Delivering solutions for the scientific and medical research sector

At Rock, we’ve given the benefit of our expertise in waterproofing and renewable technology to many different types of project. These include hotels, office developments, schools and colleges, retail centres and car parking facilities. But in recent years we’ve found ourselves gaining a reputation for our work in another, highly specialised area – scientific and medical research facilities.

Much of the UK’s economic prosperity depends on its scientific base, which has attracted billions of pounds of investment. As Rock and our partners in the construction industry know, labs have demands quite unlike those of most other buildings. They must accommodate sophisticated technology and potentially hazardous processes, and be flexible enough to respond to changes in technologies and research programmes. Scientific research is fast moving and often driven by commercial imperative and the need to compete globally.

Rock’s experience in this sector has given us a keen appreciation of its requirements. Recent projects include Imperial College’s L Block for Bovis, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge for BAM and the Oxford Molecular Pathology Institute (OMPI) for Mace Plus. Further details of all three can be found in the Projects section of this website.

Rock’s dedicated car park services

Rock are always looking to expand our offer to clients and maximise the value we can bring to their projects. Car parks represent a growing area for Rock, and one that allows us to demonstrate an impressive range of capabilities. For over 40 years we have played an important role in the construction and maintenance of car parking facilities across the UK. Where our involvement once centred primarily on waterproofing, we now deliver a comprehensive package of services designed to enhance the whole car park environment, from lighting and wayfinding through to coloured finishes and markings.

In many instances, before we enter a hospital, shopping centre, office building or college, we first encounter its car park. This is why a car park’s importance in establishing a positive brand experience should not be underestimated.

A neglected car park can easily imply an uncaring business.

Whether your project is a new-build, upgrade or refurbishment, Rock help your car park immediately create a favourable impression by being safe, bright, welcoming and well-maintained. We can also ensure that it complies with the standards set by the latest EU legislation.

Recent car park projects for Rock include the upgrade of Windsor Dials for FM Global, waterproofing and colour markings for the lorry deck at Heron Tower for Skanska, the new-build Tesco Extra in Walsall for Bowmer & Kirkland and the complete refurbishment at Cumbernauld for CBES. The last two of these are covered in more depth in the Projects section of this website.

Traditional roofing finishes for BSF schemes

In July the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, announced that following a review, the Building Schools for the Future programme was to be scrapped, while a number of proposed academy schemes are now to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Birmingham Ormiston Academy is one of those which remains unaffected by the decision, and when it opens in September 2011 it will offer a specialist digital media, creative and performing arts curriculum for 14-19 year olds.

Birmingham Ormiston is an ambitious venture to establish a regional academy of national significance, and is a major project in the wave of BSF schemes to benefit from Rock’s capabilities. Although Bovis is the main contractor for this scheme, we’ve found ourselves also working closely with the Sharkey Group, the envelope provider. Of particular interest for us is the fact that the client has specified 100% asphalt roofing for Ormiston. This follows a number of Rock’s other education sector projects, such as the two schools in Salford for Laing O’Rourke, that have reverted to traditional finishes for their waterproofing needs. What does this trend signify?

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Raising the bar on training

Is it possible that those in the roofing trade are becoming less proficient? Rock certainly believes that such a danger exists. The reason could be that, in recent years, our industry has witnessed the launch of a wide range of new products that certainly have important applications, but which entail a much lower degree of skill.

“Not so long ago, mastic asphalt teams were highly trained,” explains John Walsh, our managing director. “You had to undergo a full apprenticeship and would spend many hours on construction sites to gain direct, invaluable experience of the trade. Getting your hands dirty was central to the whole learning process.”

John feels strongly that although many of the new roofing products have clear benefits, the relatively limited levels of skill they demand have inadvertently brought about a gradual ‘dumbing down’ throughout our profession. That’s a tendency which Rock is now actively working to reverse.

How? By insisting that all Rock’s site staff are NVQ-qualified to the level required of each trade. A National Vocational Qualification is a 'competence-based' credential with an emphasis on learning practical, work-related tasks designed to help develop the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively.

John Walsh recognises that one of the advantages of NVQs is that they can be completed at a pace which suits the needs and available time of each person. “Not only are they suitable for our fully employed site personnel, but also those studying at college who have a part-time job or work placement at Rock.

