AA Projects Short-listed at QS Awards
7 November 2008

AA Projects has been short-listed in the "Best Project or Programme Management Firm of the Year" category of the QS Awards 2008.  The awards are organised by 'Building' and the award ceremony is to take place at The Brewery in London on 28 November 2008.  The standard of entrants and volume received was extremely high this year and the company is delighted with this achievement.

AA Projects Awarded the title 'Building Good Employer 2008'
3 November 2008

AA Projects has been selected by Building Magazine as one of the Top Employers within the construction industry for the second year in succession.  Building Magazine is the leading publication in the sector, with the highest circulation and readership.  This is another tremendous achievement for AA Projects and signifies the importance placed by the company on their workforce.

Celebration at Middlesbrough College New Campus
22 October 2008

The new £70 million Middlehaven campus for Middlesbrough College opened its doors to students in September and a celebration dinner to commemorate the move to Middlehaven has been hosted by the College Principal and Chairman of Governors. The 30,000 square metre campus houses 10,000 students and 1,000 staff in a visually stunning five-storey building that provides a state-of-the art teaching and learning environment.

Construction Consultant AA Projects was commissioned to provide Employer's Agent, Quantity Surveying and CDM Co-ordinator services on this iconic development.

For further information, please see the attached press release.

Archaeologists Lift Lid on Rare Roman Find
2 October 2008

On the site of a new commercial office development in Newcastle upon Tyne, two sandstone Roman sarcophagi dating back around 1800 years have been discovered complete with two skeletons. They are the first such find and arguably the most impressive in the area for more than 100 years.

The site is in close proximity to the Castle and is thought to have been the burial place of members of a rich and powerful family from the adjacent walled fort of Pons Aelius, established in the 160 AD close to Hadrian’s Wall,. Other finds have included a cobbled roman road, a Roman and a medieval well and the foundations of Roman shops and workers’ houses.

AA Projects is undertaking the role of Projects Manager, Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveyor and CDM Coordinator on this commercial development for BEMCO Fusion. Experts from Archaeological Services Durham University have been brought in to ensure that the archaeological riches are preserved for future generations.

AA Projects Expands Newcastle Team
11 September 2008

Construction and Property Consultants, AA Projects, has expanded its team in the Newcastle upon Tyne office.  Alex Edwards and Andrew Rapmund join the team which is headed up by Stuart Denton.  For further information, click here.

Retained Consultants at Liverpool Community College
22 August 2008

Following incorporation in 1999, Liverpool Community College was one of AA Projects initial clients. Since then, AA Projects has enjoyed a long term and ongoing business relationship with the College and are currently acting as Project Managers and CDM-Coordinators on the Phase 5 Property Strategy.  This phase involves the redevelopment of the College's current property portfolio along with the development of a new 10,000 square metre New Learner Centre in the heart of Liverpool City Centre.

Recently, some of the team at AA Project were invited to the retirement of the College's Principal Wally Brown CBE, known as the "People's Principal".  Wally has been Principal of Liverpool Community College since 1991 and has overseen huge changes in the College's performance and in particular it's accommodation strategy.  The College was rated as outstanding by Ofsted in 2005 and is recognised as a beacon institute.  It has been a great privilege for AA Projects to have supported the College, and specifically Wally, whilst he brought about significant changes both to the performance of the College and to its Property Strategy.  We wish him well with his retirement.  View Images…

New Campus Opened for Bolton Sixth Form College
15 July 2008

A visionary new development has been  officially opened for Bolton Sixth Form College. The new build  Farnworth Campus , designed to be contemporary and modern in appearance, will improve the urban character of the area and address the regeneration aspirations of Farnworth.  Consultants AA Projects have been involved with the project from the very outset advising on the property and funding strategy and ultimately providing the overall Project Management, Cost Consultancy, Employer's Agent and Health & Safety expertise on this visionary new development.  The works were completed within the contract sum and ahead of completion date, proving the project to be highly successful.

For further information, please see the attached press release.

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Earl of Wessex Opens MLZ
20 June 2008

The Earl of Wessex visited Macclesfield's world-class campus  today to see the magnificent facilities and perform the Official Opening of the £38 million Macclesfield Learning Zone (MLZ).   The MLZ is a brand new educational campus which opened to students in September 2007.  It is a unique collaboration between Macclesfield College (a general Further Education college) and two schools, Macclesfield High School (11-18) and Park Lane Special School (a school for 2-19 year olds with severe learning difficulties).
AA Projects provided the Project Management expertise for the development of the new 12,000 square metre campus for Macclesfield College and the joint Sixth Form College.

For further information, please see the attached press release.

Approval has been granted for an a new £70 million campus for the Oldham College which has been hailed as a key development in the regeneration of the town. AA Projects are providing Strategic Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying and CDM-C services on the redevelopment of this 8,000 student college.  For further details, click here.

