Project Details

Customer:                   Duchy of Cornwall

Value:                         £7.5m

Duration:                     76 weeks

Completion Date:       September 2019

Contract Type:            JCT Design & Build 2016

Procurement Type:     Design + Build

GIFA:                          1800m2

 

Achievements

• Winner - Education category, RICS Social Impact Awards 2020
• Shortlisted - Education category, National RICS Social Impact Awards 2020
• Shortlisted - Education Project of the Year, Michelmores Property Awards 2020
• CCS Score 44/50

 

Project Summary

Midas constructed this two-storey, 2FE, 420 pupil primary school on a greenfield site in Newquay, Cornwall. The structure is steel frame, timber cassette walls and masonry external cladding, with a traditional trussed roof and concrete roof tiles. External works comprised associated playgrounds, parking and infrastructure, and construction of a traditional Cornish hedge.

 

The team completed the works in two phases for sectional completion. Midas engaged significantly with the local community, school stakeholders and the Duchy of Cornwall; including charity events, site tours for prospective parents and children, decoration of tiles used in the final construction, and making several donations.

 

Working in proximity to a housing contractor and completing the final phase of the build in a live school environment, Midas employed strict site segregation and controlled access, with operatives working within the live school subject to DBS checks. The customer scored the project 99% in the customer satisfaction survey at practical completion. The project won the 'Education' category in the RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 for the South West region.

 

Challenges:

To comply with the Duchy of Cornwall’s principle of sustainability, the school has 100% natural ventilation. The design team faced the challenge of maximising vent openings into the structure to increase air movement opportunities, whilst keeping the school building symmetrical and reflecting the local identity, a priority of the Duchy.

 

Outcomes:

Midas completed a best value review, substituting the external blockwork walls with timber cassettes and lightweight render, and using structural steel to form the roof structure, with a Tactray 90 Tile & Slate Support System to the timber trusses and a traditional felt and batten roof with the Clay Pantile covering.

 

The design team resolved the challenge of the ventilation system using Monodraught windcatchers – self-supporting units, installed symmetrically, with frames carefully coordinated with the timber wall panels, steel frame, thermal model and window frames.

 

The Midas team completed detailed coordination exercises with amended designs reviewed and agreed by the client, stakeholders and collaborative design team. The team held design workshops and met with clients and stakeholders to achieve final sign-off.

 

The team planted over 60 trees to contribute to carbon offsetting, and contributed enhanced landscaping. Midas donated swift bird boxes, additional to the specification, and installed them near to the infants’ classrooms.

 

Added Value:

The site team engaged extensively with the local community including hosting apprentices; giving site safety presentations to school children; fundraising for a local football club, scouts group and charities; hosting site tours for HRH Prince Charles, Aspire Academy trust staff, prospective parents, industry groups such as Women in Property, and Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Services for training exercises; and donating a defribrillator and other items.