23 August 2013
Yorkon Increases School Capacity with Off-site Construction
A new two-storey teaching block for an expanding Leicestershire school completed by off-site construction specialist, Yorkon, a member of the Portakabin Group, has been described as an 'iconic building'.
One of the highest-performing state schools in Leicestershire, Martin High School in Anstey, is expanding from a middle school for 11-14 year olds to a secondary school, catering for 11-16 year olds. A new building was then needed to accommodate 50 per cent more pupils over the next two years.
The new facility provides eight classrooms and 12 toilets. The Yorkon pre-installed high performance concrete floor has been used to deliver superior acoustics and a robust finish for a demanding secondary school environment. Full height curtain walling to the entrance has created an impressive exterior and a combination of spandrel panels between floors, brickwork and cedar cladding give the scheme a distinctive and contemporary appearance.
Off-site construction allowed the building to be delivered with much less disruption than a site-based solution and the modules were installed over a weekend.
Martin High School's Business Manager, Sue Plunkett, said, "There were a number of benefits to working with Yorkon, including the speed of construction and low level of disruption to a busy school environment. The finished building feels more like a traditional construction rather than a facility built off site and we would be very happy to work with Yorkon again in the future."
"This was a new venture for the school and we have been very pleased with both the finished result and the construction process. The building is designed to make the most of the fantastic views from the windows of the nearby beauty spot, Bradgate Park. The design of the cladding blends in well with the countryside and we have created a truly iconic building for the school."
Yorkon has an extensive track record in the primary and secondary education sectors, having completed a wide variety of bespoke modular projects including self-contained teaching buildings, classroom extensions and complete schools, delivering all the speed, quality, sustainability and efficiency benefits of off-site construction.
Following completion of this project on time and on budget, Yorkon has since been awarded its fourth academy project in the Midlands - a two-storey sixth form centre at Woodbrook Vale High School in Loughborough.
For further information about Yorkon off-site building solutions for schools and academies, call 0845 2000 123, email info@yorkon.com or visit www.yorkon.info.
Editor's Notes
1. The advantages of off-site construction include:
- Programme times reduced by up to 50 per cent for earlier handover and occupation, with a positive impact on education and to help schools and LEAs address place planning issues
- Reduced disruption to teaching with safer, quieter and cleaner construction
- Purpose-designed teaching accommodation that can be located in completely enclosed courtyards or on the roofs of existing school buildings
- Buildings can be easily extended vertically or horizontally and expanded without decanting
- A robust pre-installed concrete floor option for enhanced performance for high traffic areas and reduced sound transmission
- Material wastage reduced by up to 90 per cent
- Up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site
- Improved quality and reduced future maintenance
- A high level of design flexibility internally and externally
- Improved thermal efficiency for lower running costs and reduced carbon emissions
- Greater assurance of delivery on time and on budget.
2. Yorkon and Portakabin Group are registered trademarks.
