Surrey School update

Back in April 2021 we posted about our new school project based at an Edwardian mansion and extensive grounds in Surrey. The brief was to create a new medical centre at the rear of the main house, providing a new and modern facility whilst keeping the traditional nature of the existing building.

One noteworthy challenge to overcome has been the terrain – the site of the new medical centre is bounded by steep banks, requiring the involvement of geotechnical and bank stabilisation specialists before excavations could be completed.

The works commenced during the 2021 summer school break, when the existing single storey medical centre was demolished and the excavation of the steep banks around the site begun. During this period we also refurbished part of the existing school building.

During a more advanced stage of our design work, we were able to employ various 3D methods to detail the structural requirements for the new 3 storey centre. We have found this to be an excellent tool to describe relatively complex structural arrangements that can be easily read by anyone involved in the project, including the client.

In autumn 2021 the bank excavations had to be paused due to unsafe ground conditions, with a decision being reached that the works would be put on hold.

Our final package of working construction drawings has been handed over to the client and their new contractor, and we have been assisting with discharging conditions since planning permission was granted. The building works will recommence soon, and we look forward to bringing you a third update once the project is complete.