About the Project

Merstham Park School

Construction of 900-pupil secondary school, completed in 57 weeks.

Gavin Ward constructed this groundbreaking scheme out of 178 factory-built modules, representing the module maker’s biggest build to date. With a project objective of minimising as far as practicable the operational carbon emissions from the 6,850sqm building, Gavin has effectively influenced the design and build of future government-funded schools by exceeding all key client requirements.

His well-executed implementation of modern methods of construction and deployment of digital technology cut predicted operational energy consumption by more than 73% (the airtightness figure easily outperforms the Building Regs requirement) and carbon emissions by almost 60%. Solar panels generate up to 44% of the school’s peak energy demand.

Insights gained from previous projects allowed Gavin to avoid potential cost implications and delays. Knowing, for example, that designing the door linings for internal openings to be the exact width of the wall would likely result in adjustments and costly rework as it left no allowance for the installation of plasterboard and architrave, he had the lining width modified by 5mm. A minor adjustment, but one that ensured right-first-time installation.

His many innovations included the relocation of a legacy building of six modules by using a six-point lifting frame to split it into two halves instead of individual modules. He also strategically resequenced to protect the critical path following significant delays in the facade installation.