Download - modular school buildings get - MPBA · 2017. 11. 10. · Written by Jackie Maginnis, CEO, The Modular & Portable Building Association Limited Buildings supplied today needn’t look

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Page 1: modular school buildings get - MPBA · 2017. 11. 10. · Written by Jackie Maginnis, CEO, The Modular & Portable Building Association Limited Buildings supplied today needn’t look

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Written by Jackie M

aginnis, CEO, The Modular &

Portable Building Association Limited

Buildings supplied today needn’t look like ‘boxes’ nor subscribe to the old image of characterless ‘site huts’. We have reached a point where it is difficult to tell them apart from traditional developments. Such buildings can be designed to meet both the functional needs and budgetary restraints that are important today.When looking at either replacing extending or adding to existing school, college, university or nursery facilities, the list is endless as modular

buildings can meet any client-set criteria. High quality modular accommodation is flexible enough to meet education needs – layout and design services are also available from suppliers as well as expert advice on planning issues, building regulations and safety requirements. fast installationPortable or temporary accommodation units are available from some companies supplied

with fittings and service connections in place, dependent on your requirements. We know from experience that buildings are available for both purchase or hire from many of our member companies. Companies which, with an industry sector have embraced changes to meet the requirements of new regulations and ever-increasing demands for energy efficiency. The strength and benefits of modular buildings can be expressed in simple terms. They offer sustainable solutions with low embodied energy, reduced waste and minimal carbon emissions – all factors that can help save our planet for future generations. When planning your buildings, save time and money by cutting out the middle men and talking directly to the industry. And have confidence in an industry represented by its own trade body.

sPaRsholt RefuRbishment Sparsholt College Hampshire, near Winchester, a centre of excellence in land-based studies, has chosen the highly sustainable recycled modular building approach from Foremans Relocatable Building Systems to expand its teaching accommodation. Five modular buildings were required by the college following an increase in student numbers and as part of its continued expansion. The single-storey teaching blocks were refurbished ready for installation on three sites around the campus during the holidays to minimise any disruption to students and the entire project was completed within four months of order.The buildings were partially clad in sustainably-sourced timber to help them blend into the surrounding rural environment, and fully refurbished and fitted out off site at Foremans’ production centre.Commenting on the project, Tim Jackson, Principal at Sparsholt College, said: “Foremans offered the most cost-effective solution to providing very high quality additional classrooms to accommodate the significant volume increases in students. “The classrooms look absolutely excellent E

ConstRuCtion solutions

modular school buildings get inbuilt flexibilityWith their knowledge and experience, modular suppliers are well positioned to provide modern, comfortable and functional facilities to an education sector that continues to feel the pinch.

Design & Build

Page 2: modular school buildings get - MPBA · 2017. 11. 10. · Written by Jackie Maginnis, CEO, The Modular & Portable Building Association Limited Buildings supplied today needn’t look

Design & Build

In particular, Foremans’ approach generates less than 10 per cent of the carbon emissions compared to a newly-manufactured building of equivalent size (source: CO2 Emissions from Use, Scrapping and Manufacture of Modular Buildings, MPBA). And because much of the refurbishment work takes place off site, the approach generates fewer vehicle movements to site than traditional new build. Also, the bulk of the embodied energy in a modular building is in the steel components and the insulation materials used in the manufacture of the building envelope. By refurbishing the building modules and preserving these elements which have significant embodied energy, Foremans is extending the life of the building.Case study provided by Foremans.

new buildWernick Buildings recently supplied additional teaching space to Slough’s local education authority in double quick time. “My senior staff visited a Wernick school building not far from here to see what a modular building looked like,” says Arina Hester, headteacher at Godolphin Infant School, Slough. “They were surprised because it did not look very much different from any other new, traditionally-constructed school building, except that it was very smart and air-conditioned. The big difference was

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ConstRuCtion solutions

newly manufactured modular buildings. This was a very successful project and Foremans’ service was very good.” Each recycled modular building was fully refurbished with new windows, wall linings, partitions, M&E services, doors and flooring, creating high quality teaching accommodation for the college’s permanent use. Sparsholt College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence, and is one of the largest and best regarded colleges of further education that specialises in land-based studies. It has more than 1,400 full-time and 6,000 part-time students. The recycling and refurbishment of relocatable buildings is one of the most sustainable methods of construction – helping to reduce carbon emissions, waste sent to landfill, and improving a building’s carbon footprint. Sustainability benefits are manifold.

