Awarded under the Kent Construction Framework, Baxall undertook the design and build of the impressive Wouldham All Saints CEP School. The new school provides extensive indoor and outdoor space and has been designed to accommodate a high SEN provision including classrooms, activity and washroom facilities. The project was procured as a single stage design and build contract at RIBA Stage 3+. Early stage value engineering identified that an MMC STREIF UK off-site manufactured solution would provide programme savings and assurance for project completion dates which were critical.
Baxall worked collaboratively with KCC and the design team, value engineering opportunities to reduce costs and programme whilst maintaining the overall architectural concept design. A good example was the re-design of the roof which in turn, reduced the number of walls within the building (generating cost savings of circa £150,000). Utilising BIM from an early stage, the complete design development was a collaborative and efficient process between all parties with a seamless approval process.
All site activities were well planned and executed with accuracy to ensure programme certainty. A good example were resequencing processes to counteract delays caused by the relocation of UKPN overhead and underground services, thus saving time and costs. The STREIF UK panels and installation were robust and of a consistent high quality with minimal on-site finishing to achieve performance criteria for fire compartmentation and acoustics. The completed building is fully insulated and highly energy efficient, greatly exceeding the design air permeability criteria; this will provide long-term benefits to the school through reduced energy consumption and far lower heating bills compared to a traditional build.
The project encompassed high levels of school, student and community engagement. The Senior Site Manager hosted regular interactive tours for the school, carried out site demonstrations, hosted a ‘Passing the Light’ ceremony and a carol service in their new hall prior to completion and handover. He joined the ‘Keep Wouldham Connected’ community group and provided community updates via Twitter, newsletters and personal engagement. The Parish Council and local community were invited to site tours and social value initiatives such as tree planting (400 trees were planted by Baxall alongside the community, school and children). The operational site was further used to host CPD training events to staff, the supply chain, industry peers and students from Mid Kent College and the CIOB demonstrating the efficiencies of BIM and MMC in practice.
KCC, the design team and school’s impressions have been extremely favourable; key architectural design features such as exposed glulam beams have provided a softer structural feel to the building spaces which in turn, harmonises this primary education environment with particular consideration to the high SEN student population. As part of the planned programme of Post Occupancy Reviews, Baxall have carried out an initial soft-landings assessment with the school and received excellent feedback. Reflective of this, and the professional and inclusive delivery of the building was the award of the Considerate Constructors Scheme Performance Beyond Compliance.