Portakabin calls for change in perceptions
Portakabin has welcomed the Government’s move towards off-site construction as a procurement solution following the Education Capital Review. Portakabin is also calling for a change in thinking among some contractors, architects and schools to help address any reluctance to embrace the opportunities and efficiency improvements that off-site construction can bring.
The advantages of steel-framed modular buildings have been well documented over recent years – programme times can be halved with a direct, positive impact on children’s education, and there is much less disruption to teaching when an existing school is extended. There are also clear sustainability and performance benefits – waste and vehicle movements can be reduced by up to 90 per cent and thermal efficiency is improved for lower running costs.
However, there is still the erroneous perception among some schools, local authorities and the architectural and construction community that modular buildings mean sub-standard teaching accommodation. The reality is that there is an infinite variety of aesthetic, layout and fitting out options to create school buildings that can genuinely inspire – whilst reducing procurement time. David Shaw, a Director of Portakabin, comments, “We still need a shift in perceptions among some architects, contractors and schools to help drive the changes forward – and to help get the best out of off-site solutions. We believe it is essential that teaching staff, governors, and parents have the opportunity to talk to and visit other schools with high quality permanent modular solutions already in use, to experience just what’s possible. We want to work closely with staff and pupils to explain how the buildings will be used and their advantages.”
www.portanews.co.uk Email:
information@portakabin.co.uk Tel: 0845 401 0010.
30 feature :: portable & modular buildings
Energy efficient temporary structure
Neptunus has launched the Flexolution, the most energy efficient semi-permanent structure currently available in today’s market.
Compared to other semi-permanent structures, the Flexolution has superior acoustic and thermal properties and offers an A-Rated energy performance under the EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive.
The Flexolution is constructed from aluminium columns and laminated wooden trusses. The walls are made of insulated sandwich panels or insulated glass, giving better noise reduction and excellent thermal capabilities. In addition, every component of the Flexolution can easily be dismantled and reused, thus reducing its overall CO2
footprint.
Available in 6 x 6 m increments the new structure can be transformed into almost any shape, and with the additional options of internal partitions and multiple levels, the type of use is unlimited. The standard height is 8 metres, but this can be adjusted to suit individual applications and to add multiple levels. The structure
can also be supplied complete with flooring, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Both internally and externally, the Flexolution is indistinguishable from a permanent structure.
UK Managing Director at Neptunus, April Trasler comments: “The Flexolution represents a new breed of temporary structure, ensuring that the possibilities of temporary structures are endless and opening them up to an even wider range of applications.”
The first ever Flexolution has already been built in The Hague and took just two weeks to erect. The 24m wide x 48m long building is being used as specialist gymnastics training facility whilst a permanent building is under construction. Neptunus has also recently supplied semi-permanent structures for a UN Climate Change Conference, training facilities for the Dutch Olympic Team and Europe’s largest temporary shopping centre in The Netherlands following a fire.
www.neptunus.co.uk
New Literature
Foremans Relocatable Building Systems has published a new brochure outlining the design options and technical
advancements now available for its highly sustainable, fast and cost-effective accommodation solutions.
The new literature is an informative guide to procuring recycled modular buildings for schools, nurseries, colleges and universities – from classroom extensions and science blocks to interim teaching accommodation, nurseries, crèches, dining facilities, seminar rooms and lecture theatres.
It includes information about
specifications, building refurbishment and reconfiguration, procurement options, health and safety, and the environmental credentials of recycled modular buildings. The literature is illustrated with completed projects from a diverse range of sectors and features comments from architects, contractors and building users. All recycled and refurbished modular buildings supplied by Foremans meet the requirements of the revised Building Regulations Part L2A 2010 (England and Wales) and Section 6 2010 (Scotland). Each building is fully refurbished off site – only the structure of the building is
recycled.
Accommodation is reconfigured to individual project requirements and fitted with new windows, wall linings, partitions, M&E services, doors and flooring to create
accommodation of the highest standards for both permanent and interim applications.
Every Foremans building is also now externally clad as standard, using a composite system for an attractive and robust finish with enhanced acoustic and thermal performance.
The Foremans approach reduces lead times for high quality modular accommodation by up to 70 per cent compared to traditional construction. It also significantly reduces disruption to teaching during the build programme, and because the buildings are constructed from recycled modules, it is highly cost effective.
www.foremansbuildings.info Email:
info@foremansbuildings.co.uk Tel: 01964 544344.
Building & Facilities Management – March 2011
Portable & Modular Buildings
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64