University Academy Holbeach, New Teaching Block

Rolton Group’s Civil and Structural Engineering teams are providing technical design and consultancy services to support delivery of the new, two storey building, comprising eight classrooms and a specialist health and social care teaching area (including healthcare suites simulating ward environments), as well as office space, WCs and ancillary areas.

Ground conditions were found to include soft ground and a high water table. As such, our team designed a bespoke foundation solution utilising a shallow design, reinforced for load distribution across the soft ground.

After exploring multiple options, designs for the new building feature a steel-framed structure and precast concrete floors. Our engineers advised against load-bearing masonry (in keeping with other structures on the campus) to ensure full compliance with the latest building codes while delivering a more cost-effective (and faster) build solution.

Our engineers co-ordinated closely with the architect, enabling a rapid turnaround of technical designs to provide sizing specifications for steelwork and other elements quickly. This allowed the Project Manager to acquire quotations from specialist suppliers promptly, helping the wider project team maintain the project’s tight schedule.

Located on the site of UAH’s old car park, the new teaching block will integrate into the existing campus; maintaining valuable existing hard and soft landscaped areas and pathways used by students. The new building will enable the removal of temporary classrooms from the campus and main works are due to be undertaken throughout the school’s summer holiday, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and students.

Once open, the new block will provide modern teaching spaces for the expanding list of courses available at UAH. Segregated access for the building will also allow it to be used for out of hours teaching without the need to open the full academy campus.