The RAAC Challenge
The discovery of RAAC in thousands of public buildings has highlighted the importance of robust project planning and proactive estate management. Many institutions are now facing difficult decisions about closures, funding allocations, and the need for fast-track remediation.
Our consultancy has direct experience of working with clients across education and healthcare, where RAAC and dilapidated estates remain ongoing concerns. For example, our long-term work with the University of Southampton has involved developing strategies for residential accommodation where structural and compliance issues needed to be addressed alongside ambitious improvement programmes.
These projects have highlighted the value of clear stakeholder engagement, risk management, and robust contract administration. Without strong consultancy support, clients risk not only spiralling costs but also disruption to the very services these buildings are meant to provide.
Building Towards a Sustainable Future
While safety and compliance remain paramount, there is an equally pressing drive towards sustainability in construction. The UK’s net zero targets, alongside corporate and institutional sustainability goals, are pushing the industry to adopt renewable technologies, improve energy performance, and deliver buildings that are both functional and environmentally responsible.
Cliftons Projects has been at the forefront of this transition:
Promega Solar Trees – We managed the installation of 12 bespoke solar canopies at Promega’s UK headquarters car park. These were not just functional structures providing renewable energy for EV charging and office use; they also served as unique sculptural pieces of architecture, designed to inspire as well as perform.
Basingstoke Data Centre Upgrade – This project involved the fit-out of a new data hall and an adjacent cooling system extension, prioritising energy efficiency, sustainability, and acoustic performance. It demonstrated how essential infrastructure can be adapted to meet modern environmental standards while maintaining resilience and capacity.
Spa New Build Project – For a boutique hotel operator, we delivered a spa facility that used a careful blend of reclaimed and modern materials to create an aesthetic rooted in heritage, while remaining fully compliant with today’s building regulations.
Balancing Today’s Risks with Tomorrow’s Goals
What tied these projects together was the need to balance immediate risk management with forward-looking innovation. Clients expected their construction partners to deliver buildings that were safe, cost-efficient, and resilient at the time of completion—while also being sustainable, adaptable, and future-proof.
Our role as Project Managers, Client Representatives, and Cost Consultants was to sit at that intersection. Whether coordinating fast-track healthcare refurbishments, managing complex university accommodation programmes, or overseeing sustainable upgrades, Cliftons Projects brought clarity, control, and confidence to every stage of the process.
The Cliftons Projects Approach
From inception through to completion, our team ensured that:
Risks were identified early and managed effectively.
Budgets were controlled through transparent cost consultancy.
Contracts were administered fairly and robustly.
Sustainability opportunities were embraced wherever possible.
This approach allowed us to help clients not only respond to immediate challenges but also invest in long-term opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The industry will continue to face pressure to remediate unsafe estates while meeting ambitious net zero targets. For many organisations, this dual challenge may seem daunting. At Cliftons Projects, we view it as an opportunity to bring together our experience in dispute resolution, project planning, and sustainable delivery to create spaces that are safe, efficient, and inspirational.
As demonstrated across our diverse portfolio from Itchen Sixth Form College’s new teaching facilities to Chelsea & Westminster’s healthcare refurbishments, and from corporate data centre upgrades to innovative renewable energy projects—we remain committed to delivering construction solutions that meet the highest standards today while paving the way for a sustainable future.
For more information about our services or to discuss how we can support your next project, feel free to contact us info@cliftons-projects.com