Post on 05-May-2018
4 Foreword and why Atkins?
9 Challenges of maintaining the education estate:
10 Minimisingdisruption17 Managinghiddenrisks19 Carbonmanagement27 MakingthemostofICT
33 Refurbishment and remodelling
47 Reuse and conversion
53 Refresh and repair
59 Our people
Nomatterhowlargeorsmallyourproject,theAtkinsnationalteamoflocalexpertsisheretohelp.WithourpeopleandbreadthofskillsandexperiencebasedinofficesaroundtheUK,weofferanunparalleledrangeofconsultantswhoarededicatedtocreatingthebestlearningandteachingenvironments.Ourexpertisecoverseveryaspectofbuildingrefurbishment–frommasterplanningdecantstrategieswhichhelpminimisecostlytemporaryaccommodationtoboilerandwindowreplacementsorasimpledécorrefresh.Weofferournationalexpertsaspartofalocalpersonalisedservicetoallofourclients.
Weunderstandtherangeofpressuresfacingourclientstoday;whetheritiscreatingmodernfacilitiesonasmallbudget,meetingtargetsaroundincreasingschoolcapacity,aneedtoimproveaccess,reducingcarbonemissionsorimprovingICTfacilities,tonamejustafew.
Thisdrivesourdesiretomakesureaschoolrenewalprojectrunsassmoothlyaspossible,minimisingdisruptiontotheoperationoftheschoolandallowingteachingstaffto‘getonwiththeirdayjob’.
Wehavesubstantialexperienceofschoolestatesrenewalandthisbookletaimstogiveaflavourforthecreativewaysthatwehaveaddressedeachproject.Weattempttoidentifytherecurrentandcommonthemesinthisenvironmentandgivesomeexamplesofhowwehaveovercomesignificantchallengestosavemoney,minimisedisruption,andcreatesafe,welcoming,21stcenturylearningenvironments.
Hopefullythisdocumentwillgiveyouatasteofourapproachandperhapsstimulateideasforyourschoolprojects.
FORewORd By PhiliP wAtsOn, design diReCtOR
Philip watson, design director
tel: 0113 306 6490
philip.watson@atkinsglobal.com
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Atkinsisalarge,multi-disciplinarydesignconsultancywithofficesthroughouttheUKandabroad.Itwouldbeeasytothinkthatthismightcreateafacelesscorporateentity;butthiscouldn’tbefurtherfromthetruth.Wearepassionateaboutwhatwedoandcommittedtohelpingourclientsachievetheirambitions.Thisisdoublyresonantinthesphereofeducationdesignandconsultancy.Ourstaffhaveexperiencenotonlyasdesignersandasspecialistintheirchosenfields;theyarealsoex-students,parents,schoolgovernorsandtutors–andeachhasabeliefinthepowerofeducationtopositivelyshapelives.
Weareabletoprovideallofthetechnicalandadvisorysupportrequired,regardlessofthenatureandscaleofproject,fromourdiverseteamsofmulti-disciplinaryresources.Projectsaremanagedandbasedoutofournetworkoflocalregionaloffices,drawingontheskillsofthewiderAtkinsGroupasnecessary.
Ourteamstakeaholisticviewofexistingfacilitiesandbuildingarrangementswhenconsideringtheneedforexpansionand/oradaptation;therebyensuringthatthe‘best’solutionisnotoverlookedinfavouroftheobvioussolution.
Inordertoidentifythe‘best’solution,weworkwithourclientstoidentifyvalueprioritiesandtoselectoptionsthataddthegreatestvaluewithintheavailablebudget.
Ourwealthofexperienceintheeducationsectorincludes:
• Masterplanning;
• Technicaladvisoryservices;
• Buildingsurveysandcondition/sustainabilityassessments;
• Feasibilitystudies;
• Strategicassetmanagement;
• Designofnewandmodified(extended/adapted)facilities;
• Designoflarge-scalerefurbishmentandsmall-scale‘light-touch’decorativeschemes;
• Carbon/energyuseassessmentsandadvice;
• Fundingapplicationadvice;
• ICTadvisoryservices;
• Valuemanagement;
• Adaptationof‘systembuild’buildings.
Insummary,throughourskills,experienceandunderstandingoftheschoolestateandhowitcanbeadaptedandupdated,wearewell-placedtohelpyouwithyourneeds.
ReFResh, ReFuRBish, RemOdel, Reusewhy Atkins?
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Challenges of maintaining the education estate >
Therearemanychallengesassociatedwiththerefurbishmentofexistingbuildingsgenerally.Theseareamplifiedwhenanexistingfacilityhastocontinuetofunctionwhilstworkiscarriedout.Ourexpertiseinthisfieldmeanswecandevelopeffectivestrategiestomakeyourbudgetgofurtherandtominimisedisruption.
Inthissectionwedemonstratehowwehelpourclientsovercomethesechallenges,includinghowweminimisedisruptionanddealwithunforeseenhazards;managecarbonandensurevalueformoney.
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Whethertherefurbishmentis‘lighttouch’redecoration,repairoffailingelements,oramoresignificantremodellingofexistingspacesandstructurallayouts;oneofthemajorissuesthathastobeaddressedishowtheworkcanbeundertakencost-effectivelywiththeleastdisruptiontoexistingschoolactivities.
Moneyspentontemporaryaccommodationisusuallymoneythatcouldotherwisehavegoneintodirectbuildingimprovementsorintotheschool’sfrontlinedeliveryofeducation.
Althoughitisnotalwayspossibletoavoidtemporaryaccommodation,aconsideredapproachtotheoverallprojectprogrammewillprovidesolutionstominimisebothdisruptionandcost,andmaximisesafety.
Weuseourexpertisetoworkalongsideschoolsandbuildingcontractorstoensurethebestsolutionisadoptedforseamlesseducationdeliverythroughouttheworks.
Wealwaysensurethatsufficientclassroomspaceisavailablewhilstworksareongoinginotherareasoftheschool.
Wheredisruptiontoteachingspacesisnecessary,andtemporaryaccommodationcanbeavoided,weseektoprogrammethisaroundschoolholidaystoavoidschoolclosureandminimiseinterruptionoftheschoolsactivities.
