Reaching three stories into the sky the new Evangelical Presbyterian Church on the Stranmillis Road, Belfast, is a huge statement for all teams involved. Leo Matheson Ltd was the Main Contractor on the project and was the ideal choice when it came to such an intricate, demanding building.
The company has worked on several church projects in the past and is familiar with the sensitivity that is required with buildings of this nature. Leo Matheson has been a building contractor for over 25 years. He has built up an enviable reputation for successfully delivering first class projects for all his clients. The company has gone from strength to strength. This portfolio of repeat clients is thanks to Leo Matheson’s work ethos and his dedicated team of skilled workforce.
“I have a hands-on approach on every project we undertake. I am driven by results and feel confident taking on any challenging project because I have complete confidence in my experienced team,” said Leo Matheson, the Director of Leo Matheson Ltd.
“We have a great working relationship with the sub-contractors and suppliers we appoint. We have built this relationship up over the years. They know the high standard we expect from them. There is always a great working ethos from everyone and a collaborative approach to solving any issues.”
Despite the challenges associated with this site, Leo Matheson Ltd was commended by the client for the company’s ability to successfully complete the project on time and with such high quality workmanship.
The main focus at Stranmillis was on keeping the project on schedule. To ensure this was achieved Leo Matheson Ltd had a traffic management plan in place to co-ordinate deliveries. Good communication between the Contracts Manager and the Design team, Bruce Shaw Quantity Surveyors and Like Architects, was paramount and key to the success of the project. One of the most visual aspects of this majestic building is the highly impressive exterior with bespoke stone cladding and curtain walling to the front.
Through glazed doors, the entrance lobby leads into a large open, multifunctional space. There are informal seating areas throughout the building for quiet reading or reflection. The client was very keen to future proof their building for their growing congregation. With this in mind a changing places disabled bathroom was fitted.
The large auditorium was fitted with a state-of-the-art AV system while three contemporary kitchens were installed, one on each level, to meet all their patrons’ needs. The specialist work involved in the exposed ceiling on the top floor showcased and highlighted the company’s ability to deliver top class workmanship.
From being able to manage a challenging site location to meeting the specific requirements of the client, the work by Leo Matheson Ltd on this project has once again demonstrated why the company has such an enviable reputation for high standards and excellence.
Leo Matheson Ltd, 32 Main Street, Castlewellan, Co. Down, BT31 9DG
T: 028 4377 1900
E: contracts85@leomatheson.com
W: www.leomatheson.com
Sub Contractors
As with every project undertaken by the team at Murdock Builders Merchants, ensuring materials were delivered to site in a timely manner was the company’s highest priority. A wide range of market-leading, durable, high performance products were supplied by Murdock’s to the project, with every effort made to ensure items were delivered to site on time.
Materials supplied included roofing products and insulation along with a diverse range of products for every element of the project. Murdock’s is known for its reliability and efficiency and was the first choice when it came to sourcing products of the highest quality for this prestigious project. It was these credentials that ensured Stranmillis EPC ran to schedule and was completed on time.
All deliveries were made to site exactly when they were needed, which allowed the multiple teams working on the project to complete their tasks efficiently and in a timely manner. An established relationship with the main contractor also helped ensure a smooth construction period.
Murdock Builders Merchants, Unit 7 Rampart Business Centre, Greenbank Industrial Estate, Rampart Road, Newry BT34 2QU
T: 028 3025 0634
E: newry@murdockbuildersmerchants.com
W: www.murdockbuildersmerchants.com
50mm Crème Cascais Portuguese limestone was utilised for the main facades while 50mm Ballymagrehan granite was utilised for the plinth course. All of the stone was fixed back to the concrete/block work internal face with propriety stainless steel fixings and dowels with stainless steel support carrying angles positioned at every floor level.
The main challenge for the team at S McConnell & Sons was the extremely tight site restrictions. “The building is located right on the corner of Stranmillis Road and Pretoria Road. There was limited storage space on site resulting in us having to sometimes deliver stone and position it straight onto the scaffold platforms,” said Paul Morris, Contracts Manager at S McConnell & Sons Ltd.
An excellent working relationship with the main contractor ensured the project ran smoothly. “We worked with the architects and structural engineers previously and as with these other projects, we worked very closely with them to resolve any issues that arose on the Stranmillis project.”
