Streif's system has been specified for a new Primary school in Waterlooville, Hampshire, which has been built to address the increased need for education spaces, due to a 3000 home development in the local area. Once on site, building the entire frame only took 3 months, a feat which is even more remarkable considering this was also done in the darkest and wettest months of the year.
Newlands Primary Academy, also known as Berewood School, is a new 1.5FE primary school designed to accommodate 315 pupils across two storeys. The school was commissioned by Hampshire County Council, designed by the Council’s in-house architecture team and built by main contractor, Morgan Sindall.
Located in Waterlooville, Hampshire, the project addresses the increased demand for school places resulting from a 3,000-dwelling development in the area. The school features a timber and brick clad exterior with steel canopies, and its construction significantly leveraged off-site manufacturing.
The Role of Streif’s Timber System:
Streif played a pivotal role in the efficient and high-quality delivery of Newlands Primary Academy through its advanced timber system. Their involvement began with main contractor, Morgan Sindall, in September 2024, with Streif commencing work in December 2024 and achieving handover in March 2025 – a remarkably swift three-month on-site period for their scope.
How Streif’s Timber System Benefited the Project:
- High Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV): A core strength of Streif’s approach is its commitment to very high levels of PMV. This was achieved by integrating as many features, finishes, and services as possible during the factory production process. This included everything from the structural frame to plumbing, base coat renders, and even integrated roller shutters. By performing these tasks in a controlled factory environment, Streif significantly reduced on-site labour requirements and potential delays.
- Accelerated Construction Timeline: The extensive pre-fabrication facilitated by Streif’s timber system was instrumental in the rapid project delivery. The quick handover of the Streif elements in March 2025 allowed Morgan Sindall to meet their overall handover target of July 2025, ensuring the school could open as planned in September 2025. This speed is crucial for projects with tight deadlines driven by community growth.
- Quality and Precision: Factory-controlled manufacturing ensures a high level of quality and precision that is often challenging to achieve with traditional on-site construction. The integration of various components and finishes in the factory minimizes the risk of errors and ensures consistency throughout the build.
- Material Efficiency and Sustainability: Timber frame construction is inherently more sustainable than many traditional building methods due to timber being a renewable resource. In addition, the use of a timber system generally contributes to a lower carbon footprint.
- Minimised On-Site Disruption: By fabricating the majority of the structure off-site, Streif’s system significantly reduced the amount of on-site work, leading to less noise, dust, and disruption to the local community and surrounding areas. Having less people and machinery on site also contributes to improved Health and Safety.
Conclusion:
The construction of Newlands Primary Academy serves as a compelling example of how Streif’s timber system, with its emphasis on high pre-manufactured value, can deliver complex educational facilities efficiently, to a high standard and to tight deadlines. The speed of construction, coupled with the quality and precision inherent in off-site manufacturing, demonstrably contributed to the successful and timely opening of this vital community asset.
