SITE CHALLENGES
With most works undertaken during term-time, our activities were safely managed to safeguard pupils, staff and visitors. A considerate and unobtrusive approach underpinned by stringent risk management, careful programme sequencing and continuous collaboration with the school and the wider project team was critical to helping ensure the safety and wellbeing of all as well as minimal disruption to the learning environment.
The school has a vehicular and pedestrian route through its centre that links the various campus buildings together. Working near occupied buildings, we segregated each individual work site from the rest of the school, created temporary fire-access and alternative pedestrian routes – with site vehicles assigned specific access and egress routes. Site facilities, car parking and waste management areas were established in a dedicated compound to optimise use of space. Noise, dust and vibration minimisation techniques were implemented at each stage of the project to further help reduce the impact of works.
FOUNDATION/FRAME/ENVELOPE
The steel frame, 2-storey new build extension is fronted by a landscaped amphitheatre at the heart of the school campus, which leads to the entrance of the new building. The building uses a varied pallet of materials comprising natural stone, single-ply roofing with roof lights and areas of natural slate.
The building was designed with shallow pad foundations to avoid any unnecessary underpinning to adjacent structures.
SERVICES
The connection of new and existing services was designed and planned in a collective manner with the school to ensure any key operational activities could be undertaken with minimal disruption.
New services connections were made with the school’s existing services infrastructure. The new building has underfloor heating served by gas boilers and linked to a BMS system, alongside fan-assisted natural ventilation. We liaised closely with the school’s infrastructure management team and retained building services consultant to ensure any connecting or extended systems, such as data, security and fire alarms, were consistent with existing systems.
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL VALUE
To provide clean green energy and electricity generation PV panels were installed, helping to reduce the impact of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.