Street Design Partnership were invited to join the McGoff & Byrne Ltd bid team for the project at St Mark’s School, Bredbury, Stockport. The project comprised a stand alone building within the existing primary school grounds and included external works to form new vehicular and pedestrian access and improvement works to existing play areas. The internal layout comprises a nursery unit (0-5 years), crèche, community facility and ancillary rooms.

The integrated Supply Team embarked upon a value engineering exercise, which focused on the irregular footprint and rationalised the steel structure, whilst adhering to the client’s brief for minimum room areas.

Upon establishment of the Integrated Supply Team (IST) comprising of consultants and specialist suppliers, consultations progressed with the appointed Approved Building Inspector to ensure compliance and SBEM approval. During the process the IST embarked upon a stakeholder consultation process with the client’s design architect and end user panel.

Excellent early collaboration dynamics developed, which continued throughout the project to completion. Responsibility to provide and achieve approval to planning conditions was shared between the client’s architects and Street Design Partnership.

The clients architect had incorporated a number of elements within his design that were not familiar to the Integrated Supply Team. A good example was the Kalwall System. This translucent wall glazing system required extensive co-ordination with the primary and secondary steel structure and build accuracy on site to ensure the prefabricated units fitted.

During the contract period Street Design Partnership were requested to attend regular review meetings with McGoff & Byrne Ltd, the client’s architect and the school. These were always proactive and further reinforced the collaborative approach demonstrated by all. Good communication with the existing school ensured the project was safely and successfully delivered within a sensitive and continuously evolving live environment.

The client’s brief was to ensure that the completed project achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’. Examples of how this was achieved included celestory windows, underfloor heating with individual room controls, BMS control, natural ventilation with remotely controlled window actuators. The brief also required a ‘Secured by Design’ Approval which was achieved after consultation with Greater Manchester Police.

This project provided a very positive impact within the community as the operation provides after hours activities, including activities for parents, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs.

The development has been well received by the wider community due to the plethora of additional amenities it provides, such as after schools clubs, holiday clubs and recreational facilities.