Flood precast products have proved to be an ideal match for high-tech educational facilities in a newly-finished project near Birmingham.
The Shelfield Community Academy building in Pelsall, West Midlands, which was officially opened by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex in October.
The building used approximately 8000 square metres of Flood Super Wideslab® and 10 precast concrete stair cores.
Exposed soffit and thermal mass
The design exploits the thermal mass effect of exposed soffit, a viable option by virtue of Flood Precast’s Class B finish, which can be painted directly. The precast floors act as a heat sink, absorbing excess energy from sources such as heating and sunlight when it is available, and releasing it back into the building as it cools. This results in both a more comfortable environment for staff and students, and a saving in energy costs; importantly for this high-tech facility, the surplus heat produced by electrical equipment such as computers is utilised to the building’s advantage.
Minimal disruption and continuity of education
The Academy was rebuilt in stages, over a period of two years, without interruption to the educational schedule; this was assisted by the shorter on-site construction time required by precast concrete. Disruption to the school and local residents was kept to a minimum by off-site construction, and by coordination of delivery and other arrangements. Flood Super Wideslab® was typically laid at a rate of 700 square metres per day.
A popular new building
The Academy incorporates the very latest in modern education technology, including over €2 million spent on ICT equipment. It is the first school in Britain to employ 3D technology. The building has been well received by staff and pupils. The Academy Principal, Bernard Dickenson, told a local newspaper; The youngsters have come in and gone wow, it is fantastic and they absolutely love it. It provides them with state-of-the-art facilities.”
Client: Shelfield Community Academy
Architect: Sheppard Robson
Engineer: WSP Consulting Engineers
Contractor: Kier Construction
For more information and additional images on this project, visit: Shelfield Community Academy in our Education Sector.
For more information on Flood Super Wideslab® contact our team at: info@floodprecast.ie.
delivered on time…working well with our on site team and other sub contractors…supervision is second to none…very regular visits…finished product is snag free.. quality regime..continuous monitoring of their works..very high quality of exposed concrete soffit for our client.
