Fast track building project - quality and cost effective

SGB Rovacabin has designed and supplied a new, permanent science block at the Robert Clack School in Barking, Essex. The two-storey building has a total floor area of 1,250m2, distinguished by an unusual feature staircase giving an atrium effect right up to roof level. The building provides six new labs, three classrooms, a staff kitchen and restroom, and washrooms.

 

The award of Science Specialist College Status made replacement of the labs a priority. But budget constraints still existed, so the school looked for a cost effective alternative to traditional construction. The answer turned out to be permanent buildings, but in the form of prefabricated modular units manufactured off-site and erected and finished much more rapidly than any form of traditional building.

SGB Rovacabin contracts manager Tim Coles says: "Building regulations have moved on a lot in the last 30 years, and the standards for heat and noise insulation in particular are much higher than in the schools older buildings."

 

He adds: "We won the £1.2M contract here not so much because our modular buildings are significantly different to our competitors - and it's a very competitive market - but because we offered a complete turnkey service. That means we don't just design, manufacture, supply and erect the building, we do the groundworks, project management, service connections and fit-out as well."

 

One other special feature that was required was disabled access, especially to the upper floor. SGB's solution was an internal platform lift. And although Robert Clack has few problems with vandalism, a double skin of plasterboard in all internal circulation areas was specified, as much to attenuate sound transmission as to increase robustness and resistance to accidental damage and normal wear and tear.

 

Outside, a large freestanding canopy is capable of providing shelter for all the pupils in the block as they wait to enter. Mike Fox says the school is delighted with the finished building.