Moreoftenthannot,wefindthatthereisusuallyapracticalsolutiononcethechallengeisfullyunderstoodandalittlecreativityhasbeenapplied.
minimising disRuPtiOn
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‘Refurbishmentcanoftenbeseenasthepoorrelationtonewbuild,butwithcarewecancreateinspiringandwelcomingsocialspacesforlearnersandthelocalcommunityalike.’
James harrison Architect
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ThedesignconceptatGreenacrehasbeendrivenbythestronglearningmethodologypractisedbythisSLD(SevereLearningDifficulties)andPMLD(ProfoundandMultipleLearningDifficulties)Schoolandthecomplexityofthesiteonwhichitislocated.
Theobjectiveofthedesignistocreatealearningenvironmentwhichgivesitsuserstheopportunitytoexploretheirskillsandtalentsandallowsforeachpupiltoreachtheirfullpotential.
Thebuildingneededtoincorporateaflexibilitythatcanrespondtochangesinthedeliveryofthecurriculum,andtheincreasingrateofchangeininformationtechnology.
Theschemeconsistsofacrescentoflearningpavilions,makingthemostoftheviewsandallowingforthecreationofprotectedwedgeshapedexternallearningspacesbetweenthem.
Thepartnerandtherapyspaces,whichincludethehydrotherapypool,arereadilyaccessiblefromallareasoftheschoolandforusebythewidercommunity.
Thecurvedcirculationrouteactsasasensorywallandanavigationaltoolthroughoutthebuildingusingtextures,signageanddisplaystogiveeachpartoftheschoolitsownidentity.
Aspartofourdesignapproach,weworkedwiththecontractortocreateaprogrammeofworksforGreenacreSENschoolwhichensuredclassesweremethodicallydecantedintonewclassroomsasoldonesweredemolished,savingthelocalcouncilover£1millionintemporaryaccommodationcosts.Thisminimiseddisruptionforstaffandmostimportantlyforthechildrenwhofindchangetotheirroutineupsetting.
greenacre sen school Barnsley,UK
Client BarnsleyMetropolitanBoroughCouncil
Value Undisclosed
status On-site
date Completionduein2011
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Red line indicates footprint of existing school, which had to remain fully operational during construction. initial plans demanded over £1m for temporary accommodation. Atkins’ design avoided this need, enabling funds to be directed where they would add value educationally.
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Client CityofEdinburghCouncil
ValueUndisclosed
status Complete
date 2007
Arecurringchallengefordesignersis:howtocreateadditionalteachingspaceonaverycrampedsitewhilstkeepingaschoolfunctioningnormally?
AtPentland,ourengineerscameupwithanovelsolutionthatsawthecreationofanewteachingwingbyliterallythinking‘outsidethebox’.Insteadofdemolishingtheexistingaccommodation,thesolutionwastobuildanewstructurewhichspannedoverthetopoftheexistingbuilding.Thismeantthatthefootprintofthebuildingwasnotincreased,thuspreservingpreciousplayspace;anditenabledtheschooltoremaininoperationduringconstruction.
Timeon-sitewasalsogreatlyreducedbyusingthistechnique.Allinall,thismadethebuildprocessmuchlessdisruptivetotheschoolandgreatlyenhancedthequalityoftheenvironmentforpupilsandstaff.
Thenewschoolconsistsofatwo-storeyclassroomwingalongtheeast-westaxiswithsharedteachingaccommodationincorporatedintotheblock.Thelinearsinglebankedclassroomplanprovidesalightandairycirculationspaceopeningouttostructuredplayareas.
Thediningroom,kitchen,administration,officeandstaffaccommodationresideswithinasinglestoreyblockextendingtothenorthwhilstthedoubleheightgymnasiumandstagepunchesthoughthesingle-storeyroofandengageswiththeclerestory.
Pentland school Edinburgh,UK
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Client EastRidingofYorkshireCouncil
Value£377k
status Complete
date 2008
AtkinswascommissionedtoprovidedesignconsultancyservicesforthenewChildren’sCentrebuildingatBroughPrimarySchool.
Anewbuildingwasneededtomeetthegrowingneedsoftheschool,andtheoveralldesignphilosophywastocreateafacilitythatisinclusiveanduserfriendly.
Tominimisedisruptiontotheschoolcanteen,weusedanoff-sitebuildingsystembasedonstructuralinsulatedpanelstoprovidethecompletestructuralenvelopeoftheextension.Thisalsoaddressedtheproblemoflimitedsitespaceandaccess.Openingswereincorporatedintowallpanelsduringmanufacture,thereforetheydidnotrequirefurtherstructuraltreatmenton-site.
Prefabricatedpanelsenableafasttrackbuildingprocess,whichhelpstosignificantlyreduceconstructiontimeandon-sitewaste.Thepanelsarejoinedtogetherusingauniquesealedjoiningsystemthatminimisestheamountofairthatcanpassthroughthejoints,makingthebuildingveryairtightandenergyefficient.Tominimisetheuseofmechanicalventilation,anaturalcrossventilationsystemisusedtoprovideinternalspaceswithfreshairfromoutside.
Brough Primary school Brough,UK
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Oneofthebiggestchallengeswithrefurbishmentprojects,isnotknowingwhatyouaregoingtofind.Thisistheriskassociatedwithhiddenconstructiondetailsoftheexistingbuilding,externalworksandservices.Ifdiscoveredon-siteduringconstruction,thesehiddenorunknownelementscanhavesignificantprogrammeandcostimplications.
Inourexperience,arigoroussetofplannedsurveyswillhelpuncoverissuessuchasasbestos,dampandstructuralproblems,whichcanbeplannedforwithinthedesign.Thisavoidscostlydelaysordesignchangestotheprojectlateron.
Oursurveysareusuallyphasedtoavoidunnecessarydisruptionandcontractorcosts.
Aninitialvisualsurveyisundertakentodetermineinformationreadilyavailableandhighlightareaswherefurtherinvestigationmightberequired.Wethendesigntargetedintrusivesurveystoinvestigatehiddendetailswhichneedtobeexposedtobefullyunderstood.
