Education
NSC 15
March 18
throughout creating a composite design.
Stability for the steelwork is derived entirely
from braced bays, located throughout the
structure, but mostly in partition walls.
The ground floor of the project contains
the aforementioned classrooms around
much of the perimeter, with the western
elevation also accommodating a sports hall,
a smaller games hall and a gym. The sports
hall is a double-height braced box with
spans of 20m.
The middle of the ground floor features
the amphitheatre, breakout spaces and
dining areas, all of which form the central
open-plan spine of the school. These zones
are spanned by bridges, giving access
across the void, and are topped with a roof
featuring rooflights allowing plenty of
natural daylight to penetrate the building’s
interior.
The northern end of the amphitheatre
features an audience terrace, formed by steel
rakers supporting precast planks. Behind
the terracing the school’s three-storey part
extends for five bays.
According to the design team, the
intention is that the school provides
well-designed spaces, both internally and
externally, that produce and encourage
opportunities for positive social interaction
for all age groups, both within the
formal school setting and in the public
environment.
The design addresses the access needs of
disabled children and adults, pupils, staff,
and visitors. The new school is said to be
a ‘barrier-free’ environment, providing full
access for the integration of students and
other users who have special needs.
This requirement goes beyond simply
providing access and toilets for wheelchair
users, but will address for example, the
needs of the hearing and visually impaired,
and the provision of accommodation
for teaching areas appropriately sized
to accommodate students with special
mobility and equipment needs.
Steelwork contractor Walter Watson
completed the steel frame erection in
January, but remained on-site for a few
further weeks to complete the other
parts of its package. These included the
installation of precast elements – stairs and
terracing – and the installation of metal
decking.
Using a variety of mobile cranes, the
steel programme was completed ahead of
schedule despite some typically inclement
winter weather.
“There were a number of factors as to
why this job was always going to be a steel
project; speed of construction was one but
also the location was important. We are
Some typical winter
weather did not slow
down the steel erection
programme
located on a greenfield site with little or
no paved access roads as yet, but steel has
been transported to site in erectable loads.
We would have struggled with any other
material,” explains Mr Kerr.
“The long 16m spans over the
amphitheatre and the 20m spans over the
sports hall would also have been difficult to
form in any other framing solution.”
Prior to the steel erection programme
kicking off, Robertson had been on-site
since August 2017. Early works included
some earthmoving to level the previously
sloping land and the installation of pad
foundations.
As well as the main school building, the
project also includes the construction of a
steel-framed energy centre, which features
a five degree slope as a nod to the school
structure, car parking, and sports pitches
including a 3G all-weather pitch.
Bertha Park High School is due to open
for the Autumn term in 2019.
/Composite_construction
/Concept_design#Structural_options_for_stability
/Bridges
/Leisure_buildings#Sightlines_and_seating
/Construction#Installation_of_metal_decking
/Construction#Installation_of_metal_decking
/Construction#Mobile_cranes
/The_case_for_steel#Speed_of_construction
/Fabrication#Handling_and_transportation
/Construction#Steel_erection
/Construction
/Car_parks