Case Studies for Modular Buildings

We have recently completed Phase 1 of the Hundred of Hoo Academy project. This included excavating and installing a large, heavily reinforced, insulated raft foundation. A significant surface water solution was installed consisting of a hydrobreak manhole, two surface water attenuation tanks, various associated storage pipes, and channel drainage. The foul drainage on this project was relatively simple, offering 2 connection points onto an existing nearby sewer. As well as this, some associated ductwork rounded off most of the works on Phase 1. The site is now ready for our clients to deliver their building, and once this is almost complete, we will be able to return to the site to complete the tarmac surfacing works. Due to the site being on school grounds, particular care and attention was needed to maintain the sites security and the safety of anyone who may be nearby. This included programming deliveries to ensure there was no conflict with the school’s busiest times. Furthermore, delivery drivers were asked to call ahead, meaning we could arrange to meet them at the gates and escort them in. Due to the nature of the program, we thought that first section was going to be tight, but by working at the weekends we managed to stay on program and deliver the project a week ahead of schedule. We very much look forward to returning for the surfacing works and seeing the stunning project upon completion.

Client: TG Escapes
Project: Hundred of Hoo Academy
Location: Hoo, Rochester, Kent
Value: £212.000
Programme Length: 9 weeks (7weeks prior to build team, 2 weeks post)

Before Blackoak could begin any work at Swalcliffe Park School we ensured that we had a safe working environment that had extra consideration for the specialist residents. The site was tight and importing materials required careful planning. The works included large excavation and muck shift, to reduce levels and the excavation of strip footing foundations. A double skim masonry wall was then built up to Finish floor height which included block internal and blue brick external. Internal plot drainage was then installed to the exterior of the building footprint. After this, we used Type 1 aggregates and screened sand with a 1200 gauge visqueen layer to build up within the building, and added the insulation. Finally, we fix two layers of steel reinforcement ready for a concrete pour. Once the modular build was installed by the build team, we returned to landscape and complete the surfacing works.

Value: £180,000
Duration: 10 Weeks

We have found that when constructing new buildings to any commercial property, the requirement of disabled access is an extremely important element to be considered, especially on our modular school projects. Complications can arise due to the difficult positions of the builds and the nature of the area, and sometimes a certain level of ingenuity is required to achieve the high-quality disabled access we pride ourselves with.

When designing the ramp, we must ensure that the falls are within 1:12 and that the widths are maintained. To achieve this, we took the heights of our new building entrance and transferred it to the existing school building and came to conclusion that the most suitable solution was to design a 4-level ramp. Once this was decided and confirmed, we began with; installing timber shuttering form work, drilling H16 rebar uprights into the existing foundation, tying A393 steel mesh to each bar, and carefully pouring concrete into the shuttering to form the new concrete wall. The concrete was left to set for a few days before our operatives stripped the timber shuttering, ready to raise levels of the new path with well compacted MOT and finished off with an asphalt surface. Finally, the concrete wall was painted grey to give it an aesthetically pleasing finish.

Value: £18,000
Duration: 2 weeks