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£1.3m schools building contract awarded

Off-site construction specialist and buildoffsite member, Yorkon, has been awarded the £1.3m contract to build new science facilities at Christ College in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales – one of Britain’s oldest schools.

Designed by P+HS Architects, the scheme now has planning approval and is scheduled for completion this autumn. 16 steel-framed modules will be manufactured off site in York and will arrive at the school in the spring, ready for the completion of fitting out.

The use of off-site construction will reduce disruption to teaching, is a more sustainable method of building and will guarantee completion on time and on budget.

The design of the new building responds to its sensitive location in the National Park, using local materials such as Welsh stone and timber cladding. It will provide two physics labs, two biology labs, a sixth form project room, laboratory technician’s rooms, and a double height central atrium space that will function as a teaching area and exhibition space.

Commenting on the project, Kieran Dempsey, Bursar at Christ College, said, "We chose the off-site building method for ease of construction and to reduce the uncertainty about completion on time. A sustainable design and approach was also important, particularly as the end use of the building is science."

He added, “Yorkon’s solution best met our requirements for the project and will help us deliver some superb new facilities for the school.”

The scheme features a number of sustainable measures, including solar water heating to reduce energy consumption, and is designed to be flexible and adaptable to change. The modular building system will also reduce vehicle movements to site, and will reduce material waste and carbon emissions.