The new build school and sports hall for Reading Girls’ School is one of seven schools delivered under the ESFA funded Herts, Luton & Reading PF2 programme. The school replaces the existing tired and failing buildings on the site and provides a bright and contemporary environment for the 900 girls who study there.
- Location:
- Reading
- Services:
- Budget:
- £11m
- Client:
- Interserve Construction Ltd/Kajima Partnerships Ltd
- Awards:
- Graphisoft BIM Project of the year 2016
- Sector:
- Education - Secondary
The new building was planned and built adjacent to the existing school which allowed the site to continue functioning throughout the development process without the need for temporary accommodation. Once the new building was completed the demolition of the existing buildings could be undertaken; rationalising the site and providing a net uplift in sports fields due to the improved and more compact planning of the new school.
Site access has been improved, separating pedestrians and cars more effectively, as well as maintaining good site security whilst maintaining an open and inviting character for the community.
The school already welcomed many community groups during the week and the weekend, hosting football clubs, inter-generational learning clubs and a church. All of these groups have been accommodated with improved access, facilities and spaces in the new building.
The sheltered high quality play and social spaces form a courtyard to the rear of the building, collecting summer sun and forming a pleasant oasis on the site. The planting and hard landscaping compliments the building well creating an attractive and hard wearing playground.
SUDs (Sustainable Urban Drainage) features include swales and on site soak-away and retention areas to manage water outflow and add value to habitat and planting areas.
The building was a BIM level 2 project with a high degree of collaboration and coordination within the design team. Regular clash detection between models allowed maber to coordinate and develop the design and ensure efficient design progression.