“For me, their value lies in the fact that an assessor will observe you and question you about the real work you carry out in the workplace, and will test your knowledge and understanding as well as your actual performance. Ultimately, that’s good for clients and good for business. Rock is committed to leading our industry with regard to NVQ training and promoting a revival in the traditional skills and craftsmanship associated with roofing.”

Safety day with Dramanon

At Rock, we credit much of our success to our excellent reputation with regard to Health and Safety. Rock’s business ethos is one that seeks to continually develop a holistic attitude towards Health and Safety, rather than simply an understanding. There are many ways to help promote such a mindset. One of the more entertaining involved our recent “safety day” in collaboration with the company Dramanon.

Dramanon was established in the 1990s and is a leading provider of drama-based training in the UK. As well as those like ourselves in the construction industry, Dramanon’s clients include law firms, retailers, pharmaceutical companies, Police and Fire services, Councils and NHS Trusts. Activities range from role-play, forum theatre, assessment, evaluation and consultation through to DVD production alongside conventional training models.

For many of us at Rock, experience in drama has gone little further than milling about on stage years ago as an extra in a school production. So it was perhaps with some trepidation that we found ourselves preparing for a day with Dramanon. But there was absolutely no need to worry. The team at Dramanon quickly put us all at ease before engaging us in their excellent course in Health and Safety Management. This is an area in which they have much experience, as they have participated in nationwide events for the Health and Safety Executive on the dangers of exposure to workplace Noise and Vibration.

In all, our designated Safety Day with Dramanon proved stimulating, enlightening and a great deal of fun. Though we all got fully into the spirit of the event, it’s unlikely that our skills as thespians will ever see us giving up waterproofing and renewable technology in exchange for a life treading the boards. Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Judi Dench can sleep peacefully!

The future is green

Ultimate Green Roof

As a specialist provider of world class waterproofing and green roof systems, Rock have been called upon by the likes of Laing O’Rourke and Sir Robert McAlpine to create truly distinctive rooftop spaces for some of their most prestigious schemes.

Why do main contractors turn to us? “For several reasons, I think,” explains John Walsh, Rock’s managing director. “First, we offer great flexibility. With such a range of component products, no two green roofs are ever going to look the same. It’s an endlessly adaptable system that allows us to create something unique for each client. Secondly, there’s the sheer craftsmanship of our team. Now, I can’t claim to be the most green-fingered of gardeners, so I’m as impressed as our clients are by the skill and imagination of our horticulturists. Finally, there’s the unrivalled quality of our waterproofing, which maintains the integrity of any green roof.”

Rock has created a number of landscaped roofs for major commercial projects such as Watermark Place and City Inn Tower of London. “There’s no doubt,” continues John, “that they offer advantages for building developers, owners and users. Green roofs promote sustainability and biodiversity and can deliver long-term financial benefits. And who doesn’t enjoy the stunning views they offer? I’m not in the least bit surprised that green roofs are one of the fastest-growing areas of our business. No pun intended!”

A strong sense of tradition

Bespoke roofing services

Zero carbon buildings, renewable technologies, responsible stewardship of natural resources. These days, Rock is much in demand as a consultancy that is able help the construction industry advance the evolution of smarter, more sustainable buildings. And we continue, of course, to develop and supply intelligent solutions for the waterproofing of roofs and elevated vehicle decks.

But does this mean that Rock now places less importance on the more traditional roofing skills that are sadly in recession? Far from it. In fact, this area of our business is currently experiencing something of a resurgence. Mansards, lead welding, cappings, tiles and slates – these are all elements which require a high level of professionalism and dedication if they are to be of the excellent standard demanded by some of our more prestigious contracts.

A recent example of this would be 49 Park Lane, an office development in Mayfair where Rock was entrusted with the mansard roof and balconies. Pat Walsh at Mace described our contribution as “the best lead work installation I have ever seen, and a testament to a traditional skills which I am sorry to say appear to be in decline elsewhere in our industry.”

Rock’s managing director, John Walsh, added, “Bespoke roofing and ancillary products, such as guard rails, skylights and vents, will always remain a core offer from Rock. Our clients rely on our ability to supply a complete pitched roof package, and all the painstaking craftsmanship which that entails.”