The Project
We were appointed as Employer’s Agent to assist the school in achieving their goal of providing a new modern, purpose built Exam Hall. The client brief set out the rooms and their occupancy for which the new building would be required to accommodate. The brief further detailed the principle and ancillary purposes for the building. The project was tendered via a single stage competitive tender. The preferred contractor was then engaged through a Pre-Construction Service Agreement to further develop the design. The construction contract was let via a JCT Design and Build contract based on the developed design. The project value was circa £778k with an internal area of 1,200m2 and was constructed over a 40-week programme, completing in September 2020.
Our Role
We were required to identify suitable locations within the existing school grounds, liaise with the planners, produce an outline design suitable for the occupancy and usage requirements of the school. We then produced the employers requirements, room datasheets and a performance specification (which were approved by the client) and tendered the works.
Following tender returns, we undertook a detailed tender analysis and drafted a Pre-Construction Service Agreement. This allowed the preferred contractor and their design team to produce the detailed design. Proceeding this way ensured enabling works could commence whilst the detailed design process was ongoing. This provided a direct and progressive route to the construction phase, whilst ensuring the delivery programme was further developed to meet the project budget and client requirements.
During the construction phase of the works, we acted in the role of Employers Agent. This entailed chairing design team and progress meetings, undertaking valuations, instructing variations, certifying the works practically complete and ensuring snagging items were closed out.
Key Outcomes
- Provision of a new high quality Exam Hall designed for a specific purpose.
- A modern flexible layout, making use of natural light without distraction and a comfortable environment to facilitate and improve concentration.
- The building is energy efficient with heating, cooling and ventilation provision which are all reactive, quiet and adjustable to suit occupancy numbers and environmental conditions.
- The building design provides a simple façade and low pitched roof which is in-keeping with the environment and is in harmony within its setting. It’s located within the existing site boundary.
- The main exam hall is able to accommodate entire year groups, but with the flexibility to be sub-divided into smaller focussed areas. It is well positioned for access and is fully inclusive for all pupils and user groups.
