Heinrich Meier, the SIG site is one of the largest industrial complexes in the canton of Schaffhausen. In addition to redeveloping the site, a new SBB station was built. In spite of everything, cars continue to drive around the SIG site. How do you manage to track everything that is going on?

Traffic only has an indirect impact on the construction site. The area where we are building is boarded off, so there is no traffic inside. Special details such as the traffic regime on Rheinstrasse and the SIG site are coordinated with the local police in Neuhausen and Reasco AG.

What is a typical day like for the site construction manager working on the Grünerbaum project?

There is certainly plenty for me to do in a working day as site construction manager. On the one hand, there are the scheduled activities like meetings, business talks, inspection walks and approval sign-offs as well as administrative tasks such as auditing accounts. At the same time, there needs to be some flexibility for unforeseen events. Every day there are small details and larger issues that have to be dealt with and resolved at short notice. 

What are the biggest challenges in projects like this?

Let me name two of many examples.

• The demolition work to be carried out was complex and intensive. The challenge here was to prioritise the safety of the workers at all times while keeping a swift pace.
• Another challenge is identifying crossover points between teams and deciding on protocols so that the right work can be done with everyone working independently.

‘THE DESIGN OF LOFT APARTMENTS AND THEIR LOCATION IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA CREATES A SPECIAL TYPE OF TENANT. THESE RESIDENTS WILL CERTAINLY BRING A FRESH WAVE OF INTERESTING IDEAS AS WELL AS A TAX BOOST TO THE AREA.’

People say we learn from experience. How much experience did you gain from similar projects in the past?

Although I’ve come across similar things in the past, the scale of the Grünerbaum project is new for me. Among other things, I’ve worked on residential buildings with underground garages, centre complexes and intensive shopfitting projects.

How do you manage to switch off at the end of the day when working on such a large construction project? And how do you recover after it is complete?

Every evening, I carry forward tasks that have not been completed to the next day and create a schedule, which clears my mind. Daily walks in the great outdoors and weekly meditation exercises help me to find a balance. That’s important.

Personally, what do you think will be achieved with the project in Neuhausen?

The design of loft apartments and their location in an industrial area creates a special type of tenant. These residents will certainly bring a fresh wave of interesting ideas as well as a tax boost to the area.

What surprises in old buildings like these are the most devastating or would massively complicate redevelopment of the site?

If there were unexpected site contamination or buildings in very poor condition, that would complicate or delay construction work. However, neither of these occurred because the planners and specialist committees carried out extensive work to clarify such matters in advance.

Let’s hear some brief, impressive facts:
How many employees?
How many tonnes of rubble?
How many tonnes of new material were used in the development?

It is impossible to give a specific number of workers on the complex at the moment. Depending on the work being done, the number of tradesmen on the construction site varies greatly. The demolition work resulted in some 1,200 cubic metres of mixed rubble and about 400 cubic metres of bulky items. All of the rubble was disposed of properly at the appropriate tipping sites. 

As for new building materials, an example is that about 500 tonnes of composite wooden boards (Fermacell) are being fitted for the interior walls. This material is being delivered on 26 or so cargo trains and installed by up to 30 people at any one time.

Many people are involved in a major project like this. How do you manage to communicate with everyone so that they are fully up to date, preventing false information from doing the rounds?

There are several tools in place for communications (see above). We hold meetings for planners and specialist planners as well as those involved in construction, building services and so on, all of which are duly minuted with instructions and feedback. That is the most important thing to note. For me, other crucial aspects are building inspections, management walks with open eyes, and an open ear for businessmen and tradesmen – as well as a kind of ‘diagnostic thermometer’.

How does the schedule look? Are you on track with the work and will the spaces be ready for occupancy in April 2018 in line with plans?

Every planner did an impeccable job leading up to the construction work. Unexpected tasks are handled quickly. Assuming that nothing extraordinary happens, we should be able to meet the ambitious deadlines we set.

Heinrich Meier

Construction manager
Site construction manager of the Grünerbaum project
Schmidli Architekten & Partner, Rafz