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.
Southend Borough Council’s latest two facilities are a sight to see. Clad in bold primary colours, the two nursery buildings at Milton Hall Primary School in Westcliffe-on-Sea and Friars Primary School in Shoeburyness, fulfil the ambition of providing childcare, early education, and health and support services for families with children under five years old.
Originally designed to employ traditional build methods and offering striking architecture for buildings of this type, the Council took the decision to change to OSC (off-site construction) when time and cost became a consideration. Framework, not fazed by this late call to arms, was asked to deliver the scheme using its innovative and flexible pre-engineered, panellised building system.
The system combines off-site manufacturing and fast track construction with architectural desire, best value and environmental sensitivity, making it ideal for the two schemes.
Framework brought in London-based Living Architects to develop the Council’s design concepts for the two buildings, to ensure maximum balance and efficiency between architecture and system.
“We have worked with Framework on a number of schemes,” commented Mike Irwin of Living Architects. “The company’s pre-fabricated cassette system lends itself particularly well to nurseries and primary schools due to the type of spaces and spans required.”
The closed panels, prefabricated at Framework’s Bedford factory, are bespoke for each project, but typically comprise 140mm CLS with fibrous board on the external face, 9mm of OSB3 for the internal lining, plus insulation of the clients / architects choice and vapour barriers. The cassettes include first fix electrical containment and mechanical ducting if required.
Once on site the panels are simply craned into place and locked together. Strong and rigid enough to form the core structure in their own right, they are tied together with a glulam ring or head beam to allow unrestricted fenestration or aperture.
The central spine wall of the schools necessitated extra large panels, measuring 15.5x3.6m. These large central panels provide additional structural support, something that would have been much tougher to achieve with traditional build methods.
The off-site prefabrication phase of the project took just two weeks to complete. “The cassette construction was very straightforward for us and we achieved efficiencies doing the two projects at the same time,” commented Framework’s Business Development Manager. “Once on site, the main structures were completed in just 16 weeks, significantly faster than if they had gone down traditional construction routes.”
Like all innovative building systems from Framework, anything is possible. Unlimited design licence internally and externally allows for an unrestricted choice of cladding materials, roof and floor coverings, fixtures and furnishings, electrical fittings, decorative finishes and more.
The end result is a brace of nurseries featuring classrooms, breakout spaces, and offices with Southend Borough Council certainly fulfilling its wish for a striking appearance. In part, the buildings are clad with heartwood larch, but the majority of the elevations are clad in striking coloured cladding panels, perfect for a bright, appealing nursery environment. The two nursery schools, which are variations on a visual theme, are light, airy and open, despite their relatively diminutive 250m2 footprint.
Gone are the days of OSC offering a second rate construction alternative but to the detriment of architecture, quality and longevity. OSC now offers the best of all worlds – the ability to create interesting and imaginative buildings that utilise the latest building designs, construction techniques and materials. Its only limitation is that of the imagination.
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