News
18/05/2007 – Yorkon Completes 4th Offsite Project at London City Airport
Off-site construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has completed its fourth modular building project at London City Airport.
In four years, Yorkon has delivered modular building contracts worth more than £4m as part of the airport’s continued expansion. London City Airport is now recognised as one of Europe’s leading airports for business travel and passenger throughput increased by 20 per cent last year.
Yorkon’s latest project was to extend the award-winning Jet Centre, which handles corporate aviation. Originally built by Yorkon to facilitate expansion, the centre was voted Best Corporate Aviation Passenger Handling Facility in Europe. The building has now been extended to create additional space for arrivals, office accommodation and facilities for aircraft engineers.
The Yorkon approach significantly reduced the programme time and ensured earlier completion of the new facilities, to the benefit of corporate clients and passengers.
The two-storey building, which is finished in the airport’s corporate colours, now accommodates VIP arrival facilities, departure lounges, immigration, customs, crew facilities, chauffeur parking and offices. Fully trained airport staff provide flight planning, weather briefings and landing clearances, ground handling arrangements, flight watch, catering, refuelling and baggage handling from the building.
Commenting on the Jet Centre project, Richard Gooding, Chief Executive of London City Airport, said,"The Jet Centre extension is part of our continued investment programme to ensure we deliver an excellent service to our corporate aviation clients. This high quality building was designed to make a strong visual statement and to reflect our corporate image. Internally, finishes are of the highest standards and large spans of glass allow superb views of the apron and runway."
"The Yorkon approach provided us with a striking and prestigious yet cost-effective building, with minimal disruption to the running of this busy airport and in significantly less time."
Jonathan Smith, Project Manager for the Jet Centre scheme said, "We are very happy with the Jet Centre building, which met our design criteria for a feature building in a prominent location at the entrance to the airport. It has been well received by our customers and is easy to keep clean. The Yorkon system creates a highly flexible interior for space planning, and has allowed us to expand the facilities in a phased way that suits our operations."
"The timing of the cranage and work on site were critical to fit in with aircraft movements. I am pleased to report that both Jet Centre projects were delivered precisely on programme and within budget."
Other projects carried out by Yorkon at London City Airport include construction of City Aviation House – a purpose-designed 3,000sqm headquarters building, which was delivered less than six months after start of work on site.
Editor’s Notes
1. The Yorkon approach to off-site construction offers a number of clear advantages over site-based building methods:
- programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent
- greater cost control
- less disruption
- safety improved by up to 46 per cent
- earlier occupation
- guaranteed quality
- greater design flexibility
- enhanced thermal efficiency
- less risk for the client.
2. Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a controlled factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days ready for fitting out.
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