Webelievethatthisphasedapproachisthemostefficient.Itavoidsthecostofacontractorbeinginattendanceduringthevisualsurveyandgivesadequatetimeforthevisualsurveyresultstobefullyconsideredinthecontextoftheproposeddevelopmentbeforeadecisionismadetomovetoanintrusivesurvey.
Thesurveyswhichusuallycreatechallengesare:
• Geo/environmentalsiteinvestigation;
• Asbestossurveys;
• Timberanddampsurveys;
• Structuralsurveys;
• Mechanicalsurveys;
• Electricalsurveys.
Simplyput,themoreweknowinadvance,thelesslikelytheprojectwillbesubjecttocostincreaseandtimedelayslateron.
mAnAging hidden Risks
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Carbon management >
Ourexpertsincarbonmanagementcanprovideourclientswithstrategicadvicetohelpachievelongtermreductionincostsandcarbonemissionsandaccessfundingstreams,aswellashelpschoolsimplementanenergyefficiencyprogramme.
Wecanprovideadviceonadministrativecompliance,suchasregistration,reporting,buyingorsurrenderingallowances;energymanagementsuchasmeteringstrategy;andCarbonReductionCommitmentstrategy,suchasbenchmarksandtriggerpoints.
19
WecurrentlyworkwithSalix,anindependentsocialenterpriseandnotforprofitcompanylimitedbyguarantee,providingfundingforUKpublicsectorbodiestoinstallproventechnologieswhicharecosteffectiveinsavingCO2andenableanyfurtherenergysavingtechnologiestoworkattheirbest.
Salixprojectsincludeinsulation,lightingandheatingupgrades,ITimprovements,swimmingpoolcovers,voltagereductionandbetterboilers.
ThroughamixtureofloansandgrantsSalixhasengagedwitharound640publicsectorbodiesandtodatehasfundedover4,000projects.Wehavealsoimplementedaprogrammeofworksforenergycompanynpower,todeliverasignificantreductioninenergyuseinover300primaryandsecondaryschoolsintheUK.
Aspartofnpower’senergyefficiencyprogrammeinUKschools,weundertooktheprovisionoftechnicalenergysurveystohelpschoolsunderstandhowtheyuseenergyandprovidedsubsequentopportunitiestoimproveenergyefficiency,whilstconsideringhowrenewabletechnologiesmaybeintroducedattheirsite.
Throughourdetailedenergysurveysandcomprehensivereports,wehelpschoolsidentifyhowimprovementscouldbemadetoaspectswhichaffectenergyusesuchasbuildingfabric,lighting,power,meteringcontrolsandenvironmentalconditions.
Weareabletoreviewthepotentialuseofrenewabletechnologiesateachsite,includingwindpower,solarphotovoltaics,solarthermal,combinedheatandpower,heatpumpsorbiomassboilers.
Weprovideclientswithaprioritisedlistofrecommendationsindicatingpotentialsavingsin£,CO2andkWh’s,costtoimplementandpaybacktohelpthemmakeinformedchoicesabouthowtoprogress.
eneRgy sAVing AdViCe
Salix Finance Energy Efficient ICT Workshop –
Nottingham Trent University
23rd September 2010
Our mission is to work with the public sector to reduce carbon emissions through investment in energy efficiency and
renewable technologies.
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‘AstheTechnicalManagementServicescontractorforSalixsince2008,weprovidetechnicaladvice,duediligence,administrationandotherschemesupportnationallyonacall-offbasis.Thisplacesusinauniquepositiontoprovidedetailed,triedandtrustedadviceaboutenergysavingtechnologiestoourclients.’
ellie horwitch-smith Carbon management Consultant
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WehavedevelopedatoolcalledCOREMthatestimatesCO2savedasaresultofundertakingplannedessentialmaintenanceprojectstoexistingbuildings.Theideabeingthatwhereprojectsarecarriedoutthataredrivenbyessentialmaintenance,thereisveryoftenacarbonsavingachievedthroughtheinstallationofnewermoreefficientequipment,butthisisoftennotrecordedasitisregardedasmaintenanceratherthan‘carboninitiatives’.
Thereisaneedforauthoritiestorecordanddemonstratetheircarbonsavingsandthankstoourwork,EssexCountyCouncilwereabletodemonstrate22tonnesofCO2savingsontheiressentialmaintenanceprogrammefor2008/9,andover100tonnesin2009/10.
ThistoolcanbeusedasapowerfuldemonstrationofaLocalEducationAuthority’sCarbonReductionCommitmenttoallitsbuiltenvironmentactivities.
CARBOn sAVings And CAlCulAtiOns
holmes Chapel library
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Atkins’ unique set OF CARBOn tOOls
We’vebeendevelopingacomprehensivesuiteofcarbontoolstohelporganisationsreducecarbonandtohelpourstaffunderstandwherecarboncanbe‘designed-out’.
mAsteRPlAnning
Identifies,quantifiesandvisualisesthecarbonimpactsofdevelopmentmasterplans.
Atkins RemOte teChnOlOgy
RemotelymonitorsandcontrolsplantequipmentandFMsystemstomanageabuildingportfolio’senergyuse.
ROAdmAP
Usesmind-mappingtechniquestoplanbusinessactivitiesinrelationtocarbonconsequences.
knOwledge BAse
Calculates,analysesandassesseslow-carbonoptionsusingalibraryofverifiedcarbondata.
tRAFFiC AnAlysis
Translatesexistingtrafficdataintoestimatesofcarbonemissionswithinamonitoredarea.
RelAtiVity
Createschartstoshowthelinkbetweencarbondeterminantsandthecarbontheyproduce(orsave),andcomparesscenarios.
tRAVel BehAViOuRs
Estimatescarbonforajourneystoaspecificlocation,andproducesjourneyplanstoencourageuseoflow-carbontransport.
Buildings
Useskeybuildingfactors,servicesandoccupancyparameterstoestimateabuilding’soperationalcarbonfootprint.
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Aspartofourcommitmenttolowcarbondesign,wecontinuouslylookforwaystodemonstratewhatcanbeachievedthroughacarefullyconsidereddesignstrategywhichencompassesallaspectsoffeasiblepassiveandrenewablesustainablesolutions.OnesuchprojectisDeneSchool.