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A spectacular new building for teaching and learning in Warrington has officially been unveiled at Priestley College. The Crescent Building is the final part of the recent £7 million campus development project at the "outstanding" sixth-form College.  AA Projects has provided the Project Management, Strategic Consultancy, Quantity Surveying and Health & Safety expertise on this 2700m² new, curved design, teaching block.
For the full story please click here.

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AA Projects has made a donation of £500 to Macmillan Cancer Support.  The company chose to send an e-Christmas Card in December, in place of traditional Christmas Cards and to make seasonal donation to a favoured charity.

AA Projects has been ranked number 13 in the list of Top 30 Quantity Surveying firms announced by QS Week for the year to December 2007 (Source: Emap Glenigan).  AA Projects is delighted with the position attained and the company growth and successes achieved in 2007.

For details of all the latest commissions and developments, please click here

AA Projects are providing the Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Health and Safety expertise for a new £82m campus for Burnley College which will provide first class teaching facilities.

The scheme will create a 21st Century campus with three distinct but interlinking and mutually supporting elements to incorporate Further Education, Higher Education and Adult Skills. For the full story click here.

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For details on recent commissions, please click here

AA Projects has been selected by Building Magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers within the construction industry. Building Magazine is the leading publication in the sector, with the highest circulation and readership.
This award signifies the importance placed by the company on their workforce and the unquestionable benefits provided to all clients and partners.

This is another tremendous achievement for AA Projects who are very proud to accept the title 'Building Good Employer 2007'.

The Coppice Centre was officially opened for Accrington & Rossendale College on the 20th September providing outstanding new facilities for their Performance Arts & Media and Hair & Beauty Departments. Joe Alessi helped to open the £15 million new campus, star of the London West End stage and a former College Performing Arts student. AA Projects has provided the strategic consultancy, project management, health & safety advice and quantity surveying services on the development of this first class teaching facility.
For the full story click here

For details of all the latest commissions and developments, please click here

A team from AA Projects have raised over £1,000 for Christies Fight Against Cancer by taking part in the Christies Manchester to Blackpool Cycle Ride. This is the third year that the company have supported the event, raising over £1,000 in charitable donations each year.  The team all completed the 60 miles from Manchester to Blackpool and were pleased to be able to once again support this annual fundraiser.

For details of all the latest developments and commissions, please click here

AA Projects have secured a number of recent new appointments.  For details of some of the latest developments, please click here

AA Projects has won a series of new commissions in March.  For details of these exciting new opportunities, please click here

AA Projects has recently opened an office in Newcastle upon Tyne to support their growing client base in the North East.  For the full story click here

AA Projects has been appointed to provide Project Management and Planning Supervisor services on the Liverpool Community College Phase 5 framework.  The Phase 5 Framework is anticipating a £30m capital expenditure over a 4 year period and comprises of a refurbishment programme, a multi-storey extension to the existing Arts Centre and a 10,000 square metre new build Learner Centre in Liverpool City Centre.  AA Projects is proud to have been retained consultants of Liverpool Community College for the last seven years, completing eight projects with a total development value of £52million.

AA Projects has been retained by Loreto College, attaining the commission to produce a Property Feasibility Study for their Phase 5 development valued at £15million.  Also, at Kendal College AA Projects continue their relationship, securing a commission to produce a Property Feasibility Study for their Phase 2 development.

AA Projects have made a donation of £500 to Cancer Research UK. The company chose to send an e-Christmas Card in December, in place of traditional Christmas Cards and to make seasonal donation to a favoured charity.

Prime Minister Tony Blair gave his official blessing to Darlington College's new £35m learning centre at the official opening on 22 December 2006.  For the full story click here.

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AA Projects received two prestigious awards at the QS News Awards Ceremony that was held in London on 8th December. The Construction Consultancy were winners in two categories and walked away with the title of Best New QS Firm and Best Strategic Construction Advisor.  Kevin McEvoy, Director of Quantity Surveying at AA Projects, was proud to receive the awards and said, "It is great to be recognised for our achievements.  These awards are a prestigious accolade in the industry and we are extremely pleased to receive both titles."

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For the 2006 QS News Awards, AA Projects have been shortlisted in two categories.  The Construction Consultancy has been nominated for the titles:  Best New QS Firm and Best Strategic Construction Advisor.  The awards are to be held at the Vinopolis in London on the 8th December, when the winners will be announced.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, performed the opening ceremony at Liverpool Community College's newest building on Friday 13 October. The £4.4 million facility on Mulberry Street is the latest of many major developments by the College and enhances student access to further education facilities in Liverpool 's city centre.

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Chris Thorpe has been appointed by AA Projects as Associate Director to head the company's  Building Surveying Division.  Chris joined us from Atkins where he was the Head of the Property and Surveying business in the North West.

