Sustainable educational building: Hailsham Community College

Sustainable educational building project client

Streif’s advanced closed panel timber system was selected for Hailsham Community College’s sustainable educational building project. Working with Morgan Sindall, we carried out the technical design, manufacture and installation. This achieved an early completion, a BREEAM Very Good rating and calculated carbon savings of 1164 tonnes.

Sustainable educational building brief

Hailsham Community College Academy Trust (HCCAT) was an East Sussex County Council (ESCC) project secured through the Orbis Framework.

The need for more secondary school places and an increase in SEN provision was highlighted in ESCC’s School Organisation Plan 2022-2026. Unable to accommodate the proposed demand, the college was keen to provide new facilities as soon as possible.

Morgan Sindall (the main contractor) appointed Streif UK to deliver the superstructure for this sustainable educational building — our closed panel structural timber building system.

Sustainable educational building solution and process

After an initial feasibility study suggested a new steel frame structure in a central location that presented logistical challenges, our MMC solution was put forward.

We provided our advanced closed panel timber building system in line with the client’s budget and programme while making carbon savings. Our offsite manufactured timber frame option was not only more sustainable, but it reduced the risk of cost increases for materials such as concrete and steel during an unstable economic climate.

Repositioning the proposed build also meant the college did not lose any of their existing hard standing. Placed on the edge of the existing campus, our construction was less disruptive and safer in a live learning environment.

The new three-storey space includes an extra 22 classrooms, a flood-lit all-weather pitch, a new SEN facility, a newly refurbished sixth form centre and a library. A Total of 400 extra spaces have been created for 11-16-year-olds and sixth form students.

Our closed panel structural timber building system comprised:

265 individually designed timber wall panels
239 timber floor cassettes
107 timber roof cassettes

Using only 31 artic trailers, these were delivered in sections –– with pre-installed windows, doors, wall linings, insulation, external membranes and first fix components such as conduits within walls. This enabled us to completed assembly in just 15 weeks.

The offsite solution reduced deliveries by around 50, compared to a traditional timber frame. This reduced commuting mileage for associated operatives by 90%.

Key environmental benefits included:

BREEAM — Our timber panels make the school environmentally friendly. The design achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating.

Embodied carbon — We source all timber from sustainably managed forests, lowering embodied carbon levels compared with steel or concrete alternatives. CarboniCa, Morgan Sindall’s RICS compliant whole-life carbon assessment tool, proved a saving of 1164 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and 111,327 transport miles.

Waste reduction — Our offsite manufactured building solution cut down on waste generated by packaging, deliveries and onsite work. General waste costs were reduced by approximately 30% compared to traditional forms of construction.

CCS champions — Taking activity offsite improved the environmental conditions for the nearby residential estate. Morgan Sindall achieved a CCS score of 43 and internal Gold standard for air quality and water reduction.

Watch our drone footage to get the full sense of why our closed panel structural timber building system was the best solution for the HCCAT construction project.

Sustainable educational building key challenges

The global pandemic meant we had to work differently on this sustainable educational building project. But, thanks to the use of our building system and the project team’s adaptability, there were no delays and minimal onsite contact. As supported by the main contractor’s project manager, Rob Hendley of Morgan Sindall Construction:

“The preconstruction stage of the HCCAT project was completed during COVID so all the design was completed via Teams calls using BIM models. Streif’s ability to use BIM enabled a fully coordinated design to be completed and meant there were no issues with clashes during the construction phase.

“When it came to the construction phase, they surpassed expectations. The onsite team impressed with their level of detail, accuracy and efficiency during the installation. They delivered a high-quality product ahead of programme.”

Sustainable educational building project results

The sustainable educational building project at Hailsham Community College was well received by the main contractor, the client and the school.

Phil Matthews, Executive Principal at HCCT, said:

“What has been accomplished over the past two years has been quite remarkable at a time of dealing with a global pandemic but still managing to keep the various aspects of the project on track in a ‘live’ and active school…

…We have found them to be highly professional and considerate to the needs of the college and the fact that they have managed to deliver this project ahead of schedule is impressive under the circumstances.”

Alice Smyth, Programme Manager at East Sussex County Council, added:

“East Sussex CC and Hailsham Academy Trust School are delighted with the successful completion of the new education facility at the school campus.

“The choice of construction method and materials enabled a fast-track delivery, which minimised the disruption to the school operation, reduced construction traffic and therefore the impact on the local community”.

The Streif UK team was delighted to deliver yet another high-quality learning environment for an East Sussex education facility. The children and staff now benefit from a comfortable, healthy space with a natural feel and aesthetic only achieved with timber. Read more about our buildings for the education sector.