AspartofaresearchprojecttocreateazerocarbonschoolfortheBSFDurhamproject,ourteamofexpertscarefullyanalysedtheexistingbuildingstockatDeneSchool.Itisproposedthattheexistingwestfacingblockisretained,thestructureofwhichcontainsabout30%oftheembodiedenergyofthebuilding.
However,theexistingenvelopecreatesseriousenvironmentalperformanceissueswherethebuildingistoohotinsummerandtoocoldinwinter.
Asolutionhasthereforebeenproposedthatthisisrecladwithagoodquality,welldesignedenvelopetomatchtheproposednewbuildelementsoftheschool.
dene school Durham,UK
Client DurhamCountyCouncil
status Research&Development
date 2010
CARBOn sAVin
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2016Low Carbon Design
9.1
-11.2
2002National Benchmark
44.6
2006Current Design
34.3
2016Low Carbon Design
7.79
-11.2
2002National Benchmark
35.1
2006Current Design
24.8
Regulated Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Unregulated Carbon Dioxide Emissions
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Right:Comparison of carbon emissions of the national benchmark, current design and the proposed low carbon design.
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making the most of iCt >
21stcenturyschoolsareheavilyreliantonaneverdevelopingtechnology.SchoolsoftenneedhelpindevelopingtheirICTstrategy.WebelievethatoureducationICTconsultancyisonepartofawiderchangeprogrammeinvolvedintherefurbishmentofeducationalinstitutions.
WecanadviseindividualschoolsorlocalauthoritiesonthebestuseoftheircapitalbudgettomaximisetheICTeducationalimpact.
WearenotcommerciallylinkedtoanyICTservice,systemorinfrastructureprovidersoouradviceisimpartialandtailoredtosuittheneedsofeachclient.
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WeunderstandthatanICTstrategymustsupporttheeducationalvisionandbeflexibleenoughtoadoptnewtechnologieswhichwillemergeinfutureyears.
Awell-plannedandeffectiveICTprovisionwillhelpimprovethequalityoflearningandteaching,byprovidinganinclusiveandinnovativelearningenvironmentwhichrespondstotheneedsofschoolpupils,teachersandcommunityusersalike.ICTcanunderpineachschool’sstrategyforpersonalisedlearning,andwecombineourknowledge
oftheeducationalagendawithproventechnologyandbestpracticeprocurementmethodologies.
Thisensuresthatourproposedsolutionsaregoodvalue,workproperlyandmeettherealeducationalneedsoflearnersandteachers.
OurindependenceinthisspheremeansthatwedonothaveanyhiddenagendawhenadvisingonICTsystems,hardwareorsoftware.
west thurrock Primary schooleduCAtiOnAl iCt COnsultAnCy
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‘ThenewICTsuiteatHipperholme&LightcliffeSecondarySchoolinHalifaxisastunningexampleofincorporatingICTintotheheartofthecurriculum.’
Rajinder sanghera iCt Consultant
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Refurbishment and remodelling > Refurbishmentisoftenamoresustainablesolutioncomparedtonewbuild,becauseitavoidsthereleaseofembodiedcarbonandcreationofwaste.Essentiallyitisaformofrecycling.
Towhatdegreerefurbishmentorremodellingisrequiredwillneedtobeconsideredonacasebycasebasis.Clearlyabalanceneedstobedrawnbetweenretainingembodiedenergyandminimisingwasteagainstensuringthatthebuildingisfitforpurposeandperformsefficientlyoperationally.Schoolbuildingtypescanbegenerallygroupedinto:
• Victorian• Postwarandinterwar• Systembuild• Listedandheritage.
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ViCtORiAn Buildings
Victoriansexperimentedwithnewformsofconstructionandnewmaterialswhichwereoftenpoorlyunderstoodand,attimes,entirelyinappropriate.Asaconsequence,problemssuchasstresscracksarecommonaswellasvulnerabilitytodifferentialmovementbetweentheframeandthecladding,settlement,vibration,andfreeze/thawmoistureexpansion.
Whilstthecombinationofquirkyarchitectureandoftenstrikingformmeansthatsuchbuildingsareoftenwelllovedbyitsusersandthelocalcommunity,problemswithleakypipes,inflexiblelayoutanddeterioratingstructurecalltimeforanupgrade.ThereareusuallyseveralpositiveaspectsofVictorianbuildingswhichcanhelpintheirtransformation:highceilingswhichcansometimesaccommodatemezzaninefloorsandlargewindowswhichletinanabundanceofnaturallightandofferpotentialfornaturalventilation.
OurprojectforPlymouthHighSchoolforGirlsisagreatexampleofhowwetookanawkwardspacewithinaconstrainedsiteandturneditintoawelllovedandvaluablelearningenvironment.
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Thisprojectsuccessfullyrejuvenatedandtransformedanunderused,wornoutfacilityintomajorasset.
Onarestrictedandconstrainedinnercitysite,PlymouthHighSchoolforGirlsoccupiesthesiteoftwoformerVictorianeducationestablishments,whichwereamalgamatedandhavebeenextendedovermanydecadesbutinflexibleinlayout.Asaconsequence,theschoolhadtwohallsofsimilarsize,oneofwhichwasusedforavarietyofusesincludingagym,corridorandexaminationroom.Thisneglected,impracticalspacehadthepotentialtobeconvertedintoadecentsizedlibraryandresourcecentrewhichtheschoolsodesperatelyneeded.
AsaGradeIIlistedbuilding,suchchangesneededcarefulconsideration.Theexistingfloorwasnotstrongenoughtotakeonlibraryloadingswithoutstrengthening,buttherewasenoughheighttocreateamezzanine.Thewallsweretestedandfoundstrongenoughtosupportanewstructure,butthechallengewastodevelopastructurethatcouldbeinstalledwithextremelylimitedaccess.
Asteelstructurewasthesolution,whichwasbroughtinthroughanexistingwindowopeningandassembledinthehall.Thedesignphilosophywastocreateacleardifferentialbetweenthenewandtheoldandthenewsteelstructurecreatesan‘industrialchic’tothespace.Integrallightingwasusedandtheshelvingshapedtocreateanopennessandlightnesstothemezzanine.
