The customer’s brief was to decommision the existing art studios and classrooms and construct a new auditorium, larger art studios and an atrium, right in the heart of the school. The scheme also involved refurbishing the Sixth form social spaces and a new entrance and exhibition area.
The existing brick-clad two-storey structure was stripped back to a bare frame and then extended both vertically and horizontally to create the new cantilevered theatre. The surrounding school spaces remained in use throughout the build process, ultimately being remodelled to provide a public reception area and back of house space to serve the theatre.
The art rooms on the ground floor were completely remodelled to provide open, light-filled spaces with a fully glazed view of the school’s open space.
Beard collaborated extensively with the design team, offering extensive value-engineering and access to specialist subcontractors. This included reconfiguration of the high-level ductwork in the theatre which optimised sight-lines and created space for the acoustic deflectors.
Right from the start we all all knew what a very tricky job it was likely to be. I cannot praise you and your team enough. The quality is excellent and I think the school have a great building in no small part down to the contractor as evidenced by great finishes and a limited snagging exercise
Beard was able to save the client £90,000 from the original cost plan by redesigning the approach to weatherproofing
Vertical and horizontal extension of the existing building
435m2 additional floor space created housing a multi-function auditorium and exhibition area
Post project start the client asked for the programme to be adjusted to open the art room 3 months earlier than planned - this was achieved and an art exhibition set up in the unfinished building to accommodate the client’s wishes
Two stage Design and Build project
A good and solid service delivery, very attuned to the requirements of the school