Corus aids dynamic learning for Manchester students

29 Apr 2008

A million miles away from the regimented rectangles of its Victorian forerunners and in line with the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, Failsworth School is a prime example of how a new generation of school buildings are being designed. The focus of the new education complex - architecturally and functionally – is a sinuous covered ‘street’ on and around which all the activities of the school will flow. Flanking it on one side is a sinuous two-storey block containing the school offices and classrooms on the first floor, whilst three further classroom blocks are located on the opposite side with a fourth extending the line of the street.

Chris Ryder Kier Build, Project Manager– the main contractor for the scheme - comments: “The main structural frames for the scheme were originally designed to be built in insitu concrete. However, changing this to a hybrid structure – specifying steel for everything upwards of the first floor slab - guaranteed the successful delivery of this complex architectural design within the parameters defined by the build programme.

There are a number of key reasons for going down the structural steel route – namely speed of erection,  -and better strength to weight ratio that can reduce foundations loads. However in the instance of Failsworth School the key factor for this change was dictated by the complexity of the roof structures, especially on the sinuous front block.

He continues: “Opting for steel significantly simplified the structural detailing of such a complex and difficult design. Offering a complete metal profiling range spanning composite and built up systems, Corus Panels and Profiles was in the unique position of clearly understanding our specific requirements and being able to offer genuinely objective advice to deliver the best products for the varied applications.”

Corus Panels and Profiles Guardian® composite panels using Colorcoat HPS200® pre-finished steel for the ultimate in durability and guaranteed performance were used for both the curvaceous walling and complex roofing system where clever faceting meant the 120mm panels could follow the curved façade of the complex building footprint. For subcontractors Briggs Amasco, this helped them overcome the biggest
challenge when it came to constructing five rotundas that topped staircases and light wells throughout the complex.

Derek Eades, Business Development Manager for Corus Panels and Profiles explains:  “The radius of the smaller rotundas came in at just 4.1m requiring that the horizontal Guardian® panels were no longer than 900mm, whilst the change of direction between adjacent panels was as much as 30°.  Guardian® Panels can be used to follow tight boundaries and are ideal for this kind of application, as clever joint detailing can be achieved to ensure weather tightness of the building envelope.”

Guardian®, a well established product, delivers a long-term building envelope solution with ultimate levels of performance and the added benefits associated with the Platinum Systems Warranty, exclusively from Corus Panels and Profiles.  As a Colorcoat® assessed cladding system, Guardian® is also available with Confidex Sustain®, which provides a combined guarantee covering the durability of the Colorcoat® pre-finished steel product and makes the pre-finished steel building envelope CarbonNeutral - the first in the world. Having reduced CO2 emissions to a minimum, the remaining unavoidable emissions from the pre-finished steel cladding system are measured from cradle to cradle and the impact offset.

Clients and insurers can be reassured by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) Grade A rating awarded to the non-combustible Guardian® panels. Furthermore, with the growing concerns about the environmental impact of buildings, the panel uses mineral fibre insulation so not only is Guardian® free from ozone-depleting CFCs and HCFCs, all of its components can be recycled once the building has reached the end of its useful lifespan.

Client:                    Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
Architect:               Architects Co-Partnership
Main Contractor:   Kier Build
Subcontractor:      Briggs Amasco

Panels and Profiles Products:  Guardian® composite panels

Colorcoat® Products:               Colorcoat HPS200® in Merlin Grey