S McConnell & Sons Ltd, 184 Carrigenagh Road, Kilkeel, Co. Down, BT34 4QA
T: 028 4176 3717
E: info@smcconnellandsons.com
W: www.smcconnellandsons.com
Afairly detailed list of mechanical requirements at Stranmillis EPC didn’t faze the experienced team at Hanna Mechanical.
As the primary source of thermal energy for the church is natural gas, Paul Graham and the team at Hanna Mechanical installed a new gas line from the external meter under the main church floor to serve the two gas fired system boilers.
Heating for the building comprises two gas-fired wall hung system boilers, also installed by the company. One of these boilers provides LTHW to the underfloor heating circuit and the other boiler provides LTHW to the radiator circuit. The underfloor heating is controlled by a wall mounted LCD display thermostat that can be adjusted to suit. The radiators also have TRV valves fitted to them which can be adjusted to regulate heat output.
Hanna Mechanical also installed extract fans in the kitchen, toilet and breakout areas which are controlled via a PIR in the ceiling or a local controller which can be adjusted to suit conditions.
The plumbing element of the mechanical package included a new mains water supply to the building which serves new male/female toilets, disabled toilets and showers, kitchens and a changing places room for severely handicapped people.
Thanks to extensive experience across a range of diverse projects, the team at Hanna Mechanical completed the works to an extremely high standard. “The only real challenge was installing all the services to a very tight budget and an even tighter program. We were under pressure to meet the deadline as a wedding was booked at the church very close to the completion date,” said Paul Graham, Contract Manager at Hanna Mechanical.
Having worked on religious projects in the past, Paul and the team knew what to expect.
“The difference was, this was our first new build religious project. As it didn’t have a burial ground we didn’t have to be just as sensitive.” This was also the first time the company had worked with the other teams involved on the church. “We all worked together to reach the end goal, which was to provide a new place of worship with modern build facilities for the client.”
Hanna Mechanical Services, Emerson House, 14B Ballynahinch Road, Carryduff, Belfast, BT8 8DN.
T: 028 90 817 841
E: info@hannamechanical.com
W: www.hannamechanical.com
Aprestigious project like Stranmillis EPC required expert workmanship from all construction and design teams working on the building.
Bann Architectural Systems certainly fit the bill; the company has been operating since 2010 and has experience working across a variety of sectors throughout Northern Ireland.
A range of high specification products were manufactured and fitted by Bann Architectural Systems for the Stranmillis Church including aluminium windows and glazing, along with a bespoke curtain walling system. Bespoke framing was also required for the project. Work was completed on time, allowing the other design teams to complete their own scope of works.
Bann Architectural Systems’ experienced and knowledgeable staff are well equipped to deal with any and all challenges that may crop up on a project.
“We were delighted to be involved on this project. There were some very specific requirements such as the bespoke curtain walling system, but nothing we haven’t encountered before. We’re proud to have worked on such a prestigious project,” said Kyle Bowman, Director at Bann Architectural Systems.
Bann Architectural Systems Ltd, 81 Halfway Rd, Banbridge, BT32 4HB
T: 028 9269 8855
E: kyle@bann-systems.co.uk
W: www.bannarchitectural.co.uk
Tiling specialist, JR Tiling, was the ideal choice when it came to an expert, aesthetically pleasing tiling job at the new Stranmillis EPC.
Years of experience across a range of industries have given the firm the expertise it needs to complete any job, on any project. JR Tiling is a specialist in complete bathroom renovations, professional tiling service, high quality plastering and is also an NIC qualified electrician. The company also specialises in wetrooms and in moisture resistant MDF cladding.
Employing a professionally trained tiler brings great advantages to any project. JR Tiling consists of a knowledgeable, experienced team who provide quality workmanship and more importantly, peace of mind.
All teams on the Stranmillis EPC worked collaboratively to ensure the highest quality job was achieved. With a wedding booked directly after the completion date, all teams were under pressure to meet the very tight deadline. JR Tiling was more than up to the job when it came to finishing the job on schedule, while maintaining the highest levels of quality.
JR Tiling, 6 Kirkwood Park Lisburn, BT28 3RR
T: 028 92 660101
E: jrtiling777@btinternet.com
