Designed by award-winning firm Lungfish Architects, the two-form entry school is scheduled to open in 2024, and is being constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) rather than traditional methods.
Our teams paid the manufacturer, Innovaré Offsite, a visit to see how they will work. i-FAST SIPS panels have excellent insulation properties, reducing energy consumption and costs associated with heating and cooling.
i-FAST is a patented closed-panel framed wall system manufactured offsite with intrinsic fire, acoustic, structural, and thermal performance.
Advantages of this system:
The i-FAST panels are faced with A1 Non-combustible board and factory filled with A1 rated stone wool. The staggered stud arrangement reduces thermal bridging and acoustic transmission, while allowing protection of the stud in a fire scenario. This allows a unique proposal of a standalone panel system that exceeds 60 minutes’ fire resistance without reliance on additional lining boards.
The panels can be used to form the building structure or as infill. All components are recyclable, CE Marked or BBA Certified. The i-FAST system allows architects, specifiers and inspectors to be confident that the building will achieve a minimum level of performance and is fully supported by Innovaré’s in-house design, manufacturing and installation teams offering complete control over the project.
This construction method will accelerate the Forest School’s delivery and deliver ambitious building performance outcomes for the school, such as giving thermal values and airtightness significantly below DfE targets, helping to reduce energy demand and lower operational carbon.
Newark College student visits
Category: Construction
Newark College Electrical Installations Students Embark on an Exciting Enrichment Project to Transform Newark Town Centre
In a remarkable initiative, that combines education, hands-on experience, and community development, students from Newark College‘s Electrical Installation Study Programmes and Apprenticeships are shaping the future of Newark’s town centre.
The event led by Stepnell, with Newark and Sherwood District Council, allows the students to observe the project through the different stages of transforming the M&S foodhall on Stodman Street into a vibrant hub of residential homes and retail units. Beyond their initial site visit this week, the students will revisit the site for the demolition phase and continue to monitor the project until its successful completion.
Penny Taylor, MBE, Head of Newark Campuses, said: “We are delighted for our students to be involved in such a project; it reinforces our commitment to providing students with enriching experiences making them work-ready. The collaboration between educational institutions and local government and employers underscores the importance of nurturing the next generation of industry experts. As a college, we can’t replicate these experiences in the classroom – local employers enhance student experience, allowing them to visualise theory on a real project whilst actively investing in the betterment of the community.”
Under the expert guidance of professionals, students will have the unique opportunity to witness and contribute to the entire project life cycle. This enriching work experience with a local employer equips students with sector-specific knowledge for future employment within the industry.
Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said:“This was a great opportunity where we could provide local students with a unique experience to support them in their learning by visiting a major construction project. We’re always looking for opportunities to work with partners and to find ways we can support them in the work that we do. The plan for the former M&S building will help transform the empty building into a thriving area where living, working and shopping come together. We’re excited to get this project underway, and our Officers enjoyed informing students on the challenges and work that goes into renovating such a unique site.”
During this week’s site tour, Stepnell Senior Pre-Construction Manager Christian White provided students with valuable insights into the various stages of the project, including the complexities of demolishing a site in a highly pedestrianised town centre, emphasising the need for a controlled process over a 20-week period. Students also gained an understanding of the diverse professionals involved in such a large-scale project, including the coordination with the National Grid to ensure the absence of live cables during the demolition phase and the involvement of archaeologists to assess the need for an archaeological dig to preserve any artifacts – teaching students the importance of liaising with the different trades to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the project.
Christian said:“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with the electrical installation students from Newark College for their first site visit to this multifaceted and significant development in the town centre. This project showcases the variety and complexity of works that electrical installers may expect to undertake with similar high street projects. We’re looking forward to continuing to engage with the students as the works progress. This education initiative adds to our social value plans during the project, including carbon reduction initiatives, employability programmes and targeted regional spending. These are all integral to generating the added value that we pride ourselves on delivering as a complete construction partner.”
Following their visit students had an engaging and innovative session with Stepnell on the importance of employer encounters. Students learned how they can enhance their CVs, key interview skills and ideal attributes of candidates. Reinforcing our employer-led commitment as a college to deliver an enriching curriculum.
Jake Wood, Level 3 Electrical Installations Apprentice at Newark College, said: “We are doing design at the moment in college which I’m really enjoying. Being on site, we got to see design plans for the new building. It’s good to understand the layout from the start and end of the project.”
The Stodman Street project was procured through the Procure Partnership Framework, these activities form part of our KPI commitments to delivering social value within the local communities of our framework schemes.
More information regarding the scheme please visit:
