Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed by Derbyshire County Council to deliver a new £5.3 million primary school on Tutbury Avenue in Littleover, Derby. The project has been procured through the Scape Regional Construction framework (RCF). Morgan Sindall Construction will celebrate two years on the framework in February 2020. A ground-breaking ceremony was held this week to celebrate the beginning of onsite works. It was attended by representatives from the main contractor and Derbyshire County Council, alongside members of the Spencer Academy Trust and Lungfish Architects. Spencer Highfields Academy will be governed by the trust, which runs primary, secondary and sixth form provisions across the East Midlands. Derbyshire County Council has commissioned the scheme in anticipation of a population surge generated by Highfields Estate, the new build housing development where the school will be situated. Once complete, the school will provide 210 primary and 26 nursery places. Plans outline a single-storey, 15,510 square foot main building. This will house seven general purpose classrooms, a reception, nursery and a double storey main hall. External facilities include a soft play area, a large playing field, and a MUGA pitch. Students will also benefit from a visitors’ garden and allotment area. There will also be a parking area and cycle storage facilities. Designed by Lungfish Architects, the new development is using offsite modular construction methods. Modular building allows for greater time efficiency within the build programme, alongside considerably decreased carbon emissions. Offsite work has already commenced on forty-five pre-fabricated modules at subcontractor Eco Modular’s factory in Hull. These will then be delivered to site and completed in time for the new academic year. Rob Cant, Framework Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “Modular building is proving incredibly popular in the education sector – and with good reason. Advances in technology mean that modern methods of construction can deliver high-quality 21st century learning environments within constrained time scales and with minimal disruption to day-to-day school life. “Offsite construction results in reduced subcontractor traffic, and embodied carbon, while the expandable nature of the design facilitates easy expansion should population growth necessitate it in future. “We’re naturally very pleased to be working with Lungfish Architects on another key education project for Derby; and to be delivering it through Scape Group’s Regional Construction framework (RCF), which we celebrate two years on next month.” Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Young People Councillor Alex Dale said: “We’re very pleased to be working in partnership on this exciting project and making the best use of our resources to provide a high-quality modern school for local children and for use by the wider community. “We approved the requirement for a new school to respond to the need for more school places due to significant housing developments in the area and also to provide much-needed nursery provision. “We were pleased to be involved in its design and it is our first whole school modular build – a building innovation recommended by the Department for Education – which makes it quick, efficient and cost-effective and also reduces construction disruption for local residents.” Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said “future proofing our education facilities now in preparation for the increase in population is vital to ensure that education standards can continue to improve. It is reassuring that Derbyshire County Council has taken this strategic approach and is further investing in its constituents’ education with Spencer Highfields Academy.” Simon Reid, Lungfish Architects Managing Director, commented “By working collaboratively with Derbyshire County Council, Morgan Sindall and utilising our expertise in designing schools using offsite modular construction techniques, we are creating innovative, engaging spaces that will enhance the learning experience for the pupils.” Work is expected to complete on the project by September 2020. Last year, Morgan Sindall Construction and Lungfish worked together on the nearby Hackwood Primary Academy which opened in September. The modular project has been hailed for the speed of delivery, which saw work progress from planning to completion in less than a year.

Plans have been put forward for a major new science and engineering building at Manchester Metropolitan University. This project would see the existing John Dalton West building demolished and a new, seven-storey academic building constructed in its place. The development would deliver new teaching spaces for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, as well as cutting-edge laboratories, academic offices, social learning areas and a new energy centre. Further works will see the current John Dalton Tower refurbished and connected to the development, along with the creation of new pedestrian routes across the site. Professor Andrew Gibson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “The new building represents our ambition as a faculty and will help us to drive new scientific discovery that will benefit our students, the region and the economy. “The development will help the University to continue its role in nurturing innovation in critical research to tackle the challenges of tomorrow, including hydrogen fuel cell technology, Industry 4.0 technologies, sport and healthcare science, and supporting a sustainable society.” National planning and development consultancy Turley is providing Planning, EIA, Economics and Strategic Communications services for the project. Anna Relph, Associate Director at Turley, added: “This is a fantastic project which we’re delighted to be part of. The University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering makes a significant contribution towards the Greater Manchester economy through its ground-breaking research and partnerships with local businesses. “The new building will facilitate the continued growth of the faculty by providing additional state-of-the-art facilities and enhancing the efficiency of the retained estate. It will also create a new ‘gateway’ to the campus through the redevelopment of an underutilised site adjacent to the Mancunian Way.” Manchester City Council is expected to reach a decision on the planning application by 20 March 2020. Following approval, demolition are expected to commence at the end of 2020, and the works completed in 2023.

