Benefits of offsite construction for schools

Meeting the Needs of Today’s Schools.

Managing Director of off-site construction specialist Terrapin, looks at how the company is pioneering an innovative approach that meets the challenges of modern schools. “Temporary buildings are widely recognised in the education sector and this is largely where off-site construction started. In the 1950s, we developed a complete unit that was manufactured off-site and became the classroom of choice for schools. These buildings are still widely in use some 50 years later. Back then, these ’portable classrooms’ were chosen as they met the challenges of the rapidly growing population in the baby boom years. Now, schools are facing no less of a challenge. With initiatives like Building Schools for the Future, that aim to improve school buildings and enable pupils to learn in 21st century facilities, the off-site industry has responded accordingly. Often when we start talking to schools and local authorities about delivering an off-site solution, they think back to the portable classrooms of the 1950s and 60s. However, things have moved on greatly and innovative off-site construction methods now mean that schools can benefit from aesthetically pleasing, high performance temporary and permanent buildings that meet all current requirements.”

“Schools lie at the heart of the community, which means they are often located in built-up residential areas, where long term construction work could cause a nuisance to local residents. Similarly, because of where they are located, access is often difficult and normally restricted. Added to this are the tight deadlines which are imposed due to the need for construction works to be carried out mainly during the school holidays, in order to minimise disruption and prevent health and safety issues on site. Six weeks during the Summer is a small window of opportunity in the construction world – and even shorter if you are looking at Christmas, Easter or half term breaks. Being able to create a weathertight seal, often in days, means that even during a two-week half term, the building can be in place with work progressing in the internals – and minimal disruption to the day-to-day activities of the school.”

“The beauty of many off-site buildings is that they have developed tremendously in terms of visual appeal, and it is often impossible to distinguish them from a traditionally constructed building. Where access is severely restricted, flat pack systems like Unitrex are becoming popular, as they combine the benefits of off-site construction, but can meet the often tight site access restrictions. With these ‘flat-pack’ systems, the ground floor units and panels are produced in our factory, helping to provide all the benefits of off-site construction. The units are then delivered to site and the panels are fixed onto the framework, which creates a weathertight seal within a fraction of the time of carrying out construction in the traditional way. Systems like Unitrex also provide schools with flexibility, as it means we can supply to any span sizes, particularly the larger spans that are often required for schools, for example in the main hall or sports hall. The way Unitrex is designed means it eliminates the need for internal supporting walls, as it allows two or more modules to be supported on ‘goalpost’ beams. As well as creating the large open format, reducing the number of internal supporting walls helps to make significant savings on foundations. With schools targeted to reduce their carbon footprint, too, this method of construction fits with this perfectly, as it means fewer deliveries to site and a reduction in the type of traditional masonry-based materials that tend to have a high level of embodied energy.”

“Often on this type of project, it is important 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, both conjoined buildings can be matched by re-rendering making the new classrooms indistinguishable from, for example, the traditional built main structure. Another important benefit of off-site construction is the quality controlled environment within the factory, which ensures that all performance requirements, such as energy efficiency and air tightness are met.”

“A flexible approach is essential when working to meet the requirements of schools. Having an appreciation and understanding of the parameters you are working within is also vitally important. It is simply not acceptable for work to run over time, as schools have tight deadlines and pupils to accommodate for study work and exam schedules. At all times, it involves a partnership approach. The fact that many schools, even those without restricted access, are looking at off-site methods, demonstrates how this method of construction is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for new school buildings, in terms of meeting the aesthetic, performance and sustainability requirements.”