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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