Case Study
Abbey Green School, Chester
Based right in the historic centre of Chester, Abbey School is an Independent Special School for young people with autism aged 4-19 whom may have additional behavioural challenges and additional learning requirements.
The school’s vision is that all children with exceptional needs receive a meaningful and fulfilling education that allows them to make their own choices about their adult lives. To help it deliver on this aim, the school required a suitable setting within the city of Chester to deliver the dedicated and tailored learning to these children.
10-11 Abbey Square was identified as the ideal location for this and, in 2019, the school received planning permission for the chance of use of this Grade Il listed building into a school. These properties form part of the Chester Cathedral Estate and are located close to its grounds, their regeneration allows the cathedral to generate additional funds for its operations.
OUR ROLE
The change of use required a range of essential repairs and modifications to the 18th-century building to make it safe and suitable for teaching and learning. To support this, we were appointed to deliver structural engineering services on the project, alongside the Architects, Barron Design.
Our role included assessing the suitability of and designing a new steel structure to support the accommodation of new ventilation systems to ensure compliance with the requirements of schools with SEN students.
Challenges
The school has specific requirements to allow it to meet relevant Building Regulations, Department for Education guidance, and the specific needs of SEN students. This included more advance climate control, whilst also minimising the noise generated by heating and cooling systems, new services, and remodelling of some areas of the building.
This was particularly challenging in a building that was first constructed in 1754 and required us to work collaboratively with the school, Architects, and Conservation Officers to develop a safe and compliant design. This ensured student needs were met whilst complying with the Grade Il listed restrictions.
3000kg of M&E equipment was needed to meet the ventilation requirements, adding significant weight to the existing structure. To accommodate this safely, we undertook extensive surveying of the building to allow us to design an innovative galvanized steel frame. To ensure the design was practical and suitable, we worked collaboratively with the steel fabricator and contractor to ensure the frame could be installed safely and without compromising the programme.
SUCCESSES
The project as a whole was awarded a Building Excellence Award in 2021, the Best Non-Residential Conversion for Building Excellence in the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship. With Read Construction, Barron Design Ltd, Abby School Ltd, Holloway Partnership, Thomas Consulting Ltd, Jones Melling, and EDP all being sited on the award.
