Streif UK - Skinners Kent Primary School
Project Details
Project - Skinners Kent Primary School
Main Contractor - Baxall Construction
Client - Kent County Council
Supplier - Streif UK
Project Overview
As preferred construction partners, STREIF have successfully delivered the exceptional Skinners' Kent Primary School at the new Knights Wood development, Tunbridge Wells. Constructed on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC), this new off-site timber sustainable school development hosts a 2-storey state-of-the-art teaching facility and outdoor space with scope for development at a later date to accommodate increased student numbers.
Following in the footprint of STREIF's recent design and build education projects, the school is another innovative and sustainable 'modern methods of construction' exemplar which has demonstrated programme and sustainability efficiencies both in the short and long term. Prior to this development, STREIF have successfully designed and delivered 7 schools across Sussex using timber off-site manufacture, culminating in extensive programme and sustainability benefits; indeed, our project at Hankham Primary School achieved the NFB New Build of the Year Award 2015 and Commitment to the Environment & Sustainability Award 2015.
With budget and time limitations in the early stages, STREIF worked with the client to offer a value engineered solution using 'modern methods of construction' which specifically encompassed an off-site timber fabricated approach as opposed to a traditional build on site. The thinking behind this tried and tested approach was to achieve a high quality, sustainable and energy-efficient building within budget and programme with reduced impact of the construction process on the local environment and Tunbridge Wells community.
The very nature of STREIF's timber off-site design and manufacture solution within a stringent factory-controlled environment means that production and assembly were rigidly controlled leading to improved air tightness and thermal performance. This, coupled with further sustainable design features such as photovoltaic panels have created an energy efficient building which will generate whole life cost savings for the school.
The project was designed and delivered using BIM (Building Information Modelling). BIM is a modern day collaborative approach to project delivery where STREIF engaged with the complete team, working together to develop and deliver a full design and works programme in conjunction with input from the client.
A matter of weeks later, a Pre-Handover Tour of the new building was hosted to a very impressed audience comprising KCC, Skinners, the project team and pupils, all of whom were delighted with the new school.
