Terrapin completes classroom construction project for Hillingdon schools

Modular buildings pioneer Terrapin has successfully completed the initial stage of an ambitious classroom construction project at five schools in Hillingdon, north-west London.

Phase 1 of the company's project with Hillingdon Borough Council, with Mace Construction acting as the contract administrator, began in June 2011 and was completed by the beginning of the new academic year in September.

With delivery of modular classrooms to Glebe, Pinkwell, Heathrow, William Byrd, Rabbasfarm and Brookside Primary School having been completed between 2009 and 2010, Terrapin has since finished similar projects at Harlyn, Highfield and Belmore, Glebe and Rosedale College schools.

Terrapin utilised its innovative Unitrex flat pack system during the project, which proved to be the perfect solution given the restricted access at the schools and the tight timeframes involved. With the components manufactured off site, Terrapin was able to assembly the classrooms at the schools - making them weather-tight in just three days.

Each school required the installation of a 130 sq m double classroom. As well as educational facilities, the buildings feature toilets in the middle section and a separate kitchenette area. The double classrooms have a capacity of 30 pupils.

At Rosedale College, the project consisted of a totally new school consisting of three classrooms featuring associated cloak stores, toilet areas, a 30-place nursery, administration area and school hall - all required for the new intake of pupils in September.

Simba Nyabasa, who worked as a quantity surveyor on the project, said that delivery had been "very ambitious" due to the limited time Terrapin had to work with.

"The project represented the continuation of our working relationship with Hillingdon and shows their faith in our ability to deliver," he commented.

"We had worked on five other schools in Hillingdon previously and look forward potentially to working on Phase 2 of the project in 2012."

Andrew Baker, one of Terrapin's project managers, revealed that Clive Neathey, Rosedale College's Head, had referred to the off site construction specialist as "the best contractors they've ever had."

Each classroom consists of suspended timber flooring, solid timber laminated beams and supporting timber roof joints, thermal insulation and warm roof decking. Mineral wool was used to provide additional sound insulation, while aluminium windows with integral security blinds were fitted to improve security.

The latest requirements of Approved Document L and Document M building regulations were met thanks to insulation to walls, the floor and the roof, and the low threshold entrance door, which provides access for disabled pupils and visitors.

Hillingdon Borough Council favoured Terrapin for the development thanks to the 'one stop shop' solution that Unitrex provides - a system that allows for bespoke construction solutions, minimum disruption and fast turnaround times.