Design Flexibility & Best Value for Schools

The drive to deliver efficiencies in the public sector means that achieving best value in new buildings is vitally important. The Managing Director of off-site construction specialist Terrapin, looks at how modern building systems are helping to deliver a good return on investment in the education sector. “Off-site construction has long presented an attractive option to schools and, in many cases, with restricted access and tight build schedules, it is the only practical option. That's because traditional construction methods cannot compete with modular buildings for achieving a workable space on site within a short period of time at a reasonable cost. For example, the constraints of often having to work within the school holidays means building designers have recognised how offsite construction provides a much quicker, more flexible system.”

“Innovation in modular buildings over the past 10 years has been significant, making off-site construction even more relevant to the education sector". Corner-loaded modules are available that increase design flexibility and generate significant cost savings on site and throughout the life of a building. Within our range, these hybrid buildings are based around a steel frame, which provides greater architectural freedom in an economical and space-efficient building system. This type of system means the building designer can ’break out of the box’ and specify modules that are non-rectangular or have internal atria or balconies. The design scope is extensive and this also includes the possibility of corner-to-corner glazed walls, a feature that is becoming very popular in schools. By choosing an off-site corner-loaded system, modules can be supplied either fully serviced and with watertight exterior cladding and ready to be craned into position, or as flat pack panels, which are easily assembled and finished on site.”

Off-site construction meets the needs of schools in many ways not least because of their specific site requirements due to their locations often close to residential areas, with access only by narrow roads. Again, such buildings benefit from all the advantages of off-site construction, in that modules are produced to exceed the 2010 building regulations requirements and have been specifically developed to overcome current modular build issues. With the current focus on lifetime values, off-site construction can offer major advantages, too. Schools are looking for new ways to improve their financial performance and off-site buildings are available for hire, as well as outright purchase. Research has shown that the return on investment for an off-site constructed school building has proven to be significantly greater than that of a traditional build. Many schools are taking advantage of the option of 10 year rental, rather than outright purchase, as this can make a more flexible payment arrangement.

“The improved aesthetics of off-site buildings that have been developed over the past few years means it is not difficult to create a seamless link between existing and new buildings. The flexibility of our service means we can avoid any unnecessary steps or slopes internally between the two buildings. Externally, conjoined buildings can be matched by re-rendering making the new classrooms indistinguishable from the traditional built main structure.”

“With a focus on affordability and good value, off-site manufacturing is rising to the challenge of meeting educational needs. The introduction of flexible flat pack and hybrid systems, which have all the design freedom offered by traditional buildings, means schools can benefit from buildings that meet their needs for performance, scheduling and cost.”