The project involved the design and construction of a new two storey teaching block, new three court sports hall and new car park with associated external works to expand the school by two forms of entry.

Neilcott were appointed at RIBA Stage 3 with planning consent in place. Design development therefore primarily required selection of materials and the production of cost effective construction details whilst remaining faithful to the design concept, maintaining the project’s quality and minimising the long term maintenance burden.

The new building comprised of a steel framed structure constructed off a mass concrete foundation. The upper floor was constructed from PCC hollowcore planks and the flat roofs were of lightweight construction. Teaching block elevations were traditional masonry built against lightweight SFS infill with the sports hall clad in GeBrick and PPC aluminium above a ground floor masonry podium.

In order to respond to the project’s programme challenges the GeBrik insulated cladding system was adopted in lieu of traditional masonry. In addition to being quick to install, thereby creating an early weathertight environment for fitting out, installation is less weather sensitive, further reducing programme risk. The system’s insulating properties also upgraded the building’s thermal performance, reducing energy consumption

Effective ventilation was key to maintaining an internal environment conducive to the teaching and learning. Working in conjunction with specialists from Breathing Buildings a naturally ventilated solution was developed, minimising energy consumption.

Neilcott instigated a detailed site energy audit which identified potential spare capacity which when combined with a low energy approaches to services provision outlined above, eliminated the requirement for new incoming services, reducing cost, risk and programme time. As part of the design development process Neilcott identified an innovative approach to solve a lack of sports hall storage. The design was adapted to enclose an adjoining former plant room which enabled the release of the allocated plant room space for sports storage.

“The contractor exceeded expectations on interpretation of requirements and design delivery. The building is a high class product, with excellent attention to detail in finishes. Programme was delivered well within cost and before programme end date.”      Danuta Longworth-Krafft – Capital Projects Officer, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead