How Offsite Enables More Inclusive School Designs
Inclusion is a critical design consideration for any modern building. This is particularly true in the education sector where accessibility and broadening participation are so important.
Adopting modern methods of construction offers designers new opportunities to explore innovative layouts and solutions while having the confidence that designs can be reproduced faithfully. The flexibility of modern building systems also allows ambitious projects to be delivered quickly through programmes synchronised with the academic year.
At Belvue Secondary School in Ealing, Osborne successfully delivered a project that created 25 new places for students with moderate to severe learning difficulties. The project included building a new extension and remodelling existing areas of the school to improve the teaching environment.
The vision for inclusion was to create a school that felt more like home. One that would empower students with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) to participate fully in school life.
Easier Circulation and a Sense of Calm
The project has simplified movement through the school with a welcoming new reception area and breakout spaces for students, staff and visitors. The new heart of the school is an informal and fully accessible dining area. Throughout, the use of timber and colour provides warmth and a sense of calm.
The key to delivering this inclusive design without compromising the safety, learning or routine of the school community was off-site construction, backed by detailed planning and effective communication.
The programme was devised around access arrangements, pupil welfare needs and exam periods. A fully functioning school was maintained throughout with no change to fire escape routes, assembly points or pick up and drop off locations for the pupils.
In Tune With the Education Routine
The offsite methods selected allowed all deliveries to be timed to avoid exam times and peak times for pupil movements. The five-phase schedule allowed us to time major installations to take place during holidays and to ensure that the extension was opened as a priority before starting the refurbishment works.
The ability of offsite construction to deliver education projects sooner and to more consistent quality standards are well established. What is potentially even more significant is the opportunity to bring designers, engineers and construction specialists closer together to share ideas and develop more effective solutions. This is surely the ideal approach when it comes to creating more inclusive learning environments.
For more information about how Osborne applies MMC to education building programmes take look at our resource centre or contact Mike Peskin ([email protected])
