Upton Court Grammar - a combined new build of 4,600m² and Refurbishment of 3000m².

Image credit to The Bond Bryan Partnership

Key Information 

  • Client: Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd (West Midlands)
  • Contractor: Bowmer & Kirkland (Southern Region)
  • Architect: The Bond Bryan Partnership Head Office
  • Location: Berkshire

Project Overview

Upton Court Grammar - a combined new build of 4,600m² and Refurbishment of 3000m². The School was able to remain open during the construction period as the works were carried out in three phases (over three years) We were able to provide B+K with “Part Completion Certificates” in order for them to hand over the various phases back to the School.

Brief scope of works

The First Phase was the Large three storey Extension to the existing two storey 6th Form Block (see photo - top right). The new extension contains the Main Hall and DT Classrooms on the GF; ICT and Art on the Second Floor; and General Classrooms on the 3rd Floor (the floorplate of the extension was approx. 1,450m²). The Building was Fire Engineered (not BB100) and this allowed the school to be built using the Guidance of BS9999 providing an open and more efficient layout without sprinklers whilst maintaining a safe environment for Life Safety (not property protection). Additionally, we were able to agree that as the 6th form block was only four years old it would be uneconomical to provide consequential improvements to this part of the school.
 
The Second Phase was the refurbishment of the existing 1930’s main building - These works did trigger the need for consequential improvements and we were able to come to an agreement on the extent of these improvements against the main works.
 
The last Phase was the new Sports Block. Again this was also Fire engineered (as per above) and in terms of consequential improvements considered as a standalone building albeit that the escape stairs from the existing classroom block now escape via the proposed Sports Block Entrance lobby and merge with those occupants.
 
We provided constant support throughout the build including advice on Fire stopping and replacement Fire doors for the 1930‘s refurb and advice on temporary Means of escape during the build.
 
The last Phase was completed in September 2019.

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