Arval speeds up the BSF programme

publication date: Sep 1, 2008

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author/source: ArcelorMittal Construction

ARVAL STEEL ROOFING AND CLADDING MATERIALS FROM ARCELORMITTAL CONSTRUCTION WERE SPECIFIED BY WILKINSON EYRE ARCHITECTS FOR THE FIRST SCHOOL COMPLETED 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, involved 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 was due for completion in spring 2008.

ArcelorMittal Construction
info@arval-construction.co.uk

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