Bedford Hospital MRI

The school did not have enough classrooms to accommodate the students, so they wanted to create a new modern and clean environment utilising unused space. The project involved creating a new mezzanine floor within an existing two storey atrium area, doubling the area of floor space available so that they could provide a new library and then split the old library into 2 new classrooms.

PCI undertook full design and build responsibility for this project, engaging with designers, structural engineers, fire strategists and our in-house design team to ensure full CDM and building regulations compliance alongside a pleasing aesthetic.

Prior to steel installation, during our in-depth exposed site surveys, we found that there were discrepancies in steel levels vs the record drawings we were issued with. This led to having to re-design the steelwork and altering of connection details to ensure that the steelwork retained the correct strength to support the floor loadings. This project was mainly completed during the school term. This meant we had to create safe working areas away from the staff and children by installing temporary walls, signage and barriers and timing noisier and disruptive works around school hours to keep any disturbance to a minimum.

This project was part of modernising works within the Academy Trust, having already delivered a long line of projects within the trust over the past 5 years, during which the relationship and trust have elevated to a position of enabling term time work, which means a lot us. 

Different aspects of construction were required throughout this project due to the design. New steels were designed and installed for the mezzanine floor using a steel fabricator, bespoke timber joists were then installed and connected using an approved connection detail . The client was concerned of sound transfer as a result of the timber build floor, so we worked with our supply chain to apply acoustic treatments during construction. Different sized fire rated screens were installed around the library to let natural light from the skylights which also helped brighten up the surrounding corridors.