As 2014 Draws To A Close

Today’s post comes from Bernie Fuller, Senior Project Manager.

Well as we come to the end of another year, it is nice to report another successfully completed project with the added bonuses of being both ahead of programme and under budget.

The project was a strip out of a Victorian school building that had an extension added in the 1940’s followed by good old asbestos added sometime in the late 60s or early 70’s.

Thankfully the Contractor understood the brief perfectly and working as a team we were able to ensure the works completed ahead of programme and under budget.

The works, in addition to the asbestos removal required all the M & E to be removed, plus all floor coverings and a number of structural walls. This allowed the refurbishment and room restructuring for a Professional Development Centre and a Special Educational Needs school facility.

Looking at the beautiful exposed timbers and brickwork from that era made me wonder how contractors of the future are going to be able to refurbish modern buildings. The materials simply do not have a life span that will match what was used years ago.

The architects had a big challenge ensuring the building was kept true to its history whilst being able to handle the requirements of an SEN environment and the specialist needs of the children and staff who will use it. This has been achieved but changing an old Victorian building and upgrading it to take on this new role has not been without challenge.

Here’s to the full refurbishment being completed in 2015!