Mulalley leverages Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud for enhanced construction management on complex cladding remediation works

Introduction

Mulalley, a leading family-owned construction company within the Sherrygreen Group of Companies, has been at the forefront of the construction industry since 1972. Specialising in new housing developments, social projects, major refurbishments, and estate regeneration, Mulalley is known for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction.

To address evolving regulations and complex project requirements, Mulalley has embarked on a transformative digital journey leveraging Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud. This commitment to excellence is exemplified by their recent work on the Queensland Road scheme in Islington, which recently scored a maximum of 46 out of 46 in the Considerate Constructors Scheme, including a bonus point for Inspect7 best practice. This achievement moved the project into the Outstanding category, with ratings of 15 out of 15 (Excellent) for respecting the community, caring for the environment, and valuing the workforce. The project involved extensive refurbishment work, including the removal and replacement of cladding systems, fire membranes, insulation, and decking, as well as landscaping works.

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The Challenge

The Queensland Road project is a significant undertaking that involves the Cladding Remediation and associated FRA works of a large-scale residential complex. The project faced numerous challenges related to construction management, requiring efficient progress tracking, comprehensive compliance documentation, and enhanced collaboration across project teams and stakeholders. Initial setbacks included coordinating the removal of existing sheathing boards, ensuring the installation of new fire safety measures, and managing the logistics of removing and installing balcony decking while maintaining safety and minimal disruption to residents.

With many specialist engineers and consultants involved in the numerous design stages, organising meetings or viewing site areas together was not an easy task due to everyone’s availability and time constraints.

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Results

The implementation of Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud has delivered transformative results for the Queensland Road project:

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Enhanced Compliance and Safety:

• 24/7 Monitoring: "One of the key benefits we quickly realised with Oculo is that it operates 24/7," said Nick Price, Operations Director. "We can log in anytime and see the entire site, allowing us to identify minor health and safety issues that we wouldn't have noticed otherwise."

• Transparency and Evidence: The system's timestamped, date-stamped documentation has been crucial. "In a world focused on compliance and evidence, Oculo provides us with the transparency we need," noted Nick. "It's all on a portal, and its instantaneous nature has driven standards of good practice up."

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Improved Efficiency:

• Streamlined Processes: Automation of data capture and progress tracking has significantly reduced manual efforts. "Oculo has become a fundamental part of our quality control process," said David Sole, Project Manager. "It captures everything in one go, eliminating the need to sort through hundreds of photos."

• Issue Resolution: Andre Culleton, Associate Operations Director highlighted the practical benefits: "You can highlight an issue, assign it to the site manager or subcontractor, write about the issue, give it a timeframe for resolution, and ensure it's closed out. This has improved our operational efficiency and safety."‍

• Virtual Meetings: "The ability to use the system in virtual meetings and to investigate the records alone meant we were able to comment and feedback on details and designs at the earliest juncture with the ability to view the structure at the same time remotely," said Nick Price.

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Increased Transparency:

• Real-Time Oversight: "The level of oversight achieved with Oculo is transformative," said Andre. "The team knows we are regularly viewing progress, which has driven good practice on-site."

• Client Trust: "This transparency builds significant trust with our clients," Andre added.

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Accelerated Decision-Making:

• Real-Time Data: Access to real-time project data and insights empowered Mulalley's teams to make informed decisions promptly. "Before Oculo, we relied heavily on photos, which often missed crucial details. Now, everything is captured accurately," said Andre.

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The Solution

In partnership with Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud, Mulalley implemented an innovative solution to enhance construction management. Oculo's visual project progress tracking and evidencing capabilities, powered by 360° hard hat cameras and artificial intelligence, enabled Mulalley to automate data capture, accurately document project milestones, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) Spotlight:

The Queensland Road site has been highlighted by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) as an example of good practice. CCS created a film at the site in June 2024, showcasing the benefits of Oculo in maintaining high standards of health and safety and project management. CCS has recognised Oculo as a best practice sharing system, further reinforcing its value.

See the full  video of the Queensland Rd project from CCS here: 

‍https://www.mulalley.co.uk/videos/MULALLEY-QueenslandRoad-v1.mp4

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Implementation

Mulalley adopted Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud across its projects, starting with a pilot and gradually rolling out the solution. Supported by dedicated training programs and expert guidance, Mulalley successfully deployed these tools, empowering its teams to work more efficiently and effectively. Dan Hoogeveen, Digital and BIM Leader at Mulalley, emphasised the need for consistent use of digital tools to achieve a 'single source of truth' across Mulally's projects. Dan's vision includes integrating Oculo's capabilities with Autodesk to streamline design and construction management further.

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Future Directions and Innovations

Mulalley continues to explore and implement new functionalities within Oculo, such as asset tagging and enhanced progress tracking. Encouraged by positive feedback, Mulalley is expanding the use of these digital tools in upcoming projects.

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Conclusion

Through this strategic partnership with Oculo and Autodesk Construction Cloud, Mulalley continues to evolve its construction management processes, achieving greater efficiency, compliance, and client satisfaction. By embracing innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Mulalley is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the construction industry, delivering exceptional results for clients and stakeholders across its diverse portfolio of projects.