architect’s assertion that it had initially pursued a “passive” ventilation and energy solution, but been defeated by the age and size of the original building. “If you do a passive design, everything
needs to be designed around that,” commented Eriksson. “It’s not something you can take half measures on.” The design does have sustainability
credentials, but Caplehorn felt that state schools should go further. “Where’s the hard evidence of what they’ve achieved? Where’s the BREEAM certificate?” The panel also questioned the
maintenance implications of cleaning all that curtain walling, and felt that the design was likely to date quickly. If Clapham Manor represented architectural evolution, it was possible a side-branch circa 2007. “I don’t think it’s firing on all cylinders,”
Caplehorn concluded. “Schools are public buildings, they’re a resource, a community centre. Every school is an opportunity to do the very best we can. And I don’t think this does — architecturally, it attracts the eye, but it already looks dated.” Pros: Eye-catching. Cons: Over-indulgent design, failures in project management.
CHRIST’S COLLEGE SCHOOL
“ It’s a good advert for what can be done — but is this any better than other schools?” Bob Heathfield
A new secondary school for Guildford, built outside the Building Schools for the Future programme under a Surrey County Council framework, was the final project discussed by the panel. The school was conceived by architect DSDHA as a true modern civic building, with a strong brick facade to suggest gravitas and longevity, and an interior that would feel robust and secure. A compact layout promotes its idea of “one big house”, centred on a timber-lined, multi-purpose atrium space. Bob Heathfield alighted on one aspect
of the project that set it apart. “It looks like a D&B fixed price contract, but it has open book accounting with cost savings shared with the client. Done properly, that formula does bring out the best in people. The architects said Wates were ‘fairly non-contractual’, so from a contractual aspect, it looks like it worked fairly well!” An innovative ventilation and heating
system was used, whereby each classroom had a mechanical heat recovery and fan unit set into the cavity wall, to warm fresh air entering via a vents under the windows. Until the room is up to the
the Alternative Stirling Prize? The project that ultimately gave
them most confidence in all these areas was the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, by Rick Mather Architects and BAM Construct. “For the form of contract, being
just two and half years on site, an absolutely nightmare to do, in a restricted area, and delivering after setting the opening date a year in advance,” summed up Heathfield.
Erikkson added: “The logistics were incredible — you can see it was a tough challenge.” The panelists agreed that Berlin’s
Neues museum was the runner-up. “I like them both, but the Ashmolean stands out,” said Sapiano. “In terms of design, I’m sitting on
the fence. But holistically, I’m coming down on the side of the Ashmolean,” agreed Caplehorn.
So there you have it. Taking into
account the technical challenge, sustainability and project efficiency, the Ashmolean was judged to have done most to contribute to the “evolution of architecture”. But the evolution of industry
standards also moves rapidly. With the bar for projects in general now so high, future award winners must show they really are above the rest.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER | OCTOBER 2010 | 19
required temperature, dampers cut off the supply of fresh air. This evidence of a strong sustainability
strategy was welcomed. “Although it didn’t have a BREEAM assessment, it did have a pre-assessment – none of the others have mentioned anything to do with that,” said Gemma Sapiano. The contractor had an equally robust
sustainability strategy, recycling all the material from the demolition of the former school on the site, and re-using the displaced sub-soil and top-soil. But Wates was nevertheless given lukewarm praise for achieving an air-tightness score of 4.6. “To me these days, 4.6 is middle of the road,” commented Peter Caplehorn. The panel saw many positives, but still
struggled to see what really made Christ’s College special. All its positive attributes were no more than what is expected of the industry generally. “It’s a good advert for what can be done, and a good form of contract — but is this any better than other schools?” asked Heathfield. Pros: All-round achievement. Cons: An all-round achievement that shouldn’t be seen as exceptional. EK
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