A new £8 million Campus for Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) Innovation has opened its doors to students in West Suffolk. The West Suffolk College development has reached completion in Phase 1, comprising a 4,300 sqm teaching facility with two seminar rooms, 10 classrooms, six laboratories, learning hubs, social spaces and a business centre. This marks the first of a multi-phased campus redevelopment programme which will bring state-of-the-art, specialist STEM facilities to the region. Contractor Coulson Building Group worked with landscape architect Wynne-Williams Associates and consultancy Pick Everard to bring the project to life. Speaking about the project, Pick Everard director Keith Prendergast said: “This first phase has significantly modernised the college’s offering. Our designs have enabled further and higher education teaching services to take place under one roof, alongside a space for local businesses. This creates greater links with industry, addressing the skills gap in STEM and creating an opportunity for real collaboration. “The campus is on the site of a former specialist engineering facility, where high-end equipment for TV and media was developed. It’s great that we’re helping to continue this story, creating a space that will train the next generation of engineers. “The space has now been completely refurbished, enhancing its exterior appearance and significantly improving the internal specification. “The site will eventually house 350 students and has also been designed to accommodate space for businesses linked to the educational offer. We’re incredibly proud to have been involved and look forward to seeing the rest of the campus develop.” The completion of the £3.4 million facility in phase one has meant that West Suffolk College can consolidate its computing and engineering departments, bringing them together under one roof. Gary Jefferson, executive director engineering and technology at West Suffolk College added: “The transformation of the Vitec factory is nothing less than remarkable. We have taken a 1960’s factory and, in phase one, we have created a state-of-the-art computer science and engineering facility which will train the creators, programmers and innovators of tomorrow from GCSE level through to degrees. “We now have an ultra-modern teaching accommodation for nearly 400 students, covering digital technologies and engineering disciplines and are already approaching our capacity. The philosophy of the design is helping the cross-disciplinary project work that our students are completing with businesses. By creating spaces for students to circulate and collaborate on projects in a flexible environment, we can future proof them for success in their careers ahead. “At this phase, we have still only developed approximately one third of the site and have amazing plans to develop the remaining two thirds. We’re set to expand our site by creating labs for agritech, physics, chemistry, biology, big data, artificial intelligence and fully immersive augmented and virtual reality technologies.”

The development of a £30 million phased project at Croesyceilliog School in Cwmbran, South Wales, has reached an important milestone. Contractor Kier Regional Building Wales has completed the first phase of the scheme, which saw the construction of a new 1,200 pupil school to replace the original building that dated back to the 1950s. At three storeys high, the new building offers around 10,800m2 of teaching space creates an inspirational and collaborative environment for pupils which also includes a double-height assembly hall, dining area as well as a drama and learning resource centre. Other facilities include a two-story main hall and outdoor pitches and gym and activity studio. Pupils moved into the new facility earlier this month. Jason Taylor, Kier Operations Director, Wales said: “We have been working on the Croesyceiliog School project for the last 91 weeks and it is a great achievement to have handed this over three weeks early.   
”Thank you and well done to all the team involved in this state-of-the-art school, it’s been a fantastic project to work on and the client is absolutely delighted with the end result. I’m really proud of how closely we have worked with the school and local community to leave a lasting legacy, including providing apprenticeships, hosting work experience opportunities and inviting school ambassadors on to site to see the school progressing first hand.” John Lewis, Group Leader Property Construction, Torfaen County Borough Council added: “The Kier team, from inception of the project, has worked in a fully collaborative manner with Torfaen’s in-house consultant team in order to produce a first-class facility for the pupils, staff and community of Torfaen. “There were many challenges throughout the first phase of the project, including constructing the new facility within a live school environment, and these were overcome by proactive, integrated, collaborative project management. All who worked on the project should be proud of their achievements.” With the new building now complete, work will move to demolish the old buildings and replace them with a new multi-use games area.

Work has begun to build a new state-of-the-art teaching block at Colmers School & Sixth Form College in Rednal, Birmingham. Interserve has signed on to deliver the £7.2 million project, with funding directly from the Department for Education (DfE), Birmingham City Council and Colmers School & Sixth Form College. This scheme will involve the demolition of the existing west building, which is more than 70 years old, and the construction of a new large teaching block to accommodate additional facilities including two science classrooms and a growing school cohort. It forms part of the UK Government’s £4.4 billion Priority School Building Programme which aims to rebuild or refurbish those school buildings in the very worst condition across the country. Emma Leaman, Head Teacher at Colmers School & Sixth Form College, said: “This much-needed replacement of one out-dated school building on the site will offer modern facilities, providing life-long benefits for pupils and staff in a welcoming and secure setting. This is a wonderful opportunity for the school and our local community and there will be an emphasis on quality and innovation throughout the building programme. “Interserve Construction, which has lots of experience of building schools, has been selected by the Department for Education to deliver the project.” Simon Butler, Interserve Construction Divisional Director, added: “This exciting project represents the largest investment in more than 70 years for Colmers School & Sixth Form College. It will enable it to grow and build upon their performance with brand new facilities for generations of students in this area. “Education across the spectrum from primary through to tertiary remains a key strategic focus for Interserve Construction and in the past year alone we have been named the lead contractor on more than 16 new school projects demonstrating our capabilities in the sector.”

Mason UK has formed part of the team to deliver a £40 million development at the Royal College of Music. Situated between the vibrant Imperial College of London and the illustrious Royal Albert Hall, the Royal College of Music can be considered the pinnacle of past, present and future music within the capital. The £40 million ‘More Music: Reimagining the Royal College of Music’ Campaign aims to increase access to music and strengthen facilities. The building development will enhance student and visitor experience. Floating floors were required in the new performance hall to create separate box-in-box structures providing areas for undisturbed musical performances. With high ceilings, varying levels and heavy floor finishing zones, the floating floor and bearing designs had to be carefully coordinated with the design team and in particular the structural engineers. The heavy perimeter walls and ceiling were constructed on 12Hz natural rubber bearings which surround the main floating floor. This helped to spread the mass across the structural floor rather than having large point loads. At the head of these walls were bespoke design acoustic snubbers which would engage in the unlikely scenario of the walls moving laterally ±3mm. This satisfied both the acoustic and structural requirements. Mason UK’s involvement in the Royal College of Music’s More Music building development brought together many different elements of design. Being directly involved within the design process enabled the best possible solution to be put forward; this is especially important in scenarios where a typical construction solution is not suitable.