Member Article

3D digital model solves pupil places shortage

Roan Building Solutions has invested in BIM (building information modelling) to deliver a £1.9m classroom complex to a primary school in the heart of London as the capital looks to accommodate its increasing number of pupils.

The new facility at Granard Primary School is Roan’s first BIM project – a process covering the entire life cycle of a building from conception to demolition in a 3D digital model of its physical and functional characteristics. Designed to meet BIM level two requirements, Roan is designing and delivering a sustainable, two-storey, standalone, classroom complex comprising of seven classrooms, open learning studios, cloakrooms, WCs, kitchen facilities and staffrooms.

On site piling at the school began in January 2015 with a guaranteed delivery date of mid-June, meaning a timescale from initial design to full completion will take just 22 weeks.

Matthew Goff, sales director at Roan Building Solutions, says: “By July 2015, BIM will be fully implemented within Roan to not only provide a smoother construction process but also to reduce costs and waste by identifying potential issues before they arise.

“3D animation allowed Granard Primary School to see their ideas formed into a realistic fly through of their building before construction starts on site and to see how it would add to the school’s existing landscape.”

Designed to surpass all sustainability targets and to meet BREEAM ‘excellent’ standards, Granard’s new building will include mono-crystalline PV panels to reduce energy costs, wind catchers to increase ventilation and sun pipes to use more natural light.

“With schools up and down the country looking for economical ways to accommodate their pupil numbers, it was clear to us we’d prefer an offsite solution because it’s just as high quality as traditional build but delivered much faster,” says Cheryl Grigg, headteacher at Granard Primary School.

“Through the 3D animation, we were able to see how the new building will be integrated into the current school environment.

“Using Roan’s regular step-by-step progress reports, the construction process will form a special project on the pupils’ curriculum and, once complete, the new build will provide high quality learning space.”

Wandsworth Borough Council has invested £10m into permanently expanding 11 primary schools across the borough with Granard Primary School being just one of the schools benefiting from a new education facility.

Matthew continues: “There is always the need for a speedy construction method which causes minimal disruption to everyday schooling activities and because of this, modular build is becoming increasingly favoured in education.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Roan Building Solutions .