The need for fast school builds must not compromise our children’s ability to learn
Osborne Framework Manager Tim Parker discusses how the urgency for new school buildings can inadvertently drive solutions too quickly towards fully modular or volumetric builds. An approach that potentially imports risks of durability, flexibility and most importantly the quality and effectiveness of the ultimate learning environment. Tim adds that many of us of a certain age will remember the poor conditions afforded by the extensive use of temporary terrapin school buildings!
Tim recognises that new school buildings are often needed urgently to meet growing demand and that building programmes can be compressed to restrict major onsite works to evenings and school holiday periods. Fast-track construction, and the need to avoid disrupting students learning, can unfortunately lead to compromises such as fully modular or volumetric offsite techniques.
Complete classrooms or building modules are assembled offsite and craned into position. These methods are fast and non-disruptive but don’t always deliver the best outcomes. Innovative building methods such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) an integral element if the InForm School solution offer the benefits of speed and lack of disruption, without having to compromise on design and performance. ‘A school in a day’ can be the reality.
Projects that use InForm and SIPs benefit because the structure is created in parallel to the site preparation and foundations. This can take weeks out of the programme. Assembling the structure onsite from a pre-manufactured kit of parts is extremely rapid and can be scheduled to take place at weekends or during holidays.
New build primary school Castle Hill shows what’s possible. A flexible offsite solution manufactured at our own factory. Providing a rapid delivery of an energy efficient, watertight structure that could be achieved much quicker than through using traditional methods. In addition, the large format of the SIPs reduced the number of joints, minimising heat loss through cold bridging and air infiltration. The SIPs were erected during cold weather periods in December, eliminating the frost risk associated with blockwork. Tim added that though using a modular method of construction, we successfully delivered a school building within the tight project timescales and with a 17% saving in cost.
Tim also notes that school projects are rarely identical. The location and site layout can bring constraints and the intended purpose for the classrooms can influence the exact design and specification. For example, music suites or facilities for hearing-impaired students will have specific requirements for acoustic performance. Unique requirements can add time and complexity to a school building project. InForm is SIPs based on the other hand and can be configured and engineered to meet almost any situation. Acoustic performance, for example, is designed into the panels so no additional treatments are needed on site. Offsite solutions are the most flexible way to fast-track school construction programmes while still achieving excellent outcomes and delivering bespoke designs, outcomes that both headteachers and architects can be proud off.
For more information on how Osborne can help create an InForm SIPs based flexible and effective learning environment, please visit our website, or contact Tim Parker [email protected]
