The Rivergate Centre is a vibrant and sustainable place that was to become the heart of a new community. The development, between Barking Town Centre and the River Thames was a key element of the wider regeneration of East London.

The building includes, a 3 form entry primary school, place of worship, community cafe, PCT offices, space for Metropolitan Police and shared reception area. The school contains many different teaching and play environments. Corridors are kept to a minimum; generous sized classrooms have been designed in clusters for year groups in each key stages and top lit break out spaces provided.

The place of worship, hall, IT suite and sports facilities can all be used when the rest of the school is locked.

The building has a concrete frame structure combined with high performance façades and partitions which make it robust and flexible. Intelligent, passive design solutions maximise natural daylight, views to the surroundings and ventilation.

This project was procured via a 2-stage design and build procurement route with the architect being novated to Neilcott upon appointment. Although the design was at the early development stage our initial cost assessment was that it was over budget. Neilcott therefore undertook an initial design appraisal in order to reduce the cost without affecting the overall appearance of the Centre, some specific initiatives included:

• Adoption of membrane free roof construction utilising caltite concrete
• Alternative ventilation systems eliminating underground ventilation structures and associated maintenance complications
• Utilising post tensioned in situ concrete slabs at first floor and roof levels in lieu of traditional reinforced concrete

Neilcott involved many of the local schools, colleges and the University of East London in the scheme, with site visits and work placements.