This education design and build contract exemplifies how we are able deliver ‘unaffordable’ projects through value engineering.

Six years prior to the build, Kent County Council were unable to commit to the project. This was due to the original budget estimate being £1.8m. When we met head teacher Cheryl Chalkey, we knew it was a design and build challenge we could meet!

In-House Design and Build Teamwork
Once we agreed a budget with the school, we obtained planning permission with Ashford Borough Council. However, the original budget remained unchanged over the 6-year period. So careful and considered design and value engineering was required to meet the goal.

Our skilled in-house team were up to the challenge.  We were able to design and build a beautiful, first-class building within the schools budget. We also undertook refurbishment works to the original Victorian school building. This included converting the existing school hall/dining area into two new classrooms and creating a new link corridor to integrate the two buildings.

Construction and Delivery

The building is a timber frame construction built on site.  The roof structure was manufactured off-site then delivered and installed by crane. The roof finish is formed using fully-recyclable, architectural-profiled metal cladding. Locally sourced larch has been used to clad the walls.

The project started on site in April 2022 and the main hall was completed for handover during the October half term. Once the school had taken possession, we carefully demolished and cleared the old mobile classrooms. We then completed the surfacing works to the playground.

Design and build project duration: 6 months.

Services Provided: Design and Build, Refurbishment, Demolition, Groundworks, Construction, Fit Out