Thecoloursandmaterialswerecarefullychosentoprovideastimulatingandvibrantspace,witheasilymoveablefurnituresothespacecanbearrangedformallyandinformallyforseminars,presentations,examsorgroups.FullITfacilitiesandlightingwhichcanbecontrolledtosuitactivitiescompletesthisvibrantandadaptableheartoftheschool.
Thisprojecttookaforgottencornerandcreatedplaceoflastingvalueandmostimportantly,iswelllikedandasuccesswiththestudentsandstaff.
Plymouth high school for girls Plymouth,UK
Client PlymouthCityCouncil
Value £1.5m
status Complete
date 2009
CAse study
ViCtORiAn Building
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‘ProjectssuchasPlymouthHighSchoolforGirls,wherethepracticalitiesof21stcenturylearningandteachingmustworkwithinthelimitsofahistoricbuilding,areperfectopportunitiesforustoapplyourtechnicalexpertise.Innovativesolutionsarecalledforandourteamsareadeptatexploringalternativeapproaches,enablinggoalstobeachievedassensitivelyandefficientlyaspossible.’
matt quick Building surveyor
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POst wAR & inteR wAR
BetweentheFirstandSecondWorldWarsandimmediatelyafterwards,schoolarchitecturewasdominatedbytheinternationalmodernstyle.Thismanifestedasconcreteframedbuildingswithflatroofs,normallynomorethanthreestoreystall.
Theresidualproblemspresentedbythisbuildingstockareassociatedwithpoorthermalperformance,badacoustics,leakywindowsandroofs,summertimeoverheatingandthepresenceofasbestos,tonameafew.
Before
new student social space
After
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Hipperholme&LightcliffeSecondarySchoolandSixthFormCentrehadapressingneedforextrateachingspace,improvedcirculationand,mostimportantly,abetterself-image.Byengagingwiththeschoolandapplyingimaginativesolutionswehaveprovidedaninspiringdesignthathasredefinedtheschool’simage.
Withinthescopeofthedevelopmentisanew‘hightech’resourcecentre,atwo-storeydesignandtechnologyblock,additionalchangingroomsforincreasedcapacity,improvedsixthformfacilitiesandclassroomsandanewadministrationblockwithentranceatrium.
Themaindesignfeatureoftherevitalisedschoolisanewcurvingwallfaçadewhichencompassesbothnewandexistingbuildings.Thisdeliversthefacilitiestheschoolrequires,createsapositivelearningenvironmentandsendsoutapositivemessagetothecommunity.
Afeature‘lipsculpturedesk’wasthewinningentryinastudentdesigncompetitionwhichgeneratedconsiderableinterestwithintheschool.The‘lipdesk’isnowresidentinthefoyerasyouentertheschool.
Parkingandbusrouteswerealsorevisedtoprovidebetteruseoftheexternalspace,creatingadditionalfacilitiesandallowinglandscapedesignfeaturestobeincorporatedintotheschoolentrance.
hipperholme & lightcliffe secondary school & sixth Form College Halifax,UK
Client CalderdaleCouncil
Value£3.3m
status Complete
date 2007
Left:the existing buildings were linked with this new curving, steel and glass clad structure which solved internal circulation issues and gave the school a new image to its community.
CAse study
POst wAR & inteR w
AR
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Duringthe1960sand1970safasttrackconstructionsolutionwasoftenusedtoprovideschoolsinresponsetotheBabyBoomandlackofskillsaftertheSecondWorldWar.
Thesesystembuildsolutions,sometimescalledCLASPorSEAC,wereneverintendedtobealongtermsolution,howevermanyauthoritieshavehadtodotheirbesttocontinuetomaintainsuchbuildingstock,duetolackoffunding.
Synonymouswithleakyroofs,structuralproblemsandasbestosissues,manybelievetheonlycosteffectivesolutionistodemolishthisbuildingtypeandreplacewithanewfacility.
Refurbishingasystembuildschoolmayseeminsurmountable,butourexperienceandknowledgeofthesebuildingsshowsthatitispossibletocreateanappropriate,brightandmodernlearningenvironment.Forexample,mostsystemstendedtobebuiltusingasteelframe,givingopportunitiesforinternalremodelling.
system Build
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GreenbankisaSpecialSchoolwithresidentialprovisionandcatersforupto96pupilsintheagerange6-18.
Atkinswerecommissionedtodeliveranewbuildextensionwithinternaladaptationstotheexistingschool,forchildrenwithAutisticSpectrumdisorder.
Atkinsmulti-disciplinaryteamprovidedArchitecture,StructuralEngineering,BuildingServices,LandscapeDesignandProjectManagement.
Thenewextensionconsistedofathreeclassroomextensionandmajorinternaladaptationsoftheexistingtwostoreyschool.
Thebuildingwasdesignedwith‘sustainability’highontheagendaforthetightbudgetavailable.Atimberframedconstructionwasselectedwithmaterialschosenthatcouldberecycled.
Highlevelsofinsulationwereincorporatedandenergysavingfittingsinstalledtoachieveverylowrunningcosts.
AtkinsworkedcloselywithallstakeholdersandparticularlywiththestaffatGreenbankSchooltoestablishabriefandtodeliverwhatisnowasuccessfulASDdepartment.
Theprojectwascompletedonprogrammeandonbudget.
greenbank Residential special schoolHartford,Cheshire,UK
Client CheshireCountyCouncil
Value£650k
status Complete
date 2006
CAse study
system Build
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Bytheirveryexistence,eachlistedandheritagebuildinghasuniquerequirementswhenundergoingrenewal.WeundertakeconsultationwithconservationsocietiessuchasEnglishHeritage,toensurethatanychangeswillnotaffectitsspecialcharacteristics.
Byestablishingfrequentopenandhonestcommunicationbetweenallparties,weensurewefullyunderstandtheheritageissues,andthatourdesignresponseissympathetictothebuilding’sspecialaspects.Weworkwiththeconservationofficer,usersandlocalcommunitytohelpthemunderstandtheaimoftheprojectandreachacollectivelyagreed,suitablesolution.Thishelpsensurethateveryoneisworkingtowardsthesamegoals,withanyconcernsorissuesbeingaddressedontheway.
