Arval - Speeds up the BSF Programme
Arval steel roofing and cladding materials from Arcelor Construction
UK were specified by Wilkinson Eyre Architects for the first school
due for completion under Bristol’s Building Schools for the Future
programme, as much for their aesthetics as their practicalities.
Arval’s long-span structural trays are being used internally and a
specialist flat façade externally, both to stunning effect at
Bristol Brunel Academy (formerly Speedwell Technology College).
The three types of Arval’s long-span structural trays totalling
4,500m² that are being used internally are in two steel-framed
accommodation blocks which are connected by internal footbridges to
a concrete-framed three-storey central atrium.
The trio comprises two sizes of perforated trays featuring the
Hairplus 25 coating system which are being installed on the ceiling
for their acoustic qualities while a single size of their
unperforated counterpart is going on the walls for thermal
efficiency.
In addition, 1,500m² in three Hairexcel Granite colours of the
specialist flat façade Hairplan 300 is being secret-fixed in a
staggered horizontal pattern on the exterior elevations by Allmass
Cladding Systems for Skanska. A site-assembled interlocking system
makes these panels exceptionally easy to install.
The £24 million PFI project, which makes extensive use of steel,
involves demolishing the existing college after building a state of
the art replacement for more than 1,000 secondary age students. The
school, which will have a specialism in communications, opened to
its first students in September.
Wilkinson Eyre’s brief was to design a 21st century school with
integrated community functions that would achieve a “very good”
BREEAM rating, and the central atrium certainly makes use of natural
light and ventilation with glazing over the “street” space area.
As you would expect of a 1,000-student school, the communal rooms
are large - the assembly hall at Brunel is a two-level, 25m by 20m
building with 20m-long spans which also feature in the two sports
halls. Arval’s long-span structural trays eliminate the need for
unsightly cladding rails.
The Wilkinson Eyre team, who found the Arval product via an internet
search for decking products, said: “We selected the Arval product to
provide acoustic absorption, withstand wind pressure and for the
opportunity to expose it internally as a final finish. It also
enabled us to produce a staggered coloured cladding effect
externally.
“The product clads the large, double-height elements of the
building, such as the sports hall and assembly hall, and gives a
coloured, staggered pattern effect to break up the large surface
area of these elements, which visually enlivens the façade with
limited visible fenestration.
“The Arval system complies with both the aesthetic and performance
requirements of the project. It provided the necessary acoustic
absorption and allowed staggered jointing and a colour palette to
enable freedom of design,” said Wilkinson Eyre.
Arval products are also being used on another school in the Bristol
BSF project – Whitefield Fishponds - which is due for completion in
spring 2008.
Email:
info@arval-construction.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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