Kier has handed over Ebbsfleet Green Primary to Kent County Council, this
project entailed the design and construction of a new modular build two form of
entry school in in Ebbsfleet Garden City, the modern village development
providing 15,000 new homes in Kent.
Procured through SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading procurement authorities, the
new school offers a wide variety of learning spaces including nursery,
reception, infant and junior classrooms, food technology, science and design
technology areas.
A modular construction solution was selected to meet the tight project
timeline. Modular construction involves the offsite production of modules
(building components) in a factory setting, which is then transported to site
and lifted in place with a tower crane to create the building.
Following this modular solution saved 8-10 weeks in comparison to a
traditional construction programme. 98 modular units, were installed over four
one-week phases, lifted in using a 300 tonne mobile crane.
In line with Kier’s Building for a Sustainable World sustainability
framework, the new building’s form was designed to maximise natural light
and ventilation, reducing the risk of overheating and resulting in a BREEAM
very good rating. Materials were responsibly sourced and enhancements to the
site’s ecology and long-term biodiversity goals were designed and implemented
throughout. Local employment was promoted with 27% of the team living within 10
miles of the site (55% within 20 miles) and the project created three
apprenticeships and two work experience placements.
David McKenzie, managing director for Kier Construction London, South and
Strategic Projects said: “We are delighted to hand this fantastic educational
facility over to Kent County Council, it has been a pleasure to work in
collaboration with them and Maritime Academy Trust in providing these modern
learning spaces to benefit teachers and students in Ebbsfleet Garden City’s
expanding community.
“We are proud to be a SCAPE delivery partner since 2011, and in line with
our recent appointment to SCAPE Construction, we look forward to working in
partnership with various councils and trusts to provide value for money
solutions in meeting the growing demand for additional school places and
upgraded educational facilities.”
Emily Stapley, Senior Project Manager (Education) Infrastructure Division,
Strategic and Corporate Services, Kent County Council said: “The building is a
fantastic asset to the development, both in its aesthetics but also the
facilities it will provide. Senior Site Manager, Lee Tucker and Quantity
Surveyor, Matthew Collins have excelled in both delivering the project on site
and keeping Kent County Council informed on all commercial matters throughout
the life of the project. We look forward to working with Kier on the next
project.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE said, “Ensuring that our
education facilities provide an engaging learning environment is vital for our
next generation to thrive and to attract the very best teaching staff. Kier has
delivered the future proof Ebbsfleet Green Primary for Kent County Council in
collaboration with Maritime Academy Trust that will give the community of
Ebbsfleet Garden City much needed school places. At SCAPE, we are proud that
the project is built with sustainability at its heart and that this will help
educate students from a young age about the benefits of energy efficient building
whilst significantly reducing the school’s carbon footprint and running costs.”
Over the last decade, Kier has delivered over 1,300 projects through SCAPE
Construction a direct award framework, designed to drive collaboration,
efficiency, time and cost savings ranging from £50,000 to £4m in value,
including Bicester Eco Business Centre, the design and construction of the
first UK highly sustainable Passivhaus ‘Plus’ 1,400m2 office building. In Kent
specifically they have delivered various modular Scape projects including
Springhead Park Primary School, a two-form of entry school in Ebbsfleet, St
George’s C of E School a mixed secondary school and sixth form in Gravesend and
Trinity School, a co-education secondary school and sixth form in Sevenoaks.
