Would you ever guess this was modular? | 11 Apr 2006 |
When Michael Hadfield received the brief for a new 316 square metre Social Services Day Centre at Brigg, in North Lincolnshire, he knew immediately that there was only one way he could complete the thirteen week project on time and within budget, whilst still keeping the Centre, which comprised two separate buildings, operational. Using a modular building system was the only option.
As senior architect for North Lincolnshire Council, Michael had to source a number of bids to satisfy the council’s procedural requirements. Neath Abbey based Wernick Buildings came up with the best interpretation of the brief, and after a meeting with the company’s design team and project manager, at which time as Michael put it, “All the cards were laid on the table regarding the difficulties of limited access, a short programme time and a finite budget, plus the fact that existing ‘active’ buildings were to remain operational. My requirements of the company building the Centre were demanding, but it was clear from the first meeting with the Wernick team, that they had the experience and detailed design solutions to undertake the project and all the logistical problems that came with it. I can only say that their adept and professional attention to detail never wavered during the whole contract period, even when the pressure increased”.
All end users are extremely pleased with the result. Lynne Smith, who is the present team leader of the Resource Centre, manages the day-to-day operations with the help of twenty support workers. They provide a day service for forty-five clients, all of whom have varying degrees of learning disabilities. “Our objective”, as Lynne explained, “is to assist our Adult Services clients to comfortably integrate into society. This is achieved by helping with every suitable opportunity that society offers, from attending adult education classes, to taking work placements, enjoying a visit to the pub, or playing a game of snooker.” A number of the Centre’s clients demand a high degree of personal care. This required that the building was completely wheelchair accessible and suitably equipped with special fire safety doors. “The new building works well in every respect”, continued Lynne, “the art room, for example, complete with patio doors leading to a covered veranda, is fantastic and has become a firm favourite with all clients and staff”.
Michael Hadfield achieved great personal satisfaction with the end result of the Day Centre at Brigg. Originally, there were three buildings on the site, together with a number of mature trees. It was considered important to retain the trees, as part of the council’s environment policy and as part of future landscaping proposals.
The project was completed while the Centre was still operational, with its full compliment of clients. One of the three buildings had to be demolished at an early stage; a second building was later sold for demolition and residential development. The new building now also includes the local resident’s association office and was attached to the main Centre building by a link corridor. “We have only achieved this positive end result on time and within budget with all the demanding restrictions that the project presented by using an off-site, factory build system”, concluded Michael, “When I saw the completed job I knew that most people would never believe that the building is modular. It was a pleasure to work with Wernick”.
Would you guess this was modular? The art room veranda and sensory garden at the Brigg Resource Centre
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