Think modular

The modular industry is able to produce buildings that provide a much-needed service within the education sector, which is going through a challenging‑enough period with wavering budgets and unpredictable population changes.

Modular construction is an ideal solution for many education authorities and meets any criteria set by clients of the Modular & Portable Building Association (MPBA), particularly when looking at replacing, extending or adding to an existing school, college, university or nursery facility.

Design flexibility
Buildings that are supplied today no longer have to look like “boxes”, with current examples making it difficult to tell them apart from traditional developments. Design flexibility is central and this building style is perfect for the expansion or reduction of a school site.

With the experience and knowledge offered by MPBA and its members, clients are confident of receiving modern, comfortable and functional facilities according to individual unique specifications, needs and budget restraints. Layout and design services are available from suppliers, including expert advice on planning issues, building regulations and safety requirements. Fast installation and minimum disruption is also a benefit. Dependent on requirements, portable or temporary accommodation units are available, too.

This industry sector has embraced the demand for energy efficiency and it E
F continually meets the requirements of new regulations. The strengths and benefits of modular building can be quantified in these terms: sustainable solutions, embodied energy, reduction of waste and reduced carbon omissions.

Codes of conduct
The Modular & Portable Building Association is an association for the promotion and marketing of its members and associate members’ products and services, with definitive aims, objectives and codes of conduct. Members are able to supply, for either purchase or hire, new manufactured modular and portable buildings, and quality pre-owned modular and portable buildings. Members of MPBA work in partnership with customers to develop a design that suits their needs.

Accommodation facility
Work was carried out at Aberystwyth University in Wales and an accommodation facility was installed between July and October 2011. As the university has residents in its halls all year round, the installation and completion of the building was undertaken whilst students were on campus. A three‑storey building was completed, comprising of 60 bedrooms with study areas and bespoke shower pods, fully‑equipped double kitchens, communal meeting areas, fully equipped laundry rooms and a self-contained plant room.

Thurston Building Systems designed, manufactured and installed a 12-bay SureSpan children’s centre at Tang Hall Primary School in York. The centre is complete with kitchen and toilet facilities, treatment areas and a large nursery space. Externally, the building is brick clad and features a pitched roof. Internally, the décor was finished to be bright and colourful for the children. As Thurston offers a wide range of design solutions, it was able to work with Tang Hall to ensure exact specifications were met, in both the layout and the building’s finish. The building qualifies under the BBA specification as a high-quality structure.

North Yorkshire County Council’s Pete Dwyer said: “At the time of its opening, the former school was seen as ultra modern in its open design; giving children lots of sunshine and fresh air.’’ Local media commented that it was “a sunshine school for York”.

A school for Roundhay, Bracken Hedge and Wykebeck in Leeds is a further example of what the industry can do direct, providing a full turnkey package that will include perimeter fencing, tree protection and all groundwork’s on site. Three modular buildings will be built to provide accommodation to the Roundhay, Bracken Edge and Wykebeck area, comprising of a total of 106 steel-framed modules. These will be manufactured off-site in a controlled factory environment at Premier Interlinks modern facilities in East Yorkshire, and will be delivered by road to be craned into position ready for the final stages of fitting-out on-site.

Demand for school places
The Wykebeck and Bracken Edge school buildings will comprise of single storey extensions to the existing schools providing additional classrooms to meet demand for places. The Roundhay school project is the largest of the three and the end result will alter the age range of the school, expanding the school’s technology and language college. This will make it Leeds City Council’s first two-form entry school that provides education from the start to the end of a pupil’s school career. Design features on the two-storey modular building will show an external finish of a mixture of render, brick slip and timber cladding and include a vaulted ceiling, designed to provide ventilation and light, and resulting in excellent cross-ventilation throughout the school.

Save time and money
When planning for your required building, speak with the industry direct to save time and money by cutting out the middle men. Then you can be confident of dealing with an industry that is represented by its own trade body.

Further information
Tel: 0870 241 7687
www.mpba.biz