Tufnell Park Primary School
Islington, London
Project Details
Client
London Borough of Islington
Project Manager
Baily Garner
Architect
Haverstock
Contractor
Morgan Sindall
Value
£14.2 million
Contract Period
81 weeks
Procurement Type
Design & Build
Form of Contract
JCT 2011 D&B
Size
3,252 sqm
Project Summary
A new 3FE modular primary school and associated landscaping with new MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) to replace an existing 1.5FE school. The pupils from the existing school were housed in temporary classrooms while the old school was demolished to make way for the new school. Demolition took place in two phases with one building remaining operational throughout the build and was demolished once the school had decanted into the new building.
The new school is a modular construction by Eco Modular.
“Our project team is extremely experienced and adept at delivering high-quality education projects, often working in logistically challenging urban environments across London, and on live sites. We will bring this knowledge to bear on this development, doing our utmost to minimise disruption, engage both school users and the local community and manage the project to a high standard to ensure the journey to completion is a positive one for all stakeholders.”
Key Challenges
Four metre difference in site levels from pavement level to where the school building is located
A substantial cut and fill was carried out on the site to level it out and a retaining wall was constructed on three sides.
Challenging access and limited space
The site was landlocked by neighbouring properties on three sides and the site was very tight, making access to it very challenging. In the planning stages, permission for the retaining wall of a listed building was sought, but it wasn’t communicated properly how much working space was needed, which resulted in very limited space on each side of the building.
The modular build was proposed by Morgan Sindall as a solution to the tight site and limited access. Eco modular, who provided the building, also carried out the fit-out meaning there was only one contractor to manage for the whole of the building.
There was very little storage on the tight site, so “just in time” deliveries were scheduled to avoid having to store materials on site. All materials had to be craned in or hand-balled over a bridge and entered the building on the first floor.
Live School environment
Working in a live school environment with school children in very close proximity to the site and having to maintain services to the remaining school building.
A road closure was put in place for five weeks whilst the modular building was being delivered and craned into place. During this time, access still needed to be maintained for a special needs school opposite the site, so the road was only closed between the entrance and exit to the school.
The site team worked with the school to get the site set up initially. A good relationship with the school and local community was maintained throughout the course of the project, with regular site visits by the school’s headteacher and office manager as well as letter drops to neighbours.
Site of Interest for Nature Conservation with a number of Tree Preservation Orders
The site team worked with the school to get the site set up initially. A good relationship with the school and local community was maintained throughout the course of the project, with regular site visits by the school’s headteacher and office manager as well as letter drops to neighbours.
