Surrey, NR32 4PZ
Benjamin Britten School – School Refurbishment
Benjamin Britten looks to the future with 21st Century Laboratories and Art Classrooms
Benjamin Britten School is a 11 to 18 co-educational day school founded in honour of England’s greatest composer of Lowestoft, Benjamin Britten.
As a member of the Hartismere Family of Schools, which has been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, this institution is also proudly sponsored by The Britten Pears Foundation. Additionally, it serves as Suffolk’s Centre of Excellence in Mathematics, dedicated to raising educational standards across the Lowestoft and Suffolk regions.
Set in over 28 acres the school takes pride in offering exceptional facilities that foster the development of both “the sharpest minds” and “the biggest hearts” in its students, all through a traditional academic approach to education.
CONTACT & MORE
The brief
As part of on-going developments to create inspiring learning environments, Benjamin Britten’s science labs and art and textile classrooms required modernisation.
To facilitate refurbishment throughout the year without interrupting lessons, the school were looking for a rolling programme to develop its facilities.
With a proven track record of successfully implementing rolling programmes, Innova was delighted to secure the project, minimising disruption and allowing teaching and learning to continue seamlessly.
The refurbishment has resulted in modern, inspiring learning spaces that captivate students and nurture a lasting passion for science, art, and technology subjects.
The solution
With an increase in roll call and the need to align with the demands of the 21st century curriculum, the school aimed to revitise an existing lab space and convert disused classrooms into modern, functional science laboratories.
As part of a comprehensive turnkey solution which included design, manufacturing installation, of furniture, M&E works, and flooring, Innova replaced the outdated rows of iroko lab furniture in the existing laboratory with a flexible learning environment that featured improved circulation space and clever storage solutions.
To convert the general classrooms into two state-of-the-art laboratories, Innova managed the removal of internal walls, involving structural engineers and building control to ensure an efficient re-modernisation programme, that adhered to all the necessary building regulations.
Turnkey services
- Demolition & Strip Out
- Minor Building Works
- New Flooring Installation
- Electrical Works
- Plumbing Services
- Decoration
Flexible Laboratories
The three new labs now feature fixed service pods that house electrics and gas connections together with loose tables to create a more flexible layout for the school. This configuration allows students to work together in groups by re-arranging the tables around the service pods.
Sinks and storage units are strategicall placed along the perimeter featuring pigeon hole units for bag storage to keep the laboratories clutter-free.
Art & Textile Spaces
In the Art department, generous work surfaces were an important factor in the refurbishment to give students sufficient space for project work. Large re-configurable tables were installed along with plenty of perimeter storage for art materials ensuring a clutter-free environment. Open shelving offers additional storage for 2D and 3D work, while custom drying racks help maximise valuable classroom space.
The textile room was thoughtfully designed to inspire and encourage student creativity across various mediums. Large craft tables now provide teachers with the flexibility to re-configure the space depending on the activity. Whether its cutting fabric, pattern making or demonstrating textile techniques.
Sawtooth benching has been installed along the perimeter, offering students more elbow room and space to drape fabric while using sewing machines. Additionally specialist storage for materials and fabric hav been incorporated, along with large belfast sinks to support a variety of textile processes, such as mixing and dyeing.
Spotlight on interiors
Multi-sector
Breakout Spaces Flexible, multi-functional work or social spaces which can be reconfigured quickly and easily
Education
ICT Suites Accessible, ergonomic, low-maintenance ICT suites to keep pace with learning technologies
Education
General Classrooms Classroom furniture solutions to accommodate a wide range of teaching and learning styles
Do you have a project in mind?
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0161 4775300
hello@innovadesigngroup.co.uk