FRAMEWORK DELIVERS A COLOURFUL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE
Framework Building Systems has put the colour into Essex’s Sure Start programme as the county embraces the government’s agenda to deliver childcare and education in an integrated way. ...
02/09/08 Show Full Article
OSC PROVES ITS WORTH AT SELF SUFFICIENT OUTDOOR CENTRE
Off-site construction (OSC) has yet again proven why it is the sustainable choice for the creation of new buildings following Framework Building Systems’ completion of an entirely self sufficient outdoor centre on an island with no electric of gas supplies.
Located on a site of special scientific interest, on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, the Baden Powell Outdoor Centre was designed by architects Wilkinson King, to celebrate the centenary of Baden Powell's first Scout camp on the island – the birthplace of the Scouting movement.
With no main electrical or gas supplies to the part of the island where the centre was to be located, it had to be designed to be totally self sufficient. The build process and long term performance of the building also had to have minimum impact on its immediate surroundings, to maintain the island’s natural balance.
Framework’s offsite construction solution was the ideal method of creating the self sufficient and low environmental impact centre. The solution also significantly aided in the transportation of materials as the only access to the island is by barge.
The roof, wall and floor cassettes were individually produced in Framework factory in Bedford. From here they were transported by lorry to Poole harbour where they were loaded onto a local barge operated by BP., capable of carrying two articulated trailers.
The logistical issued required Framework to design and manufacture the cassettes in a way that would keep deliveries to a minimum. As the availability of the barge depended on it being vacant, the cassettes had to be ready for the green light with as little as 24 hours notice.
Rather than take the trailers onto site, they were left by the dock and the cassettes collected using National Trust’s tractor when needed. This freed up valuable storage space, which was at a premium, and minimised impact on the island’s natural beauty. The remaining internal materials for Framework’s turnkey solution used a smaller barge on an ‘as required’ basis.
All construction had to be carried out during the winter months, when the Island is closed to the public. So, with just three months and the year’s worst weather to contend with, the quick erection time of Framework’s pre-fabricated cassettes proved invaluable – delivering a watertight building in less than three weeks.
The buildings, inspired by the form of a traditional scout ridge pole tent, are clad with cedar shingles and provide a teaching space, shower and WC facilities, sleeping accommodation and a Heritage Centre opening to a large timber decked external activity area.
To achieve self sufficiency, the buildings were designed to incorporate glazed gables to maximise natural light and minimise the electrical power requirements provided by a wind turbine. Hot water and heating is provided through a biomass boiler.
The scheme has proved so sucessful that it received a 2008 RIBA Award for the Wessex Region.
06/08/08 Hide Full Article
MODERNIST PAVILLION TO GET THE OSC TREATMENT
A collaborative pitch between offsite specialist Framework and award winning architects Sjölander da Cruz has won the commission to design and build a Resource Centre for the young people of Neston, near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire...
04/11/07 Show Full Article
FRAMEWORK SCORES A ROYAL HAT TRICK
Three members of the royal family have given their seal of approval to a trio of high profile projects built by leading off site construction specialist Framework using the company’s innovative system of factory produced, pre-engineered roof, wall and floor cassettes...
03/11/07 Show Full Article