Methods of Construction:

The building compromised strip and pad foundations, supporting a steel frame. To ensure sufficient sustainability provision was built into the roof design, we installed precast concrete planks (to ensure thermal mass), with a Bauder roof covering and PV Array, covering 70% of the area. The Roof also overhangs the building to help reduce overheating. The SFS infill to the external walls was finished with Ruukki cladding, a specialist cladding from Estonia. Sections of aluminium curtain walling completed the external walls.

Internally, MEP systems were installed, some tagging into the existing school’s system, such as the fire alarm and BMS. We installed breathing building units to aid ventilation, underfloor heating throughout and a roof mounted ASHP, to provide hot water.

Decorations included painted walls on plaster, hygienic cladding to wet areas, and a mixture of carpet and vinyl. We also had exposed soffits in the classrooms, with hanging acoustic rafts and lighting systems.

Social Value:

Social value was an important focus of this project. Our project team worked hard with Cambridgeshire County Council throughout the project, ultimately managing to match the total value of the project in social value, generating £2.8m!

We targeted 4 areas of social value Impact Evaluation criteria over the scheme. They included tackling economic inequality, the creation of new business, jobs and skills, increasing supply chain resilience and capacity, and wellbeing.

Activities undertaken by our delivery team contributing to social value included:

• Presenting a whole school assembly, helping to engage and inspire young children with the construction industry.
• Accommodating a work experience student for a week
• Placing £920k of subcontractor orders with local suppliers
• Continued education of the workforce, logging training hours such as toolbox talks
• Donating money to improve school wellbeing facilities, i.e., the school garden.
• Facilitating degree-enhancing work opportunities for multiple Barnes Management Trainees over the project lifecycle from procurement through to delivery.