Case studies

What Did The Job Involve?

This was a design and build project secured under the ECF2 framework. The brief was to provide a four-classroom stand-alone teaching block with ancillary accommodation. The stipulation was that the building should be Net Zero in operation with a maximum annual space heating demand of 15kWh/m2.yr and a total energy consumption of no greater than 65kWh/m2.yr. This required the building to be designed with very low air permeability and u-values in particular. The plant specified included highly efficient electric air source heat pumps. The roof was covered in PV panels to provide the offsetting necessary to achieve net zero.

We chose a construction form of timber SIPs panels to the walls and roof deck. The roof was covered with tapered insulation and felt roof coverings. The external walls and soffits were enclosed with an air barrier with taped joints and highly effective sealant.

The project also included a power upgrade to the whole school, SUDs drainage scheme and connection to existing services. A fire tender access route was also provided.

What Were The Challenges?

The project was assessed under permitted development and had to be designed so that this was not compromised. This was achieved through siting of the building and reducing external paved areas.

To achieve the high performance requirements the siting and form of the building were carefully considered. Modelling had to take into account 2050 weather files and various scenarios were tested.

The project was constructed within a live school environment and care had to be taken not to disrupt school life. This was achieved through careful planning and daily liaison with the school.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Value engineering was undertaken during the initial design phase to meet the client’s budget.

Various activities were undertaken with school pupils and CCS principles adopted on the scheme.

What Did The Job Involve?

This project involved two phases of work. The new 3-storey teaching block, which was a steel frame construction on concrete piled foundations with ground beams, a precast concrete ground floor and upper floors. A mixture of brickwork and trespa cladding formed the envelope on SFS framing. Internally the building provided classrooms, dance studio, 6th form study area, meeting rooms, a large and associated stores and wc’s on each floor. Within the existing school general teaching spaces were turned into science rooms. This was completed over a summer holiday. The second phase involved the demolition of tow large concrete framed blocks and the remodelling of external areas with a mixture of hard and soft landscaping. The school was in occupation throughout except where the pandemic disrupted both school and construction.

What Were The Challenges?

One of the main challenges was the shared access. This had to be managed with the school by clear communication. The school is located within a residential area and the road leading to the school gates was particular tight. Manoeuvring piling rigs and large machinery proved a challenge but passed without incident. Also a Southern Water main sewer passed beneath the footprint of the building. At the time of commencement the formal agreement had not been concluded by the client and so this had to be maintained during the construction work and later diverted.

Beardwell’s Added Value

Ground breaking and topping out ceremonies were held on site involving the school. We also engineered and led a project to paint a school building using a select group of students. The project involved planning, procurement and production and served as an introduction to workflow planning. Regular liaison meetings were held with local residents. Ecology measures were introduced and donations of materials made within the school. Community wood recycling was also used where surplus timber was recycled within the community. We also assisted with the formation of a sanctuary garden comprising a small garden area.

What Did The Job Involve?

For many years the School had an ambition to construct much needed indoor sports facilities and this was finally realised when funding was obtained. Designed by Ingleton Wood, we were awarded the project following a traditional tender route and collaborative VE exercise.

Known as the Vink Centre, after a former long-standing Governor of the school, the new building comprises a sports hall and associated stores and changing facilities, PE office and dance studio/multipurpose area situated on the first floor. The project also included the construction of a small MUGA to compensate for external hard play being lost. New service upgrades were provided to the site.

The building was a steel frame with brick, render and thermawood cladding. An excellent relationship with the school was enjoyed throughout.

What Were The Challenges?

Located to the rear of the school, the school’s main entrance had to be maintained throughout the day. Deliveries were scheduled to avoid busy times, and sensitive works such as service connections were completed out of hours. Access to the school playing fields and car park had to be maintained throughout the project and this included drop and collection at each end of the school day.

The Sports Hall roof required the erection of curved steel beams which were spliced on site due to their length. Curved steel roof panels were formed on site. This required additional space being created within the compound for the rolling machinery.

Beardwell’s Added Value

In association with teaching staff, we completed a number of curriculum-related exercises looking at design and construction technologies.

We hosted a sixth-form student for a period of work experience and were so impressed with Phoebe, that we invited her to complete a paid project for us on another contract during her summer holiday.

Site visits by pupils were entertained throughout the project.

What Did The Job Involve?

This was a design and build secured on the Essex Construction Framework. Kingswode Hoe is a special school in Colchester. The brief was for the provision of a new teaching block incorporating new FT, Music and DT rooms and 2 no. general classrooms and the refurbishment of classrooms and a WC within the school. Design was managed by Beardwell and commenced at Stage 1. This included the completion of all surveys, building control approval, achievement of planning permission and scheduled monument consent.

The constraints of the site included avoiding undue disturbance to the ground, ensuring that external treatment was sympathetic to the existing buildings and avoiding encroachment onto the existing playing fields.

The 600 m2 building comprises a 40 T steel frame supported on traditional deep strip footings, with concrete ground and upper floor supported on a steel deck. The external walls are predominantly brick/block cavity walls. A platform lift provides disabled access to the first floor.

The project was delivered on time and budget.

What Were The Challenges?

Construction required working alongside archaeologists from CAT. This was managed smoothly with the ‘finds’ including roman coins being shown to the pupils.

The project was located on a tight occupied school in a residential area. Access to the site was only possible through the existing school carpark and so to avoid significant disruption we provided a temporary car parking area to the rear of site which was used by the School. The shared access had to be managed throughout the school day.

Being a live special school at both primary and secondary level there were a lot of inquisitive pupils. A secure boundary was formed and strict access arrangements applied.

The electrical power to site had to be upgraded without disrupting ongoing operations.

Beardwell’s Added Value

A temporary car park was provided to limit disruption. We also refurbished the Forest School shed without charge and organised site visits for pupils at various stages. This allowed the school to incorporate aspects of the project into the curriculum, including history and design technology.

The school had never had a ‘prom’ and following discussion, we raised in excess of £2,000 to help fund this event.

In addition, we volunteered staff to help at the summer fete where we facilitated various events including being soaked in the ‘stocks’.