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Freedom House

Bath

The design and construction of a new auditorium for Freedom Church.

Project

Built in the back garden of the existing headquarters, the new venue will be the home of Sunday Service and act as a flexible space for meetings and projects allowing the church to grow.

The project was the subject of a complex planning approval process within the Bath conservation area and Beard were instrumental in the discharge of outstanding conditions. Beard worked closely with the church to achieve savings and make the scheme affordable.

The team were great, very proactive and communicated well with us. We were very impressed with how hard the team at Beard worked. We would be keen to work with Beard on future projects.
Betsy de Thierry
Senior Pastor, Freedom Bath & Bristol

The extensive external works include raising of levels, block paving and copper cladding to the exterior of the building. Internal mechanical and electrical works were installed with a sliding partition for a viewing gallery from the mezzanine floor.

Key Facts

  • A time capsule was buried within the substructure
  • Bibles were laid within the foundations
  • Regular site visits were accommodated for the children and for the congregation after Sunday Service
  • The Beard team were embedded in the Church activities and attended a number of services

Fact File

£2.2 million Contract Value 36 weeks Contract Duration
Customer Freedom Bath & Bristol
Architect SRA Architects
Quantity Surveyor Edmond Shipway
Form of Contract JCT Design and Build

Challenges

The scheme had budgetary issues from the outset and Beard worked closely with the supply chain and incumbent design team to make the scheme affordable.

The solutions adopted included:

  • The substitution of the copper cladding in a cassette form for a more efficient standing-seam version
  • The use of air-sock ventilation in the main auditorium which proved more cost effective
A KPI score of 100 out of 100 was attained.

Solutions

Although the project was hindered by a long and protracted planning process, the collaboration of the project team with BANES planning department ensured the re-engineered scheme was acceptable and permission granted without any further delay to the project.

The project had several site constraints that needed to be overcome:

  • The close proximity to the River Avon led to temporary flood defences having to be installed and an amount of de-watering was needed so that the substructure could be constructed
  • The 80ft crane needed to erect the structural steel frame was the subject of meticulous planning with only inches of clearance on the site approach road

It was of paramount importance that there was regular engagement between the construction team and the children who attend the centre.

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