I wonder how many of you are wondering ‘just why are you going to China….again ?!!’; well this visit is really about two in the main.  Firstly, with the second batch of modular units coming off the production line, it’s important to check that the final finish is as good as those that have already been delivered and are now in place.  Secondly, there are a series of meetings about what is known as ‘Soft Landings’ – that’s not what I’m hoping for as the plane lands but is in fact the process of introducing the building users to the finished building and will cover all operating procedures to ensure a smooth transition.

For my sins, I’m the Soft Landings champion for Park View and with colleagues from ESS will be co-ordinating the handover from drawing board to using the systems within the new accommodation.

Luke Gardner, Senior Project Manager is an enthusiastic supporter, : “soft landings is essential to every building project and enables the client to gain a real understanding and feel for the completed project”  whilst Paul Milburn, Project Director at Galliford Try believes that soft landings “allow the client to gain a fantastic insight into how the building will work, something crucial to a project of this size and complexity”

Responsible for the overall contractual management, Peter Carruthers Director at Summers-Inman believes that “soft landings is a further example of processes adopted to create exemplar projects for the University and student body”

See you in Dubai for an update….