| Client: | Aldenham School |
| Architect: | NVB Architects |
| Contractor: | Phoenix Construction Services |
| Construction value: | £5.75m |
| Embodied carbon A1 – A5: (structural) | 311 kgCO2e/m² |
Aldenham Preparatory School and Nursery
To continue the school’s drive for quality and enable its planned expansion, a new one and two storey development with supporting landscaped surroundings was required. A full suite of teaching spaces including art, music, drama, ICT, science, reception and nursery are being provided as well as dining, office and performance hall facilities. The site is wooded and slopes down from existing prep and senior school facilities to the east. External works and drainage design have been coordinated with wildlife enhancements, high quality play and outdoor learning areas. A steel frame superstructure clear spans rooms and window openings creating unobstructed and flexible spaces. An exposed cross laminated timber (CLT) panel roof creates a warm, soft and natural interior. The hall roof CLT panels are supported on glue laminated timber trusses which form a high pitched roof and magnificent performance space.
“With a strong track record of involvement in major projects in the independent school sector, Integral were appointed as the structural engineer specialists for our new Prep School from early in the concept stage. Since their appointment, they have attentively guided us through each stage of the process, ensuring we have been kept informed of progress and, crucially, involved in decision making. With extensive contacts throughout the industry, their assistance was invaluable during the tender stage for appointing the main contractor and helped to ensure the successful company had the right level of experience to deliver this complex project in line with our vision. Throughout the build phase, they have remained engaged, skilfully ensuring the structural elements have met their demanding expectations. When the inevitable issues have arisen, Integral has dealt with them in a timely manner, bringing the right members of the Project Team together to seek solutions collegiately without ending up in contractual arguments – this has been invaluable. Would I use them again – Yes. Would I strongly recommend them to others – Yes.”
Karl Mahon, Bursar and Clerk to the Governors, The Aldenham Foundation
