Christ’s Hospital School

Background

Cost control throughout the design and construction of a modern education building within a Grade II listed site area.

Established in 1552, Christ’s Hospital is steeped in heritage. The present campus, opened in 1902, is comprised of majestic buildings, a spectacular Quad and sweeping sports fields. All the buildings are listed and there are over 800 boarders in total, with all pupils and teachers living on site.

This project involved the construction of a new three storey building to house Christ’s Hospital’s languages and ICT facilities, as well as a new library and study area and the relocation of the client’s existing IT department.

Our Role

Stace were appointed as both Cost Managers and Employers Agents for the construction of the new Language and Resource Centre on the sensitive bluecoat school site. Stace worked with Miller Bourne Architects to successfully secure planning permission for the Centre, incorporating the new building into the existing site by using traditional materials and design, yet including contemporary touches and a modern interior. Not just limited to the design and IT facilities, this included an innovative services strategy which allowed the use of natural ventilation.

A large part of the project was ensuring that the development works were carried out with minimal disruption, in order to allow the school to continue its usual standard of operation throughout construction. This had to be achieved whilst still maintaining costs at an economic level for the client.

Our Impact

The anticipated level of project funding was reduced during the pre-contract phase, which necessitated a review of the overall budget strategy. Benchmarking exercises were produced by Stace to show comparisons between other selected projects and thus demonstrate that value was being achieved.

One of the main obstacles on this project was the requirement for value engineering prior to the contract sum being agreed and the project starting on site. The design team were heavily involved in a lengthy value engineering to meet the strict budget aspirations of the school. This involved Stace’s Quantity Surveying team recommending and providing budgets for alternative materials, and methods of construction for consideration by the School. This process was simplified by the selection of a main contractor, who provided vital input into the identification of cost savings, whilst still providing an end product that fully met the school’s requirements.

The project was completed on time and within budget and Stace are working with Christ Hospital School on the next phase of their expansion.

The school has also provided some excellent feedback following completion, and we can confirm that the building has been functioning to the high standard required by the school.

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