Prefab School Case Study
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Response to Coalition Governments 2011 school spending review
In future new school and college buildings 'should be based on a clear set of standardised drawings and specifications that will incorporate the latest thinking on educational requirements.' - Sebastion James, Group Operations Director of Dixons Retail, who led the government-commissioned review. Source/news link - http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/08/school-building-spending-review
Reepham College - a successfully trialled prototype
The recently completed, popular and multi award winning Reepham College scheme design, see photographs above and below, is in effect a successfully trialled prototype for the above approach
Awards.
2011 - Reepham Society Award ( Member of the Council for the Protection of Rural England)
2010 - Concrete Society Award (Certicate of Excellence)
2009 - Norfolk Association of Architects Award for Outstanding Carftsmanship
Key features -
- Precast concrete frame, wall panels, floors and roof - a very carefully considered and resolved modulor approach with various permutations.
- Naturally ventilated using CO2 controlled motorized opening lights – includes ICT, LRC and media suites
- Concrete mass used for natural cooling using night purge
- Exceptionally robust
- 31 day build duration for superstructure
- Low energy
- The project was the first in the UK to feature the use of Tarmac Precast sandwich wall panels supplied to site with integrated insulation.
- High quality - see Awards
- Affordable
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![ICT suite - natural cross/stack ventilation supplemented when required by Photo Voltaic powered 'windcatchers' ICT suite - natural cross/stack ventilation supplemented when required by Photo Voltaic powered 'windcatchers'](./control/uploads/images/1306871850-ict_pic.jpg)
![Reepham College - Learning and Resource Centre - 120 computers in naturally ventilated, naturally lit environment with automated temperature, C02 and automated Faber blind glare control Reepham College - Learning and Resource Centre - 120 computers in naturally ventilated, naturally lit environment with automated temperature, C02 and automated Faber blind glare control](./control/uploads/images/1306874181-lrc_pic2 (4).jpg)
![Reepham Sixth Form College - natural lighting and cross/stack ventilation to first floor corridor Reepham Sixth Form College - natural lighting and cross/stack ventilation to first floor corridor](./control/uploads/images/1306753122-P1000103a.jpg)
![Reepham Sixth Form College - Internal break out space - naturally ventillated with automated vents to achieve correct C02 and temp levels Reepham Sixth Form College - Internal break out space - naturally ventillated with automated vents to achieve correct C02 and temp levels](./control/uploads/images/1307043853-Picture4.png)
![Canopy controls glare with fritted glazing, and enables open view to be retained from reception/hospitality area, across playing fields to countryside beyond Canopy controls glare with fritted glazing, and enables open view to be retained from reception/hospitality area, across playing fields to countryside beyond](./control/uploads/images/1307632537-IMG_3846 (Medium).jpg)
![View across new playing fields to New Reepham Sixth Form College View across new playing fields to New Reepham Sixth Form College](./control/uploads/images/1307169315-P1000894A.jpg)
![Reepham Sixth Form College - detail of fritted shading canopy Reepham Sixth Form College - detail of fritted shading canopy](./control/uploads/images/1307632515-IMG_3844 (Medium).jpg)
The way forwards for headteachers , principals and governing bodies
The 'prefab school template' initiative is the government’s current way forwards for any substantial school build programme but in practice to progress matters at individual schools a good knowledge of the existing estate is required, not least to ensure that any works form part of a masterplan which identifies where cost effective refurbishment and remodeling works should be considered. This masterplan would ideally be included within a premises development plan document which would be developed and discussed with the schools representatives and which would demonstrate that a balanced assessment of options had been considered.
These documents can be produced within 2 months of commissioning and are a cost effective way of an individual school taking control of its own destiny.
As can be seen from the milestones links the two directors of Teather + Walls Architects have unusually varied experience in the education sector over the last decade including the following -
- acting as advisors to a high achieving school for in excess of 10 years – the most recent project being the prefab school template case study illustrated above
- providing bid management services on a number of successful bids for PFI/BSF schools projects
- acting as advisors on UK government schools legislation
- visiting, assessing and reviewing the development potential of in excess of 75 primary and secondary schools on a nationwide basis
- leading the production of 15 premises development plans
- acting as associate senior consultant to NPS on Schools Capital Design Team (SCDT) on framework agreement for the DfE Academies Commission Construction Programme
- acting as associate senior consultant to NPS on framework agreement for the DCSF on Surestart Children Centres
We believe that as a result of this Teather + Walls Architects are in an exceptionally good position to work with schools in developing robust and cost effective premises development plans, as a basis for seeking funding for the development of the schools existing estate, whether this be for a new prefab building, refurbishment or remodeling work, or a combination of these.
Extract from Principal’s introductory comments in the 2010 winter issue of the Reepham High School and College Review (School Magazine)
‘Every journey into the college remains a delight, something special, I can no longer imagine Reepham without its sixth form. The transition has been made and we will now go from strength Chris Hassell' Principal - Reepham High School and College
Reepham High School and College Project Focus