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A Framework For Future Design
ff-site construction (OSC) in the construction methods are perfectly suited to the
education sector doesn’t have to need for speed and ability to overcome project
be boxy. For too long now, it delivery issues.
has been associated with linear,
Orestrictive, and arguably dull Less Cost, More Speed
design - an afterthought even. The Dulverton SureStart Centre is a prime
However that is now changing as a new breed example of the many benefits that off-site
of companies are putting design back at the top systems bring to projects.
of the curriculum and proving that, with off-site Somerset County Council wanted to extend
construction, there should be no compromise in an existing school to create a new nursery
terms of architectural input or quality. facility that embraced sustainability and blended
All too often, clients looking at off-site with its surroundings. Yet space was at a
construction have been under the impression premium and it had to fit within the council’s
they are restricted to building by numbers, limited budget and 14 week timeframe.
using pre-determined cassette sizes or modules The architects designed the building to be
to best fit their plans. There’s been little other cut into a bank and feature a sedum roof to
option. Learning spaces demand more than compliment the surrounding fields. The original
this. They need to be inspirational, capturing design, which included a glazed ridge and a full
the imagination of those that use them on a height glazed entrance to flood the building
daily basis, yet also be completely functional. with natural light, was also based on traditional
Architectural design should be a leading masonry construction.
factor in every project and off-site construction However, it was soon discovered by the
techniques should be seen as a method of architects that the unique features of the
procurement – one that uses carefully £350,000 building meant it would be too costly
selected materials to create sustainable and and take too long to build. That was until it
comfortable buildings, without compromising
architectural design.
The new wave of off-site construction
solutions allow virtually any size and shape of
building to be created, without being hindered
by budgetary constraints.
This puts design back in hands of the
architects. By being involved in the early stages
of design, off-site specialists can discuss and
share ideas to provide cost-effective bespoke
solutions for complex features, such as large
spans and flowing curves.
This ability has been demonstrated on a wide
array of projects, where architects have enjoyed
a freedom not normally associated with
modular construction.
Eye Candy
When Fluid Architects designed the Maryland
Early Years Centre, Stratford, it wanted pupils to
be able to see how the building fits together.
The biggest challenge Fluid faced was finding a
way to build its vision, nicknamed ‘The
Jellybean’, within budget and in a tight
timescale of just five months.
With off-site fast track construction methods,
the build programme benefited from quicker
erection times and the flexibility needed to bring
the bold concept to life. By working with Fluid
to develop the idea, an off-site specialist
designed pre-engineered cassettes that
incorporate corrugated, translucent orange and
lime-green GRP cladding to reveal the
building’s inner workings.
The £500,000 facility is now the centrepiece became apparent that off-site construction only be formed once groundworks have been
of the Maryland School site, and fascinates both could make this exciting concept happen. completed, cassettes arrived on site, ready for
parents and children alike. Calls of “Wow, is While extensive groundworks were use as soon as the groundworkers had finished
that really my school?” were heard when the undertaken to remove substantial amounts of laying the foundations.
doors first opened at the start of 2007. soil from the bank, the building’s structure was The roof, floor and wall cassettes were swiftly
Aside from bringing inspirational design to being fabricated. In contrast to traditional build assembled, with minimal noise and disruption,
projects within the education sector, off-site methods, where a building’s superstructure can allowing other trades to commence work much
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.adfonline.eu10
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