Radiation Oncology Unit at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre

Graceland Architects was appointed by the Joburg Oncology Group at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre to expand their existing radiation oncology facility. The expansion entailed the incorporation of a second linear accelerator bunker, control room and patient waiting area. The expansion would allow the JOG to increase their provision of critical services to their patients.

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Date Posted:

November 18, 2024

Radiation Oncology Unit at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre

Additions and Alterations to the existing outpatient facility.

Introduction and project description

Graceland Architects was appointed by the Joburg Oncology Group at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre to expand their existing radiation oncology facility. The expansion entailed the incorporation of a second linear accelerator bunker, control room and patient waiting area. The expansion would allow the JOG to increase their provision of critical services to their patients.

The project is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date in December 2024.
We assisted the client in overcoming several challenges like project phasing, project affordability management, construction programme supervision and direct specialist sub-contractor co-ordination.

In addition, we helped with the import and delivery logistics of the specialist lead-impregnated bricks to be used in the vault construction.

The project is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date in December 2024.

Anticipated completion date in December 2024.

Communication is key

Many of our clients are undertaking construction projects for the first time which can be very daunting. We make certain we develop the client’s brief carefully, keeping them constantly aware of the how the building design is developing to meet their needs.

Building designs tend to evolve due to ongoing site developments. Often, the initial design 3D images don’t reflect the final as-built condition. To keep the client abreast of the impact of any potential design changes, we prepare follow up 3d impressions to get their input and to prevent any unwanted surprises at the end of the project.

The most common construction contract is the JBCC Principal Building Agreement and in it the process for contract instructions is clearly defined.

Lessons for clients: Contract instructions

The concept of a contract instruction process in a building project is often misunderstood. The most common construction contract in South Africa is the JBCC Principal Building Agreement and in it the process for contract instructions is clearly defined.

Clients would do well to ask their architects to explain the process thoroughly so that all parties to the agreement are clear on how and when contract instructions are issued.

Contract instruction management

As with any project, unknown challenges arise during construction. To resolve these problems, the construction agreement between the client and the main contractor makes provision for the issuing of contract instructions. These instructions are approved, or rejected, by the client and executed by the main contractor.

Contract instructions can have a time implication or a cost implication, or both and it is the responsibility of the team to ensure the negative impact of additional cost and time are kept to a minimum.

The bunker project posed several challenges after the project proceeded to construction

The contract instruction procedure is the following:

  1. Requirement for a contract instruction is identified.
  2. Architect prepares a motivation for the instruction as well as any drawings and issues the documentation to the quantity surveyor for costing purposes.
  3. The quantity surveyor confirms the cost of the changes and submits to the architect.
  4. The architect packages the documentation and the costs and submits a Request for a Contract Instruction to the client.
  5. The client reviews the documentation and either approves, rejects, or requests additional motivation before committing to an approval.
  6. Upon approval, the architect issues a Contract Instruction to the main contractor.

The process can become significantly more complicated when the project duration could be affected by the instruction and additional indirect costs may be attributed to the instruction.

Clients must ask their architect to carefully go through the motivation with them to make sure they understand fully what the implications of the instruction are.

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