Modular building expert Portakabin has developed an exciting new product as part of its full turnkey school solution – a modular hall suitable for events, sports and assemblies.
Portakabin, the UK’s market leading modular construction specialist has developed an advanced product to enhance its ever evolving educational offer. Now schools, colleges and universities can benefit from a modular double height space – considerably reducing time onsite and any disruption to students. Traditionally built structures can take up to 14 weeks to deliver halls that provide 150-200m2 floor area whereas the modular solution from Portakabin is installed within six weeks.
The space from Portakabin is designed to work in line with the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) requirement for primary school halls (180m² and ceilings of at least 4.5m in height) and it far exceeds this. The hall is also fully compliant on acoustics, lighting and floor finishes and can be designed to order, fitted with any additional fixtures such as fitness or AV equipment.
Emily King, Education Specialist for Portakabin says: “We are reworking traditionally held perceptions about what can be achieved using modular construction. In the past year, we’ve designed, engineered and built a double-height modular space which can be installed within six weeks. It’s our first ever complete school building constructed entirely offsite. This type of innovation brings valuable timesaving benefits, specifically to schools, colleges and universities, who often have an urgent demand for space within increasingly tight timeframes.
“Culverstone Green is a great example of how we can provide twenty-first century learning environments. We are always looking at ways to provide innovative solutions and engineer better buildings. This modular space shows how we are continuing to challenge traditional perceptions of volumetric modular construction and drive our capability forward. Schools are at the very heart of every community. Improving learning spaces with smart construction provides better environments for children to learn. We want to ensure that standards continue to improve.”
Ruth Doughty, Head Teacher at Culverstone Green Primary School added: “Our new school building has been transformative: moving from our treasured yet small old building into a large, light airy space has been a wonderful experience. We have larger and more pleasant spaces to work in, we can move around the building with ease, there are more learning areas for small focus groups to use and the sports hall ensures that the children can enjoy PE with plenty of room to move around. We have already hosted two sporting events and parents and guests have had opportunities to visit and see for themselves this excellent new facility.”
Nick Griffin, General Manager for Sales at Portakabin comments: “We are always looking at ways to transform our products, provide innovative solutions and engineer better buildings. This double height modular space shows how we are continuing to challenge traditional perceptions of volumetric modular construction and drive our capability forward.”
The next school to benefit from the double-height modular space will be Priory Fields Primary School in Dover, the last school in the Phase 1 batch of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP). Further developments are being made to potentially produce lecture theatres and multi-purpose space. The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has recently completed the assessment of the structural design methodology for the modular hall system, which has now been awarded SCI Assessed status.
For more information visit: www.portakabin.co.uk
To view this article in Offsite Magazine, visit: Offsite Magazine Issue 12