Please click here for further details.

AA Projects have made three strategic appointments which support the Company's geographical expansion and sector development.  Stuart Denton (formerly Director of Gleeds Management Services), Matthew Hirst (previously LSC Regional Property Advisor) and Laurence Harte (former Director of Estates at Doncaster College) have all been appointed at Director or Associate Director level.

Please click here for further details.

AA Projects' Health & Safety Consultant, Tim Britton, is one of only a handful of individuals in the country qualified to provide Level 2 training in Fire Risk Assessments accredited by the British Safety Council.
Level 2 is the required standard designated by insurance companies 'as a minimum competence level' to conduct a fire risk assessment to replace the outgoing 'Fire Certificate'.

AA Projects were keen to support the cancer charity Christie's for a second year, in their annual fundraising Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride.  On Sunday July 16th, Mark Abbott (Project Manager at AA Projects) valiantly participated in the 60 mile ride from Albert Square in Manchester to Stanley Park in Blackpool, raising a tremendous £1,000 for Christie's.  Well done Mark!

AA Projects has appointed Matthew Hirst as Associate Director.  Matthew joins from the Learning and Skills Council where he was Regional Property Advisor.  Matthew is also a former director of Tribal Property Services.

Please click here for further details.

AA Projects' Health and Safety Consultant, Tim Britton, spoke at the Annual AOC Health & Safety Officers' Conference held on the 21 st June in Leicester.

The focus of the speech was to advise colleges of the new Fire Safety regulations which are due to come into effect in October this year.

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AA Projects have been appointed by Eurofins as Project Manager for a new £5m food testing laboratory to be built in the West Midlands. AA Projects are to act as client representative for the building of a developer shell and then lead the team during the design and construction of specialist fitting out works.

AA Projects' Health and Safety Team are to provide Fire Strategic Management services and Fire Training to Mid Cheshire College, in preparation for the new Fire Safety Legislation that comes into effect in October 2006.

AA Projects have been appointed to write an Estates Strategy for Liverpool Women's Hospital and are undertaking a feasibility design study for a £3m Research Centre for Better Births at the University of Liverpool.   

Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton performed the official turf-cutting ceremony on Friday 7 April to celebrate the start of construction of the £38 million Macclesfield Learning Zone campus.

This unique education scheme includes a 10,000 square metre campus for Macclesfield College together with a new joint Sixth Form College which are project managed by Manchester based AA Projects.

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The Rt. Hon. Sir Gerald Kaufman visited Manchester's Xaverian College on Friday 24 March to officially open the college's new £3.5 million Mayfield teaching block, part of an overall £6 million improvement project.

AA Projects have provided the project management, quantity surveying and planning supervisor services on this three storey, 1920 square meter building, which took ten months to build.

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Bury College's newest £6 million building, The Beacon Centre,  was officially opened by Bill Rammell MP last week.  AA Projects have provided the project management and quantity surveying services on the development of this state-of-the-art reaching facility which took just over 12 months to complete.

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All employees at Chester Zoo (North of England Zoological Society) are  to be  given Fire Training by the Health & Safety team from AA Projects.  The training is part of an on-going programme and follows on from the Fire Risk Assessment and Access Audit previously conducted on the zoo's facilities.  Marc Boardman, Facilities Manager at Chester Zoo, is pleased with the service provided:

''AA Projects have delivered an excellent fire training programme for all our employees and have conducted a thorough and invaluable fire risk assessment and DDA audit of all of the zoo's premises.  The safety of our visitors, animals and employees is of paramount importance and we would highly recommend the service to other organisations.  There are not many companies that can say they have conducted a fire risk assessment on a Lion House!''

The forthcoming RIBA / LSC Conference is to be held on Tuesday 21 March 2006 at RIBA in London .  As a member of the forum Paul Allen, Managing Director of AA Projects, supports the conference that aims to share ideas on procurement guidance and design excellence for learning built environments.  The event will provide an opportunity for dialogue and for deepening the understanding of best practice to date.  Paul will help facilitate the afternoon workshop Colleges Working with Schools to Meet Vocational Curriculum. The workshop will explore issues that relate to the Government's 14-19 White Paper, published in February 2005, which outlined major changes in the national curriculum and qualifications for this age group.

There will be a new statutory entitlement for all learners to access 14 new diplomas; the first 5 available from 2008. Diplomas will incorporate the GCSE and A Level qualifications but, additionally, a full range of vocational subjects, some of which schools will be unable to deliver except in partnership with colleges. This could have complex capital build implications.

If you would like to attend the event, please  contact Chloe Sadler, RIBA LSC Client Forum Co-ordinator, for a booking form or for further details.   Phone 020 7307 3799.

AA Projects further expand their Local Authority client base, with a new appointment on the Preston City Council framework agreement for Quantity Surveying Services.