Ouraimistorenewthesecherishedbuildingsothattheyremainusefulandrelevantto21stcenturylearning.
listed And heRitAge Buildings
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ThisprojectchallengedAtkinstosympatheticallyrefurbishandblendolderlistedbuildingswithbrandnewfacilitiesontheRichmondSchoolcampus,whichcontainsadiverserangeofbuildingsreflectingarchitecturetrendsofthelast70years.TheschoolissituatedonalargesitewithbeautifulviewsacrosstheValeofYorknearRichmondinNorthYorkshire.
AtkinswascommissionedtoundertakeanextensivemasterplanningandremodellingexerciseoftheexistingRichmondschoolcampustocombinetwodisparatesitestocreateaunified,cohesiveschoolforpupilsfromyears7-13.Weareprovidingfullmulti-disciplinarydesignservices(architecture,landscapearchitecture,mechanicalandelectricalengineeringandstructuralengineering);BREEAMassessor;environmentconsultancy;acoustics;ecology;quantitysurveyingandemployers’representative.
Significantelementsoftheexistingbuildingson-sitehavebeenretained,includinga1940sGradeIIlistedbuilding,tobeusedasthenewSixthFormCentrefor300students.Asthisbuildingsitsindependentlywithintheschoolcampus,thishelpscreateaseparate
identityforthesixthformandenhancesitsstatusinspecialistCreativeArts.
Theprojectalsoincludessubstantialnewbuildaccommodationincludingfullyequippedartrooms,sciencelabs,musicrooms,kitchenanddiningfacilitiesanda2,140sqmsixcourtsportshallwithseparatefitnesssuiteandactivityhallprovidesstateoftheartfacilitiesforpupilsand,throughRichmondshireLeisureTrust,communityusealike.
ThedesignteamcloselycoordinatedwithEnglishHeritagetoensuredesigndecisionsmetwiththerigorousrequirementsofbuildinglisting.Forexample,thewindowpatternonthenewbuildingwasselectedtoavoiddistractingfromtheadjacentlisted1940srectilinearblock.Thiswaskeytosecuringplanningapprovalforthisdevelopment.
Thenewdesignopensuppossibilitiesfortheschooltodeliveramoreflexiblecurriculum,offermorefacilitiestothewidercommunity,providehighqualityworkingenvironmentsforstaffandprovidestateoftheartlearningspacesforpupils.
Richmond schoolRichmond,UK
Client NorthYorkshireCountyCouncil
ValueUndisclosed
status On-site
date Completionduesummer2012
Left:Our solution to update this building at Richmond school, north yorkshire needed to be sensitive to the existing grade ii listed, 1940s school building. we created a 21st century specialist sixth form facility which retained its distinctive identity, yet still integrated with the unified campus for the school.
CAse study
listed Building
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TherefurbishmentandremodellingoffourexistinghallsofresidencebuildingsatReadingUniversityisagoodexampleofthemulti-disciplinarypracticeswithinAtkinsworkingcloselytogether.Thedisciplineswerearchitecture,buildingservicesandprojectmanagement.Extensiveconsultationsbythedesignteamwerekeytothesuccessofthisproject.
Childs hall
ChildsHallhas375studybedroomswithfullcateringand84self-cateredrooms,allwithdatapoints.Thereisalibrary,acomputerroom,abar,twoTVroomsandasnookerroom.
Bridges hall
BridgesHallisanexistingpurpose-builthall,builtin1970.Therefurbishedbuildingnowprovides302roomsinthemainhallwhicharefullycateredforaswellasself-cateredaccommodationinthenewwingwith156rooms.
Theaimoftherefurbishmentwastoincreasetheusabilityofthespaceandallowthestudentstointeractandsocialiseandworktogether.
Thehallnowincorporatesacomputerroom,alibrary,alaundryroom,abar,commonrooms,musicroomandTVroom.Therearealsosquashandtenniscourts.
wantage hall
WantageHallhastwoparts.WantageOldCourtisaGrade2listedbuildingopenedin1908.Itnowaccommodatesmorethanonethirdofthe247students.WantageNewCourtwasaddedin1970tothenorthendofOldCourtandhalfofWantage’sstudentslivehere.
Thereare233singlestudybedroomsand7largesharedrooms,mostofwhichnowhavewashbasinsandallhavedatapoints.Thehallsalsohouseabar,acommonroom,TVroomandmusicpracticeroom.
university of ReadingReading,UK
Client UniversityofReading
Value£2.5m
status Complete
date 2002
CAse st
udy
heRitA
ge Build
ing
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Reuse and conversion >
Takingaredundantbuildingandturningitintoathrivingschoolwhichmeetstheneedsofitslocalcommunityisawonderfulwaytorecycleanexistingfacilityandcreateasustainableestate.
Clearly,inordertosucceedinthisway,avarietyofchallengesneedtobemet.Notleastwithregardtotheconsiderableamountoflegislationthatneedstobesatisfiedtoconvertthebuildingforeducationaluse.Atkinshaveconsiderableexpertiseinthisarea.
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Changingtheuseofanexistingbuildingandturningitintoasuitablelearningenvironmentisnomeanfeat.Themainchallengestobefacedincludethelayoutofexistingbuildings;thecapacityandefficiencyofexistingservicesandsystems;abilitytocomplywithcurrentlegislativerequirements;theenergyefficiencyofthebuildingfabric;overallsitelayoutandconstraintsandhazardoussubstances.
Buteachofthesechallengescanbeovercomewiththeapplicationofourexpertise,creativityandabitofpatiencedrivenbyourclients’passiontomakeithappen.
Reuse And COnVeRsiOn
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Client DepartmentfortheEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs
Value£24m
statusComplete
date 2005
Awards•‘OverallWinner’and
‘SustainabilityWinner’:RICSAwards2006
AtkinswascommissionedtoprovidedesignservicestorefurbishtheGradeIlistedNobelHouse,theninestorey1920sflagshipofficebuildingandprimaryinterfacewiththepublicfortheDepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA).
Theaimwastoprovideamodernandefficientworkingenvironmentfor750staffcapableofbeingexpandedtoaccommodateafurther120duringacrisisbyembracingbestpractice,safety,design,sustainability,energyefficiencyandcustomercare.
