Maiden Erlegh School
Design and Construction of a New SEN Unit at Maiden Erlegh School
Sector: Education
Client: Maiden Erlegh Trust
Value range: £500k – £1m
This project involved the design and construction of a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit at Maiden Erlegh School. The initiative refurbishment a former community centre into a state-of-the-art facility.” To “This project involved the design and construction of a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit at Maiden Erlegh School. The project involved the refurbishment of a former community centre into a state of the art facility.
Scope of work
Initial Design and Planning:
- Led by our in-house architect, Deborah Wakley, the project spanned from concept design to completion.
- The rapid turnaround was essential due to the hand-over of tenancy in April and the increased pupil intake for the new academic year.
- The project began with gutting the existing dilapidated community centre located in the heart of the secondary school.
Design and Construction:
- The final design closely mirrored the original concept provided by the School to closely mirrors the original concept for the School.
- Collaborated with the school to meet regulatory targets of Building Regulations and Building Bulletins, ensuring enhanced learning spaces and a sense of community for staff and students.
- The design included:
- Five main classrooms, each with storage, grouped into Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 areas, each with sensory rooms.
- Staff workrooms, SEN head office, smaller group teaching spaces, and therapy rooms.
- A central communal space, providing a safe, tranquil area flooded with natural light from roof lights. This space includes seating for dining, communal activities, a small library area, and storage for equipment trolleys.
- Study booths with lowered ceilings and individual lighting for independent learning, highlighted with bright pops of colour.
Construction Challenges:
- During on-site work, it was discovered that 90% of the external walls were unsafe, necessitating a complete re-build of the external walls whilst the roof was supported on steel columns.
- Despite this setback, the team adapted designs to stay within budget.
Thermal and Acoustic Design:
- High levels of thermal insulation and acoustic attenuation were integrated to create an optimal environment.
- Sensory rooms were acoustically insulated and positioned for quietness and separation.
- Existing roof coverings and insulation were replaced, and new systems were installed on the structural decking, focusing on eliminating thermal bridging.
- External walls were insulated both internally and externally with stone wool insulation to maintain temperature and reduce noise.
Structural Considerations:
- The existing concrete ground bearing floor slab, part of a CLASP system from the 1950s/60s, was retained for its sound and solid structure.
- Perimeter insulation was added to minimize heat loss and eliminate condensation risks.
Vapour Control and Air Tightness:
- The introduction of a vapour control layer ensured air tightness and enhanced thermal efficiency by limiting air leakage.
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems were installed, linked to CO2 sensors to adjust ventilation based on occupancy levels.
The project was completed on time and within budget, exceeding client expectations. The new SEN unit provides an environment where staff and children have thrived, thanks to carefully designed and constructed spaces tailored to their needs.