Parkhall Integrated College

Education Authority

Client: Education Authority

Completion: November 2018

Value: £17m

Project Summary

The future of integrated education in N. Ireland is exemplified by this outstanding new 11,700m2 college which caters for the needs of 760 pupils. This exciting new school had extremely complex constraints as it was delivered on a “live” site shared with both Antrim Grammar and Steeple Nursery School. We devised and led a 5 phased delivery plan and used sectional completion to contractually oblige the Contractor to meet a very ambitious programme whilst the 2 existing schools remained operational.

Our works information also stipulated that no works were to be conducted during exam times, and that traffic management had to allow for access for the various summer camps that took place during the summer months. Client requested changes to the design were not uncommon during design and construction. A change control process was implemented by McAdams PM to provide clarity to the design team as to the reasoning for the change and to also record the change status including client approvals

The completed scheme provides the full range of teaching and sports facilities expected from a modern 2nd level College and it has been extremely well received by the Educational Authority, School Staff, Pupils and Parents

Benefits

Designed & procured with the focus firmly on added value our strategies included:

  • Optimising the “school in the community” ensured the Sports Hall and Gym can be securely accessed outside school hours as can the changing rooms and sports pitches
  • Projecting an inclusive and safe environment welcoming all children of differing abilities
  • Strategically locating the building and setting site levels to resolve problems identified from an existing flood plain. Extensive 3D modelling indicated how this was mitigated
  • Integrating affordable and effective energy efficient strategies. We achieved this by incorporating mixed mode ventilation with heat recovery, the use of renewable energies (solar thermal), high levels of insulation and air tightness, high efficiency gas boilers, low E glazing and low energy lighting systems and water recycling

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