Rockwood Academy - Education

Project:

Rockwood Academy

Client:

Acivico

Contractor:

Morgan Sindall

Architect:

Associated Architects

Value:

£14m

Location:

Birmingham

GIFA:

2312m²

Completion:

October 2020

It was identified by the Education Department that Rockwood Academy required an additional 400 plus school places to support the growth of the local community, increasing the school’s capacity from 648 to 1050. The work was funded through the Birmingham City Council Capital Education fund and procured through the Constructing West Midlands framework.

SOLUTION

Morgan Sindall Construction worked in partnership with Innovaré to complete the expansion of the existing Academy. The scope of works for the £14 million programme included the design, manufacture and assembly of a two-storey 2,200 ft2 building. An additional ten classrooms were built together with a new atrium, library, further science laboratories, a drama studio and a new multi-use games facility.

OUTCOME

The main structural frame used an innovative offsite modular structural insulated panel system (SIPS) to deliver superior performance and quality. The design champions the use of Innovaré’s BBA Approved i-SIP System – which outperforms traditional building methods, accelerates project delivery, reduces waste and improves sustainability.

Images by John Kees Photography

SIPS panels are one of the most thermally efficient structural solutions, and by opting for this innovative offsite method of construction, the team managed to maintain programme and reduce risk which was hugely important at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advanced offsite construction techniques enabled the project to be cost effective whilst being highly energy efficient – reducing heating requirements for the lifetime of the school. Challenges were faced due to the pandemic when construction was disrupted early in the year. The team worked quickly to ensure that social distancing measures were applied consistently throughout the supply chain, meaning work could restart safely and meet the agreed completion date