This project comprised the transformation of an uninsulated shell warehouse to a school classroom building. Although technically a refurbishment of an existing shell, the scope of works included significant new building elements including new drainage, utilities, new internal layout and spaces, new openings for doors and windows and complete upgrades to the existing shell.

The works were delivered under the NHS SBS Framework, with Conamar introducing the client following a previous relationship, and securing the works under a direct award arrangement.

“The cow shed” – was a warehouse type building used for apprenticeship training for construction skills. We created a complete reconfiguration to create a space with 10 classrooms and various ancillary spaces including back of house office rooms, vocational learning spaces, inclusion rooms, and W/Cs throughout.

The building now features LED lighting throughout and heat recovery units to provide a low energy system.

The client had a very tight programme to achieve, which was achieved by using our in house architectural technician to complete designs alongside cost development, as we developed the scheme from feasibility to completion.

One of the biggest risks we encountered on this scheme was the difficulty of coordinating the M&E services (smoke detection etc) into the high roof void – installing plant at 9m in the air whilst closing ceilings, etc. We overcame the risk by early liaison with the M&E subcontractors to develop this design and programme in the works, ensuring sufficient time for commissioning and testing prior to completion.