design solutions


The decision to refurbish has


considerably reduced the input resources required and the amount of waste arising from the works. The main savings have been in retaining the existing foundations, floor structure, and building envelope since these elements typically represent around 50% of buildings’ embodied carbon. The project team has striven to meet


zero waste targets. So far, 99.97% of waste has been diverted from landfill. The construction programme was developed to allow for materials to be segregated


issues as they arose. An accurate survey model of the existing building, ruled out because of the known asbestos risk, would have been an enormous help. As it was, keeping the school open throughout called for unusually careful planning and close collaboration. Aware of this potential for the


unexpected to disrupt works from the start, CCoS selected the NEC option A contract, with early involvement from the contractor. Bringing them on board early enabled the parties to develop a phasing


co-ordinate structural, architectural and mechanical disciplines. While Navisworks has been used to inform site and construction logistics on the contractor side, the design team and the contractor are in agreement that 4D modelling (where time, programme, and construction sequencing are incorporated into the model) would have been useful to communicate phasing implications with the client and end-users. Had it been used, they would have been better prepared for the true impact of construction works when they eventually started. Requirements for acoustic


performance and energy efficiency for refurbishment projects are less onerous than their new-build equivalents. However, the project team has taken significant steps to ensure that the quality, look, feel and performance of the refurbished spaces, wherever possible, are no less than their adjacent new-build equivalents. As a result, acoustic performance and access have been significantly enhanced in the refurbished areas, far surpassing the minimum standards required. This project demonstrates that


The light and airy new atrium space will open onto the new courtyard, the social heart of the school. Flooring reclaimed from the old gym will clad the new staff pod.


and where possible for them to be reused on site. For example, flooring reclaimed from the gymnasium will clad the walls of the new staff pod in the main atrium. Copper pipework stripped from the building will form pottery shelving and hanging racks for portfolios in the art block. Internal walls are lightweight stud


partitions with surface-mounted services. This allows the building to be easily adapted as teaching and learning methods evolve, a flexibility that will extend the overall life of the building. Materials have been specifically selected for disassembly and waste reduction. For example, the loose-laid vinyl flooring and the roofing and cladding products can all be recycled into their manufacturers’ production chains at the end of their lifespan.


Collaborative working and maintaining a live school environment While the right choice, there is no doubt that refurbishing and extending has proven much more challenging than starting afresh. The existing buildings were in poor condition and contained several unwelcome surprises. Illogical routing of existing IT cabling made keeping the school live at all times awkward, and concealed elements of structure affected numerous planned duct routes. The design team had to be responsive and adapt to these unforeseen site


strategy collaboratively, which is how they avoided the need for any temporary decant accommodation. NEC Option A has been useful in other ways. For example, it has enabled the project manager to adapt the programme to respond to unforeseen requirements as they arise. Stride Treglown was novated to the


successful contractor, Morgan Sindall. This had several strategic advantages for this particular project. Keeping Stride Treglown on board meant that none of the systemic integrity in the design was lost, a continuity that is crucial for the final quality of this exemplar scheme. It also meant that the link between the architect and the head client – CCoS - remained strong throughout the build. The school leadership team remained


central to all stages, working collaboratively with both the council and the contractor throughout. Open dialogue between the school staff and the contractor has allowed well managed possession and handover of spaces. The majority of the final scheme


involved gutting and remodelling the existing fabric. Integrating the new extensions required significant demolition and alteration. This work demanded close collaboration and careful management of site operations and access for plant and materials to keep staff and pupils safe. The project BIM model helped to


extensive remodelling and refurbishment of a live school site is possible and can deliver an affordable and sustainable alternative to a new build. The journey has undoubtedly been challenging but the spirit of communication, collaboration, and flexibility is successfully transforming Pentrehafod Secondary for generations of future pupils.


www.stridetreglown.com


The diagram illustrates circular economy principles, showing a hierarchy of actions. The inner three light blue circles are the most desirable. The five purple segments overlaid on the circles show design principles that can be applied to reduce waste, extend the life of the building and enable the reclamation of materials at the end of a building’s life. (Source: ‘Building Revolutions’ by David Cheshire, which summarises the principles of a circular economy when applied to buildings.)


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