Yorkon News Archives

14/11/2003 – Pioneering classroom project built by Yorkon wins CABE award

A pioneering classroom project built by modular construction specialist and Portakabin subsidiary, Yorkon, has won the 2003 Building Sights Award.

Sponsored by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) and the Arts Council England, the Building Sights Award aims to improve public access to building sites and engage local communities in the construction process.

Designed by Cole Thompson Associates for the Borough of Telford & Wrekin, the scheme was part of a high profile Government-funded initiative to create one of 12 new prototype ‘Classrooms of the Future', which pushed back the boundaries of construction technology, and design for teaching and learning.

The classrooms were manufactured off-site in York by Yorkon and craned into position at two schools in Telford – The Lord Silkin Secondary School and Wrockwardine Wood Junior School. Each classroom is a totally self-contained building, which incorporates groundbreaking technology and a range of new innovations to create two highly sustainable and energy efficient learning centres.

As part of an ongoing programme of public involvement, pupils from both schools in Telford were taken to the Yorkon factory to see their classrooms being manufactured.

Commenting on the award, Turlogh O'Brien, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council and Chair of the Building Sights judging panel, said, "We were particularly impressed by the quality of the feedback that the children had produced which clearly demonstrated that they had understood and been fascinated by the processes involved in the construction of their new classrooms."

"The children were encouraged to champion the schemes in their local communities and they were able to influence aspects of the final design."

Jane Woodall, Headteacher at The Lord Silkin School, said, "Staff and students have been very excited about this project since its inception. The students feel privileged to be given such an innovative building, which successfully addresses the issue of sustainability. The fact that the latest ICT equipment and video conferencing is now available to them on a daily basis gives them a better insight into the world of work. The Lord Silkin School sees the classroom as an exciting addition to its bid for business and enterprise specialist status."

Features of the Classrooms of the Future include:

The use of off-site construction to reduce the build time and minimise disruption to teaching
A living sedum roof, providing a number of environmental benefits, such as oxygenating the air, encouraging wildlife and adding colour to the buildings
Photovoltaic cells to generate electricity, and solar panels to provide hot water
Wind catchers to naturally ventilate the classrooms
Low maintenance western red cedar or metal mesh cladding to shade the classroom in summer and insulate the building 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.

"We are delighted this project has received such an important award. The Classroom of the Future initiative has successfully demonstrated 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.

He added, "The modular approach significantly reduced the programme time, guaranteed quality, reduced disruption to teaching whilst the new classrooms were being built and, critically, has provided each school with highly flexible and energy efficient teaching accommodation to meet changing local needs."

Editor's Notes

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.
Off-site construction involves the manufacture of steel-framed modules in a factory environment, using production line technology, whilst the foundation works are completed on site. The modules are delivered to site by road where they are craned into position in just a few days.