Member Article

Actavo’s first BIM project delivered to primary school

Through an investment in building information modelling (BIM), Actavo | Building Solutions has delivered its first BIM level two project – a classroom complex – to Granard Primary School in the heart of London.

BIM is a process covering the entire lifecycle of a building from its conception to demolition resulting in a 3D digital model of its physical and functional characteristics.

Compliant with BIM level two requirements, Actavo designed and delivered the sustainable, two-storey block which comprises eight classrooms, an open learning studio which acts as a breakfast and after-school care facility, cloakrooms, WCs, kitchen facilities and staffrooms.

Onsite works at Granard began in January 2015, with the standalone, classroom complex being handed over in August 2015, meaning the project – from initial design to full completion – took just 22 weeks.

Matthew Goff, UK operations director at Actavo | Building Solutions, says: “By July last year (2015), BIM level two was implemented in Actavo to not only provide a smoother construction process, but also to reduce costs and waste by identifying potential issues before they arise.

“Using BIM, the leadership team at Granard Primary School was able to see their ideas visualised into a realistic building model with an accurate timeline before onsite work started.

“There is a definite ‘need for speed’ within the education sector which has been fuelled by a sharp rise in demand for school places in the capital. Offsite construction means projects such as Granard Primary School can be completed in a much faster timeframe than traditional builds. It also ensures minimal disruption to day-to-day schooling activities.”

As well as meeting BIM level two requirements, Granard’s new building is designed to surpass sustainability targets. It passes BREEAM ‘excellent’ standards – one of the world’s most comprehensive and widely-recognised measures of a building’s environmental performance.

Cheryl Grigg, headteacher at Granard Primary School, says: “Many schools are looking for economical ways to accommodate pupils. It was clear to us that we’d prefer an offsite solution, because it’s just as high quality as traditional build, but delivered in a much shorter time-frame without a price premium.

“Using Actavo’s regular step-by-step progress reports, we were able to use the construction process as part of a special project on the pupils’ curriculum. As well as providing additional space, the new building allows us to separate our pupils into smaller groups meaning we can teach them more effectively and they can make better progress.”

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.

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