Bury Grammar School – Arts Centre

Demolition of existing (part) interfacing building structure, infilling of created void and adjoining external quadrangle with purpose-designed three-storey classrooms and integrated library facilities. The ground floor lobby and circulation zone are contained beneath a full height open structure with a glazed atrium roof. Notable aspects of the scheme included the limited access for construction operations, the site is fully enclosed by relatively tall existing structures and the interfacing with existing floors within the surrounding buildings – necessitating tight limits on relative foundations settlement.
Mini-pile foundations were installed to support a suspended concrete (ground) floor slab and a grid of reinforced concrete ground beams. The super-structure comprised a braced steel framework with composite concrete floor slabs and timber roof constructions of linked flat and pitched profiles.
A notable aesthetic feature of the Arts Centre was presented in the design of vertically clad, cantilever classroom pods which project into the full height Atrium circulation zone.

Comprising internal alterations, infilling of a small quadrangle and a single-storey extension at the front elevation – with external paved frontage and access from the higher (boundary) footpath level. Integrated structures with a combination of steel frame and load-bearing masonry on a conventional concrete pad and strip/trench-fill foundations. The front extension comprised masonry and sheet clad steel frame construction. The formation of large span openings, at the ground floor within the front wall of the existing main building, required the transfer of high loads to a fully designed, section substantial temporary works/propping framework on spreader beams at ground level. Large section steel beam members were installed to span the new openings. Strengthening works were also required to the existing boundary retaining wall by means of an additional masonry skin and reinforced concrete cavity construction.