GML Construction, part of the GML Group, has completed a bespoke timber and steel-framed building project for Frittenden Primary School in Kent, within the tight boundaries of a site within a conservation area. The build, worth £890,000 was completed in 28 weeks and handed over to Kent County Council in June this year.
Following a competitive tendering process, GML Construction was chosen for its innovative design and material proposals. The timber frame construction ensured the project would meet the conservation and budgetary criteria. It was also important that the new and existing school had very similar appearances. As well as meeting the overall brief, GML Construction was selected on the basis that it was the most cost effective to deliver the project.
As part of the project, GML Construction had to make provisions to relocate an existing bat habitat, which had to be monitored throughout the build. In addition, the new roof design has specially design apertures for the bats to come back and nest once now the works have been completed.
The aim of the build was to provide Frittenden Primary School with additional classrooms, new IT facility, kitchen, toilets and a new bespoke school hall for assemblies and physical education classes. The school had previously relied on using its Victorian head teacher’s house and WW2 air raid shelters for teaching space.
The existing building was a standard masonry brick and block structure and an original part of the new design saw GML Construction engineer and integrate modern construction techniques. Features of the build includes an impressive atrium glass roof, a new lift in a glass shaft to meet DDA regulations, integrated under floor heating, special acoustic boarding in the main hall and a computer controlled environmental system.
Trevor Barnes, Contracts Director of GML Construction comments, “We are
thrilled to have completed the contract at Frittenden Primary School for Kent County Council. We worked hard to design a project that not only met the criteria, but which also complimented the existing building infrastructure and its aesthetics. One major challenge we faced was to ensure the build caused minimal disruption to the running of the existing school which was adjacent to the construction activity. We’re experienced at working around different on-site challenges and we’re delighted to have succeeded in this instance.
Elizabeth Bradshaw, headteacher, Frittenden Primary School, said, “Over a short time frame, GML Construction has transformed the facilities at the school. We now have more space for the children and vastly improved facilities, whilst causing as minimal disruption to the colony of bats that nest here. The project has been seamlessly added to the existing structure, which itself has been improved with a new timber frame.
“The team at GML Construction were efficient and great to work with over the duration of the project. We were really impressed with the level of communication and quality of the build throughout.”