Theexistingcellularofficespaceswereopeneduptocreateanopenplanoffice,assistingthenaturalventilationforthebuildingandprovidingamoreproductiveandcomfortableworkingspace.
Ahi-techtranslucentfabricroofingmaterialhasbeenusedtoconvertthenorthlightwellintoaheatedatriumspace.Thisnewspaceprovidesacentralmeetingareaandabreakoutspace.
Theexistingcanteenwasexpandedintoanewrestaurantcateringfor120people.Thisislinkedtoconferencesuitesontheothersideoftheatriumviaanewbridgelink.
Workwascarriedoutoverninephaseswhilstthebuildingwasfullyoccupiedwithdecantofstaffacrossotherfloors/otherbuildingstoexecutetheworkswithminimumdisruptionandtoensureDEFRA’sbusinesscontinuedunhindered.
Sustainabledesignanduseofmaterialswasahighpriorityandtheprojectachievedan‘Excellent’BREEAMrating.Thebuildingisnaturallyventilatedandcooledbyopeningwindowsthathavebeenretainedonallexternalelevationsandinternallight-wellelevationswhereverpossible.Theatriumspaceprovidesastackeffecttoaidindrawinginfreshairandventilationisfromautomaticventsatthetopoftheatrium.EnergysupplywasmademoreefficientbyusingagasturbineCHPunitproviding25%oftheelectricalload,hotwaterandcoolingviachillers.
nobel house deFRA headquartersLondon,UK
Reuse And COnVeRsiOn
CAse study
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‘Refurbishmentofbuildingfaçadesoffersthesinglebiggestimprovementtointernalenvironmentthananyotherbuildingelement.Improveddaylight,betterventilation,morereliableairquality,reducedheatgainsandlossesallcometogetherresultinginlowcarbon,highqualitylearningenvironments.’
shabna Jobraj Building services engineer
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Refresh and repair >
Fromasingleschoolthatneedsaboilerreplacementorredecorating;totheassessmentofwholeschoolestatestoformulatecosteffectivemaintenanceandrenewalplans,wecanhelp.
Ourexperienceoflongtermstrategicrelationshipswithlocalauthoritiesmeanswehavetheknowledgeandexpertiserequiredtohelpcreateandimplementeffectivestrategicassetmanagementplans.
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stRAtegiC Asset mAnAgement PlAnning OxFORd sChOOls ReView
AtkinsprovidedaseamlessservicetoOxfordshireCountyCouncilonthereorganisationofeducationinOxfordCityareafromafirst,middleandupperschoolsystemtoaprimaryandsecondarysystemfrominceptiontocompletion.
AtkinsDesignteammembers,PlannersandSurveyorsworkedondifferentaspectsofthereviewforapproximatelysixyears–assistingwitheverystagefrominitialpublicconsultationtodisposalofthefinalsurplussite:
• APrincipalPlannerandaPrincipalArchitectworkedwithOxfordshireCountyCouncilofficersontheinitialstrategytoworkoutthepracticalitiesofthereorganisation.Thisincludedassessmentofexistingschoolsandbuildingsaswellasthealternativedevelopmentoptionsforpotentiallysurplussites.Thisworkwascarriedoutoveratwoyearperiodpriortoimplementationofthestrategy.
• AnumberofAtkinsArchitectsthenworkedonthedesignandconstructionofnewschoolsandnew-buildadditionstoanumberofothersaspartofthereview.
• AtkinsPlannersachievedplanningpermissionfordisposalofthesurplussitesandarrangedalltheapplicationsfor‘disposalconsent’fromthe(then)SecretaryofStateforEducation&Skills.
• Obtainingplanningpermissionincludedagreementofdevelopmentguidelines,overcomingtheissueofdevelopmentonplayingfieldswhichtheCityCouncilhaddesignatedasrecreationlandinitsLocalPlanandachievingsatisfactoryaccessarrangements–whichinsomecasesrequireddetailedworkwiththeHighwayAuthorityandthelayouttoformpartoftheoutlineapplication.
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• Eachpermissionwasdependentuponacomplexplanningagreement(negotiatedbyAtkinsonbehalfoftheCountyCouncil)coveringaffordablehousing(includingtypeandtenuremix),trafficandtransportpoints(egtrafficcalming,footway/cycleways,junctionimprovements)andcontributionstolocallibraries,communitysport/leisurefacilitiesandpublicart.
• AtkinsValuersproject-managedandimplementedthedisposalofsevensurplusschoolsiteswhichproducednetreceiptsinexcessof£40million,tofundthereorganisationoftheschoolstructureandconstructionofnewpremises.ThisincludedcompletionoftheplanningagreementsandworkingcloselywithSolicitorstoproduceotherlegaldocumentsincludingsalecontractsandtransfers,overageagreements,ransomstripleasesetc.
• Marketingwascarriedoutentirely‘in-house’,andinadvanceofclosureoftheschoolstoavoidtheproblemofemptybuildingsandtoensureaconstantflowoffundingtomatchthedevelopmentprogramme.Thisrequiredstrongprojectmanagementandsensitivityinequalmeasures,astheschoolrelocationsinvolvedfearsanduncertaintiesforthestaffandpupils.Allthereceiptsweredeliveredexactlyontimeandmetallbudgetaryrequirements.
• Throughoutthereview,therewascloseliaisonwithAtkinsBuildingSurveyorstoensurethatemergencyandplannedmaintenanceworksfittedwiththeproposedconstructionprogrammeandthatnounnecessaryworkwasdoneatclosingschools–withoutprejudicingtheproperdeliveryofservicetostaffandpupilsinthoseschools.
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NorthamptonshireCountyCouncilisengagedinareviewoftheeducationsystemwithinthetownofNorthampton,changingthethree-tierstructureoflower,middleandupperschoolstoatwo-tierstructureofprimaryandsecondaryschools.
Atkins(withLambertSmithHampton)hasadvisedandagreedwiththeCountyCouncilanappropriatestrategyforthedisposalof18surplusschoolsites.AtkinsPlannershavebeenprovidingtechnicalexpertiseinordertoobtainSecretaryofState’sconsenttodisposeofsurplusschoolplayingfields.ThisincludesundertakingdetailedareaassessmentsofschoolplayingfieldprovisionacrossNorthamptonandconsultationwithstakeholders.