E and have been clad with cedar panelling and installed at ground level, rather than being elevated, which makes them look like a very settled part of the campus. We were very happy with the service and the finish, and would be happy to recommend the approach to other education providers.”Nigel Stephens, property manager at Sparsholt College, said: “The use of recycled building modules is highly sustainable, and minimised any impact on the environment – an important requirement for the college. The modular approach also helped us to address the limitations of our site and its restricted access, as well as ensuring the classrooms would be in place for the start of the new term.“This is the first time we have used recycled and refurbished modular buildings and we are very pleased. You really can’t tell the difference between these classrooms and

The strength and benefits of modular buildings can be expressed in simple terms. They offer sustainable solutions with low embodied energy, reduced waste and minimal carbon emissions – all factors that can help save our planet for future generations.

Page 3: modular school buildings get - MPBA · 2017. 11. 10. · Written by Jackie Maginnis, CEO, The Modular & Portable Building Association Limited Buildings supplied today needn’t look

Design & Build

the teaching space available. That really surprised them – they were immediately suggesting what the extra teaching space would allow us to achieve.” Hester’s accommodation problems started when local parents started to register their children for the 2010-2011 academic year. The school roll is multi-faith and 97 per cent multi-ethnic with the school age population in its catchment area increasing at a rate above the national average. Although Arina and the local education authority were well aware of this trend, the figures they had did not reflect the real situation. They just did not have enough space in their existing school building and time was not on their side. Fortunately funds were available for ‘areas of most need’ and Godolphin had a very strong case to obtain the cash that was required, but these building developments do not happen overnight. However, the project was quickly approved, architect’s designs passed and the job completed in six months. Neath Abbey based Wernick Buildings was appointed to supply the new 13 bay modular

building which was delivered over two days, with on-site finishing work taking just eight weeks to complete. Delivery started in June and the building was completed in August, so Arina’s pupils saw the start of the project and came back in the new school year to a completed building. This would not have been achievable using traditional building techniques. “One delightful moment,” Hester recalls, “was when our year one children watched one of the building modules being craned in. As the unit touched gently into position the children broke into spontaneous applause and all the Wernick site personnel took a bow. It was a lovely moment. This was typical of the approach taken by Wernick, we couldn’t have asked for a better site manager. Everything I enquired about received a straight answer; there were no nasty surprises”. The L-shaped, 417-square metre building has two very large classrooms which can be rapidly divided into four rooms by drawing sound-proof screens. There is also a spacious staff office and large store for each classroom. The exterior is finished in

cedar cladding and an attractive acrylic render. Toilet facilities are also included for staff, pupils and disabled people. staff ReaCtion“Initial staff reaction to the new building can only be described as ecstatic,” Hester says. “One teacher was seen dancing with delight at the size, specification and finish of her new room. They were all absolutely delighted with the space available. These new rooms, even with the folding partitions closed, are twice the size of the rooms in the old school and the old classrooms have no cupboard space. “Since the new building was completed we have experienced a full fire alert with fire crews in attendance,” Hester says. “The alarm was for the old school building, so we evacuated all 300 children quickly into the four new classrooms. We were amazed that they all fitted in so comfortably and lessons were continued by the staff in an orderly fashion. I was absolutely delighted that a potentially dangerous situation was averted and the new accommodation proved to be so flexible”. Case Study provided by Wernick Group. L

Case studies provided by members of the MPBA. Member details and other case studies are available under the ‘Industry News’ section of the association’s website.

foR moRe infoRmationtel: 0870 241 7687www.mpba.biz

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ConstRuCtion solutions

The use of recycled building modules is highly sustainable, and minimised any impact on the environment – an important requirement for the college. The modular approach also helped us to address the limitations of our site.