Integra Buildings delivers 'future-proof' modular primary school
A stunning new primary school has been hailed as “future-proof”, after it was delivered using cutting-edge modular building methods.
Ebbsfleet Green Primary School, in Kent, has been designed with sustainability at its heart, in order to significantly reduce energy use and running costs.
The landmark modular building was completed by Integra Buildings, the award-winning offsite construction specialist, for client Kier Construction, the project’s principal contractor.
It was manufactured in 98 sections at Integra’s factories in East Yorkshire, before being transported by road to Kent and assembled on site, using a 300-tonne mobile crane.
The modular solution offered significant time savings when compared with a traditional build, allowing Kier to deliver the project to a tight timeline without compromising on an ambitious design brief, which included a distinctive “saw-tooth” roof and a striking feature entrance.
The school, which will serve the fast-growing new village community of Ebbsfleet Garden City, has now welcomed its first intake of children.
Gary Parker, Integra’s Managing Director, said the school was a prime example of how leading offsite manufacturers were “breaking the modular mould” in order to successfully deliver increasingly complex projects to clients.
“We’re delighted to have worked alongside Kier to complete outstanding, modern facilities for a growing community,” said Mr Parker.
“Not only does the new school look stunning, it also meets the client’s important sustainability goals.
“Features such as the saw-toothed roof and the distinctive entrance are far from what you’d associate with a traditional modular building.
“It’s proof positive that clients can now enjoy all the benefits of offsite construction without having to compromise on their design ambitions.”
Ebbsfleet Green Primary School is designed to maximise natural light and ventilation, reducing the risk of overheating and resulting in a BREEAM rating of “very good”. Construction materials such as timber were responsibly sourced, while action was taken to enhance the site’s ecology and long-term biodiversity.
Integra was engaged by Kier at the earliest stage of the project, before planning permission was sought, in order to ensure design intent, delivery, quality and value for money could be achieved with a modular construction solution.
The project was procured through SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading procurement authorities, and delivered by Kier for Kent County Council and the Maritime Academy Trust.
David McKenzie, managing director for Kier Construction London, South and Strategic Projects, said: “We are delighted to hand this fantastic educational facility over to Kent County Council. It has been a pleasure to work in collaboration with them and Maritime Academy Trust in providing these modern learning spaces to benefit teachers and students in Ebbsfleet Garden City’s expanding community.”
The building is a fantastic asset to the development, both in its aesthetics but also the facilities it will provide
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “Ensuring that our education facilities provide an engaging learning environment is vital for our next generation to thrive and to attract the very best teaching staff.
“Kier has delivered the future-proof Ebbsfleet Green Primary for Kent County Council in collaboration with Maritime Academy Trust that will give the community of Ebbsfleet Garden City much needed school places.
“At SCAPE, we are proud that the project is built with sustainability at its heart and that this will help educate students from a young age about the benefits of energy-efficient building whilst significantly reducing the school’s carbon footprint and running costs.”
Emily Stapley, Senior Project Manager (Education) Infrastructure Division, Strategic and Corporate Services, at Kent County Council, said: “The building is a fantastic asset to the development, both in its aesthetics but also the facilities it will provide.”
Integra Buildings, which was named Contractor of the Year at the Offsite Awards 2021 in September, has developed a nationwide reputation for excellence in the design, construction and fit-out of modular buildings for a wide range of uses, including education, sport, leisure, healthcare and commercial operations. Earlier this year, it was named in the annual Ward Hadaway list of Yorkshire’s “Fastest 50” growing companies.
Further details about the Ebbsfleet Green Primary School project are available on Kier Group’s website.