Yorkon News Archives

03/12/2002 – Yorkon to build 'classroom of the future' in Telford

Modular building specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has been appointed by the Borough of Telford & Wrekin to build a ‘Classroom of the Future' for two local schools. The initiative is funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and is one of 12 projects to create new prototype classrooms, which will push back the boundaries of teaching and learning.

Designed by Integer, who were responsible for the ‘House of the Future' featured on BBC1's ‘Dreamhouse' series, the classrooms for Telford & Wrekin will be built off-site in York and craned into position at two schools – Lord Silkin Secondary School and Wrockwardine Junior School.

Each classroom will be a totally self-contained building allowing it to be used by the community outside school hours. Groundbreaking technology and a range of new innovations in design and construction will create two highly sustainable and energy efficient learning centres.

Features include:

Specialist steel helical foundations to minimise waste from preparation of the sites
The use of off-site construction to halve the build time and reduce disruption
A sedum roof, providing a number of environmental benefits, such as oxygenating the air, encouraging wildlife and adding colour to the buildings.
Photovoltaic cells and wind turbines will generate electricity; solar panels will generate hot water
Wind catchers to naturally ventilate the classrooms
Low maintenance western red cedar cladding to shade the classrooms in summer and insulate the buildings in winter
Underfloor heating to free wall space for displays and teaching aids
Suspended gondolas to carry lighting and other services instead of traditional suspended ceilings.

Borough of Telford and Wrekin's Cabinet Member for Education & Training, Councillor Peggie Harrison, said, "We have used the latest in construction techniques and education design thinking. As part of the concept design, we asked pupils and teachers what they really want, and thought long and hard about sustainability. We believe we have a replicable and highly innovative design that will provide safe, comfortable and inspirational teaching spaces."

"This high profile project demonstrates how good design can be used to create really exciting education buildings with all the benefits of off-site construction", said Keith Blanshard, Director and General Manager of Yorkon. "The modular approach will halve the programme time, guarantee quality, reduce disruption to teaching whilst the new classrooms are being built and, critically, will provide each school with highly flexible and energy efficient teaching accommodation to meet changing local needs."

Editor's Note

Yorkon's award-winning modular building system is an efficient alternative to traditional site-based construction, which saves time, guarantees quality and cost control, provides high levels of thermal efficiency, and is safer, quieter and cleaner.