Team collaboration ensures innovative design and effective construction

The new Maths and Science Centre at Monkton Senior School in Bath is now complete, and pupils have returned from the Easter break to take full advantage of the impressive new facilities.

The project has involved refurbishment of the existing building, a three-storey wing on the eastern edge of the school site. A further extension has improved access to these areas, and added additional space for mathematics classrooms and supporting facilities to the laboratories.

Sustainability has been a major design feature of the project, and the successful collaboration between the project team has ensured the possibility of innovative solutions that optimise the teaching facility.

A major part of the brief was to ensure that the enlarged building used less energy than the original, despite an increased volume of 180%; significant insulation has been incorporated into the walls and roof of the old building and fresh air is supplied via passive ventilation stacks.

The renovation and extension of the 1948 building covers approximately 1,500m2, and now houses six laboratories; two for chemistry, two for physics and two for biology, plus three large maths classrooms, each fitted with a wireless IT port.

The science departments also have a preparation room, storage space and a resource area. In addition, six smaller classrooms and an IT suite have been created in the existing envelope. The design has incorporated a disabled lift and a mixed-use toilet on every floor.

A key objective of the Maths and Science Centre project was for the newfacility to become a centre of excellence for the teaching of maths and science at secondary school level. The building is designed to a very high specification and this, in conjunction with a suite of modern scientific equipment, will provide an outstanding environment for teaching, learning and research at all levels, both now and for many years to come.

An outstanding teaching environment aims for excellence The building programme has been accompanied by the development of new and innovative ways to teach maths and science at Monkton Senior School. The introduction of a mentoring scheme for 6th form students, the appointment of visiting scientists and the establishment of a Council of Reference of distinguished scientists who are committed to supporting the development of these subjects are three exciting initiatives, which have been launched during the course of the past year.

Not only will this encourage the teaching of maths and science by personal interaction between scientists, pupils and staff, but the visiting experts will also provide an important interface between the school, top university departments and the corporate sector.

Monkton director of development, Dr Alan Kerbey, said: “The educational benefits of this outstanding new facility are substantial. It will provide our pupils with an exciting and stimulating environment in which to study, learn, inquire and discover. It will also enable teaching staff to demonstrate to pupils some of the experimental techniques (previously only taught from text books) that are shaping scientific advancement in the 21st century.”

Buro Happold creates environmentally friendly solutions Tektus Architects led the innovative design of the project, ensuring a balance between practicality and aesthetics. King Shaw Associates provided structural engineering, ensuring that design challenges were overcome. Multi-disciplinary contractor Dean and Dyball’s focus on collaboration secured the successful outcome of the project. International multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold provided project management and building services engineering.

One sustainable design solution included the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, which are flush with the  roof. These modules convert the energy contained in rays from the sun into electricity, through the use of a light sensitive (photovoltaic) material.

Buro Happold Associate Director based in the Bath office, Jim Crouch, said: “The school has always been clear about its sustainability agenda, from both practical and educational standpoints. The opportunity to flush the PV arrays into the roof enabled that solution above others. The school also hopes to add a small scale wind turbine in the future. ”

MONKTON COMBE SCHOOL

Monkton is a co-educational, independent boarding and day school, which is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty just a few miles from the World Heritage City of Bath. Both the Senior and Prep schools were established in the latter half of the 19th century, partly for the education of clergy and missionary children.

Based on a strong Christian foundation and principles, Monkton continues to provide an excellent all-round education for more than 700 pupils aged between two and 18 years, an education that encourages a personal faith and sets standards for life, foremost of which are the development of potential, high academic standards and a lifestyle that is based on discipline, respect and service to the modern world.

Monkton Senior School was founded in 1868 by Reverend Francis Pocock, Vicar of Monkton Combe. Today, its 357 pupils come from all parts of the United Kingdom and from abroad. A high proportion of these pupils board; about 35 per cent are day pupils. Although the school has a strong boarding ethos it is organised so that the day pupils are able to participate fully in its life. There is a good mix of boarding and day pupils in each of the seven Houses.