AtkinsPlannershavealsosubmittedplanningapplicationsfortheredevelopmentofsurplusschoolsiteswiththesupportofAtkinsDesignteammemberswhohaveproducedindicativelayoutsforredevelopment.Manyofthesitesarelargeandrequireamulti-disciplinaryapproachtotheirdisposal.
Atkinshasco-ordinatedvariousassessmentstosupporttheplanningapplicationsincluding:
• EcologicalAssessments–toidentifypotentialconstraintstodevelopmentandrecommendmitigationmeasures.
• ArchitecturalAppraisals–toassessthearchitecturalsignificanceofsitesandidentifylistedbuildingsofhistoricvalue.
• Geo-DeskStudies–toidentifyground-relatedabnormalcostsandpotentialcontaminationsources.
• TopographicalStudies–toassessthetopographyofsites.
• TransportAssessments–toassessthepotentialimpactoftrafficgeneratedfromredevelopmentandaccesstothewiderhighwaynetwork.
• FloodRiskAssessments–toassesstheimpactofdevelopmentonthesurfacewaterdrainageofthesiteandsurroundingcatchments.
stRAtegiC Asset mAnAgement PlAnning nORthAmPtOn sChOOls ReView
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AtkinshasalongandcontinuingrelationshipwithEssexCountyCouncilnowextendingbeyond15years.Thisrelationshiphasaffordedustheopportunityofassistingtheauthorityinstrategicallyassessing,improvingandmaintainingitsschoolestatetodeliverbestvalueforthepupils,staffandotherstakeholders.OurrolewithEssexCCinvolvesusinthedaytodaysettingofthestrategicgoals,totheimplementationofeithermulti-siteprogrammesorsingleschemes.
Thisopportunityhasprovideduswithuniqueskillsthatarereadilytransferabletoothersimilarclientsandtheirestatestodeliverbestvaluemaintenanceworks.
Sinceitsinceptioninthelate1990s,AtkinshasundertakenassetmanagementsurveysforEssexCountyCounciltoprovidedatarequiredbycentralgovernmentandtheauthoritytoundertakeshorttomediumtermbudgetplanning.
BothAtkinsandEssexCCsawthisasanopportunitytoenhancethebasicsurveycriteriatoaddressestatewidegenericmaintenanceissues,abilitytoinfluenceandimproveenergyusageandsustainabilityacrosstheestateandtoinformthecapitalprogramme.
Thistargetedapproachhasallowedforthelimitedfundsavailabletotheauthoritytobeusedweretheycanmakethemostimpactorimprovementforthestaffandpupils.
WorkingwiththeLocalEducationAuthority,weadviseontheneedsoftheschoolestatebasedonexpectedrollnumbersanddemographicspreadofpupils,whichthencanbeaddressedinanyplanning.
Weappraisethewholeschoolestatewithasurveyencompassingthecounty’s578schools,comprisingofnumeroustypesofbuilding,fromearlyVictoriantraditionalbuildingsto1960ssystembuiltornewlybuiltschools.
Manyofthesehavebeenextendedoradaptedovermanyyears.Thesesurveyshighlight,throughadetailedscoring/assessmentsystem,alistofprioritisedmaintenanceworkandaddressboththeschoolbuildingfabricandservices.
FollowingcompletionoftheworkweundertakereviewsandhavedevelopedforEssexCCasystemwherewecanvalidatethecarbonsavingsintonnesachievedbyundertakingallaspectsofthemaintenanceplan.Thishasindicatedsavingsofapproximately100tonnesofCO2.
stRAtegiC Asset mAnAgement PlAnning essex COunty COunCil
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AtAtkinsweprideourselvesonthequalityandcommitmentofourstaff.Ourunparalleledrangeofservicesmeanswehaveexpertsineveryfieldofdesignconsultancyandprocurement.Eachunderstandsthatthesuccessofarefurbishmentandremodellingprojectisdependentuponmakingmostofanexistingbuildinganditsgrounds.
Often,thiswillmeanfindingsolutionsthatenhanceandcelebratethehistoryandcultureofaschool.Inourmostsuccessfulprojectsourclientstalkabouthowwehavegiventheirschoolsgreatercoherence.Theyareoftenrelievedtofindthatwesolvetheireverydayissuesof:
pooraccess;badlylitandcrampedcorridors,andweoftenmakesignificantchangeswithoutlosingtheinherentcharacteranduniquenessoftheschool.
Buildingonthe‘collectivememories’ofaplacegivesusatremendousthrill.
Refurbishmentandremodellingprojectspresentuswiththeopportunitytosustainablyimprovethequalityofthebuiltenvironment.Thisisbothethicallyappealingandsignificantlycontributestothequalityoflifeforthecommunitiesinwhichourstafflive.
Thisiswhywegetoutofbedinthemorning!
Right:the Atkins team in a stakeholder and local community engagement design review.
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south westAndyAlbutt
north westJohnMercer
walesLloydRoberts
north east
PhilipMcGuinness
scotland & northern ireland
StanDoyle
CentralLesleyWaud
london & south east
MalcolmHall
east Anglia
NickCoulson
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sCOtlAnd & n. iRelAnd
stan doyledirector
Tel:01412202075stan.doyle@atkinsglobal.com
CentRAl
lesley wauddirector
Tel:01925238386lesley.waud@atkinsglobal.com
nORth west
John mercerdirector
Tel:01925238365john.mercer@atkinsglobal.com
sOuth west
Andy Albuttdirector
Tel:01454662517andrew.albutt@atkinsglobal.com
nORth eAst
Philip mcguinnessdirector
Tel:01133066392philip.mcguinness@atkinsglobal.com
eAst AngliA
nick CoulsonAssociate director
Tel:01223814075nick.coulson@atkinsglobal.com
wAles
lloyd RobertsAssociate director
Tel:01745585351lloyd.roberts@atkinsglobal.com
lOndOn & sOuth eAst
malcolm halldirector
Tel:01372752333malcolm.hall@atkinsglobal.com
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Printed on recycled paper: ReviveUncoatedisproducedusing100%de-inkedpost-consumerwasterecycledfibre.ThepulpisbleachedusinganElementalChlorineFree(ECF)process.