When undertaking any kind of building and renovation project a large number of factors have to be taken into consideration. When the building in need of modernisation is a school, the situation is becomes a lot more complicated. Firstly, it is a public space containing a large number of energetic people, eager to discover the fixtures and fittings in new and unique ways. Secondly, a lot of those people are really quite small. Then there are rafts of helpful government legislation to take into consideration, covering subjects like Health and Safety and disability regulations. And of course, there is the important issue of cost.
Most school rebuilding and refurbishment projects need to take place within the school holidays or after school hours and therefore it is essential to choose contractors with experience of working within the education sector. If any work needs to be done during the school day when children are around, extra consideration needs to be given not only to the safety of the building site itself, but checks should really be made into the backgrounds of those who will be working on it, particularly if the job will take some time to complete.
These days a new consideration needs to be made when choosing what type of work or products you want for the school - how environmentally friendly is it? A school, above all other types of public space, should be thinking toward the future and sustainability should be key. If the products you use to refurbish the school can be energy saving, then all the better for both the budget and the planet.
Flexiblity is also an important consideration, particularly when one is looking at furniture. School rooms are often used for a number of different purposes. Therefore, modular, stackable or movable furniture can be extremely useful for quickly and effectively transforming a work and learning space. Ensure that furniture arrives already fully fitted wherever possible, not only does this save time, it also means it is likely to be stronger.
Durability is of course of paramount importance. Students will tilt chairs backwards, sit on desks and use furniture and fixtures in ways in which they were not meant to be used. Classroom furniture is probably the most abused anywhere. Therefore, chairs that might seem like good value now, may not seem like such a great investment if they have to be replaced within 12 months. Look for guarantees and furniture that can be mended easily, if necessary.
Finally, and possibly most importantly, schools need to be inspirational and therefore attractive design is essential. That lino may be the toughest on the market, and those tables indestructible but children need to feel comfortable and happy. It is a school and not a reform institution after all.
The following suppliers have products which fit the specifications set out above, to be durable, safe and attractive.
Gopak Stools
Sturdy and tough, yet stylishly designed and available in a rainbow of colours, Gopak's updated range of stools will create a striking feature in any classroom.
Ready to handle the tough demands of even the busiest school day, all of the stools are manufactured to the highest possible standards and are fully customisable - giving customers incredible flexibility.
Gopak, the UK's top designer, manufacturer and supplier of innovative and functional furniture solutions, now offers a trio of stool varieties. Effortlessly blending comfort and style, they are ideal for ICT areas, science labs and breakfast bar style cafeterias.
Armitage Shanks Washrooms
Armitage Shanks enlisted top designer, Robin Levien, to ensure that the new product ranges are aesthetically pleasing and provide schools with an up-to-date and modern washroom. Contour Twenty-One includes products designed specifically for age groups 3-6, 7-11 and 11+, which include two smaller sized back-to-wall WCs in 305mm or 355mm with a 4.5litre flush lever, which will prove hugely beneficial to a schools' water efficiency, and help achieve BREEAM compliance..
The basins are available in 40, 50, 55 and 60cm, have no tap holes, overflow, chain or plug instead they feature concealed fixing brackets and an integral back outlet; this means there is virtually no-where for the bacteria to reproduce, making these basins extremely hygienic. School washrooms also need to ensure that disabled staff and pupils are provided for under section 7 of BS 6465 building regulations and Armitage Shanks can help with advice.
CFS Carpets
CFS Carpets' philosophy is to endeavour to reduce the environmental impact of its activities on the community, today and in the future and several CFS tile ranges are now available on Envirolite® backing, a 100% hydrocarbon backing that contains no plasticisers and solvents and which are totally recyclable. Tiles on Envirolite® backing are easy to cut, lighter than traditional tiles and extremely flexible, even at low temperatures and will not mark skirting boards or clothing.
Yorkon Modular Buildings
Yorkon - a division of Portakabin - has introduced new architectural features and design tools to meet the needs of schools, contractors and architects. Shaped modules, 12m clear internal spans, and a wider range of cladding, glazing and ‘green' options mean that modular construction does not compromise design flexibility and can create genuinely exciting, statement buildings and inspirational teaching environments.
Off-site construction is a highly sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods. It generates fewer vehicle movements, helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions. Material waste can be reduced by up to 90 per cent compared to site-based construction (source: WRAP). Modular buildings are more thermally efficient and consistently perform up to 70 per cent better than Building Regulations requirements, in full-scale tests for air permeability
Research has shown that up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a modular building compared to a traditionally-built project (source: Arup Research and Development).
