South Sefton 6th Form College
Background:
South Sefton Sixth Form College is a state-of-the-art sixth form centre for Sefton Council. Work was completed in 2009 and is one of only a very small number of colleges in the country that is officially a 16-19 school. The college is a two-storey building providing a top class learning facility for 16-19 year olds throughout the region.
The facility includes specialist accommodation for art, sciences, performing arts and ICT. In addition, a new Learning Resource Centre provides research and study facilities. There are also smaller tutorial rooms and chaplaincy facilities with a quiet/prayer room for private contemplation.
A large, double height, central atrium provides a meeting and assembly space together with dining facilities and a dance/drama area. A four-court sports hall, outdoor pitch and landscaped external environment complements the curriculum facilities.
Project Challenges:
The real challenge on this job was ensuring that the design interfaces joined together correctly, so throughout the build, Structhem worked closely with the Rok design team and the Approved Installation Contractor (AIC) to detail out the complex interface aspects which went on to provide the architectural design features seen in the finished building.
Project Solution:
The building was constructed using a lightweight, cold rolled steel frame, infilled with blockwork, sheathing board and where these products proved difficult, Structherm’s Structural Insulated Panel. This, along with Structherm’s
Thin Coat External Wall Insulation system, meant that the majority of the facade treatment utilised Structherm’s acrylic render in a striking bright white. This finish, along with areas of brickwork and architectural glazing provided a sharp, contemporary look to the finished building.
Structherm’s Thin Coat System was used on the main elevations as it requires minimal movement joints. This enabled a seamless finish to be acheived in lengths of up to 60 metres, again adding to the crisp appearance of the building.
Results:
The system selected achieved a U-value of 0.22 W/m2k on completion.
South Sefton 6th Form College - New Build EWI
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