Why Hampshire County Council chose the Streif system for 3 new schools
For Tier 1 contractors and local authorities, the true measure of a supply chain partner isn’t winning a project—it’s being invited back for the next one. The successful delivery of Newlands Primary Academy, Stanhope Primary School, and Hounsome Fields Primary School stands as a definitive case study in reliability.
Why did Hampshire County Council, alongside Tier 1 contractors Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon, return to Streif for three consecutive major education projects? The answer lies in our ability to adapt our Advanced Timber Construction to specific project demands—whether that means battling winter weather, integrating complex factory finishes, or achieving PassivHaus standards. Here is how the Streif system delivered success across this ‘Hampshire Hat-Trick’.
1. Newlands Primary Academy: Speed in the Face of Adversity
Contractor: Morgan Sindall Challenge: Winter Construction and Speed
Located in Waterlooville, Newlands Primary Academy (Berewood School) required a rapid build to support a new 3,000-home development. The challenge? The build was scheduled during the darkest and wettest months of the year.
Streif overcame this through High Pre-Manufactured Value (PMV). By integrating features external cladding system, electrical conduits & cut outs within the factory, we minimised on-site labour. Work commenced in December and the 1,930 m² structure was handed over in March. This swift four-month on-site period played a significant part in helping Morgan Sindall to meet their July handover target.
2. Stanhope Primary School: Precision at Scale
Contractor: Morgan Sindall Challenge: Efficiency and Integration
For Stanhope Primary School in Aldershot, the requirement was a 2,235 m² two-storey facility to accommodate 420 pupils. The key here was efficiency. Streif utilised large-format prefabricated components that incorporated factory-fitted sub-assemblies, including windows and doors.
This level of offsite integration meant the building envelope was enclosed rapidly, facilitating earlier follow-on trades. From a start date in October, the system was handed over just 5 months later in February, ensuring the project remained on track for its September opening.
3. Hounsome Fields Primary School: The PassivHaus Standard
Contractor: Willmott Dixon Challenge: Sustainability and Air Tightness
Arguably the most technically demanding of the trio, Hounsome Fields school in Basingstoke was designed to strictly adhere to PassivHaus principles. The architect specified Streif because our system is inherently suited to these rigorous energy standards.
Using a timber first approach to minimise steel and cement, Streif delivered a precision-engineered airtight construction. The performance data speaks for itself: the building achieved an exceptional air tightness result of 0.17 ACH @ 50 Pa. This project proves that Streif’s offsite manufacturing is not just fast—it is capable of meeting the industry’s highest sustainability benchmarks.
The Technical Backbone: Why It Works
While each school project had unique highlights, they share the robust technical DNA of the Streif system, crucial for public sector assets:
• Severe Duty Rating: All Streif wall types meet Severe Duty rating ensuring they withstand the rough and tumble of school life.
• Acoustic Control: Walls achieve up to 81 dB acoustic rating, blocking noise transfer between critical spaces.
• Certified Quality: All three projects benefited from Streif’s ISO 9001 and BOPAS accreditations, providing the client with verified assurance of quality and longevity.
Conclusion From the winter speed of Newlands to the PassivHaus precision of Hounsome Fields, these three education construction projects demonstrate why Hampshire County Council and major contractors trust Streif. We don’t just supply timber frames; we deliver certainty.
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