Sweet Projects is a UK-based construction management and delivery company that specialises in complex infrastructure projects across data, defence, and energy. Known for delivering high-quality builds on time and to budget, Sweet Projects brings a solutions-focused approach, ensuring safety and excellence from concept to completion.
The challenge
At the helm of one of Sweet Projects’ major builds—an advanced data centre project in Longcross—is Project Director Andrew Moss. Andrew is charged with delivering the project on time while meeting the highest standards of quality, and doing so safely.
Managing a fast-paced construction site of this scale comes with daily challenges, from coordinating teams across locations to keeping accurate records of progress and resolving questions quickly. Andrew needed a solution that would allow his team to stay on track and provide complete transparency across all phases of construction.
The solution
Andrew was introduced to OpenSpace by a colleague and immediately recognised its potential as a game-changing recording tool. Seeing that the 360° documentation process was so simple and the app was so easy to use, Andrew knew adoption would be straightforward. “Anyone can press a button, put a helmet on their head, and go for a walk. It works perfectly.”
OpenSpace makes it incredibly easy for Andrew and his team to capture the site. Starting with weekly walks, they quickly transitioned to daily, and sometimes even twice-daily captures. The result is a complete 360° visual timeline of the build, with images automatically pinned to the site floor plan and time-stamped for future reference.
Compared to manually snapping hundreds of photos, OpenSpace hands-free documentation saves hours and ensures nothing gets lost. “I have probably 5,000 photos on my phone which I should download and store somewhere, but I just don’t always have the time,” Andrew explains. “Same goes for my team—if they move on, those photos leave with them. With OpenSpace, we have peace of mind knowing that the images are in the system, and quick to find.”
"I have probably 5,000 photos on my phone which I should download and store somewhere, but I just don’t always have the time. Same goes for my team—if they move on, those photos leave with them. With OpenSpace, we have peace of mind knowing that the images are in the system, and quick to find.”
The results
Since implementing OpenSpace, Andrew and his team have seen a range of significant benefits across the project lifecycle—from improving quality control to streamlining communication and protecting against disputes.
Quality control and as-built verification
Whether confirming insulation in a wall or tracking each stage of roof construction, OpenSpace has become an essential tool for verifying quality on-site. “If someone asks if a wall has insulation in it, I can say, let’s go back in time and look,” says Andrew. “When we pull up the captures, we can see everything that’s been installed: the plywood, the insulation, the boards. That to me is superb.”
For roofing inspections, Andrew can clearly demonstrate that each layer—primer, vapor barrier, insulation—has been correctly installed. This visual proof not only reassures the client but also satisfies the requirements of roofing manufacturers, helping Sweet Projects secure warranties with confidence.
Speed and permanence of visual records
OpenSpace is faster than manual photography and the records are centralised and secure. “It’s a fantastic recording tool,” Andrew says. “It can’t be tampered with, which makes things easier if there’s a contractual argument or challenges with the supply chain. We have clear evidence.”
Enhanced client communication
OpenSpace has become a valuable part of client presentations. “We did a presentation to a client’s team and could first show them the 3D model and then the OpenSpace picture alongside it. They looked very much identical, which was fantastic to see. The records are excellent.”
Improved scheduling and safety
Andrew’s team uses OpenSpace to monitor site progress in real time, understanding exactly what’s been completed, when, and how. This clarity supports more efficient scheduling and ensures high safety standards are maintained throughout the site.
Dispute avoidance and contractual protection
By providing a visual, tamper-proof record of construction, OpenSpace has helped the team avoid and resolve disputes quickly. Andrew remembers a specific case where his 360 captures helped him dismiss a claim. “If I didn’t have OpenSpace, it would have been them against us. Instead, I was able to unequivocally defend my position.”
Remote collaboration
With team members and stakeholders often located in different countries, OpenSpace plays a key role in coordination. Virtual walk-throughs allow everyone to stay on the same page, no matter where they are.
“OpenSpace can’t be tampered with, which makes things easier if there’s a contractual argument or challenges with the supply chain. We have clear evidence.”
Driving change across the business
Thanks to its simplicity, speed, and transparency, OpenSpace has become an indispensable tool for Andrew and his team at Longcross. “It works perfectly,” he reiterates. Inspired by the success on this project, Andrew is now actively promoting OpenSpace across Sweet Projects, and adoption is already growing on other sites.
