Varndean College, New STEM Building

Client:	Varndean College
Architect:	The Seaman Partnership
QS:	Julian Church & Associates
M&E:	Crofton Consulting
Value:	£2.9m
Programme:	52 weeks

This two storey STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Building at Varndean College was procured using the JCT Design & Build form of contract and provided modern teaching accommodation comprising four science laboratories, five teaching areas and one SEN classroom with offices, staf-froom and ancillary facilities across 1230m2 of floor space. Plan-ning requirements required the building to be designed and con-structed to a BREEAM standard of ‘Very Good’.

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (28)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (31)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (42)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (36)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (5)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (26)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (25)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (35)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (4)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (33)(1.0)

Varndean College

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (13)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (30)(1.0)

AFPC – P18-1376 – Varndean College – completion photos – HIGH resolution (38)(1.0)

The new building is located directly above a network of WWII air raid shelters presenting the unusual challenge of designing foun-dations around and over these structures without making con-tact with them and, thus, also determining the finished floor lev-el. Strategically placed CFA reinforced concrete piles supported concrete ground beams upon which a suspended reinforced con-crete ground floor slab was poured.

The superstructure comprises a structural steel frame with a composite metal floor pan and low profile concrete floor to first floor level. External walls comprised a local brick outer skin combined with powder coated steel cladding over a Metsec framework and insulation system. Velfac windows are fitted to all elevations, together with steel security doors at all exits and an automatic front door system.

The roof structure comprises a metal deck with 125mm Kingspan insulation and a single ply roof covering over. The roof has 16no. rooflights and AOV’s grouped in a symmetrical pattern directly above the atrium and feature stair.