complexity and required a flexible approach from our expert team. Our experience in designing, manufacturing and installing steel structures of all shapes and sizes, as well as working collaboratively with other contractors, helped ensure the smooth running of the project which we were pleased to deliver a week ahead of programme.”

Mark Thompson, Project Manager at Zenith Developments comments: “The Harrogate Steel team were very much an extension of our core project team throughout the early stages of this complicated project. The curved design of this building meant that the structural steel frame had to be fabricated, delivered, and erected in eight very specific and separate phases so attention to detail and keeping to the pre-agreed build times were the priority. Harrogate Steel’s attention to detail, commitment to punctual delivery and quality of work saved us a significant amount of time onsite and ensured quality and consistency from the start. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again.”