Vertical Schools

As the number of vertical schools being constructed across Australia and New Zealand increases, the need for experience in these projects is also growing. These developments are a combination of many regular projects within one; high acoustic specifications, indoor sporting integrations, highly trafficable sections, open plan areas, large wet spaces, and services coordination.  Christchurch’s Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery School, was a great example of how these elements came together in a vertical school. The project culminated in a unique space for over 800 students in one building, designed to give students the opportunity to learn in an ‘outside the box’ environment. The central atrium, stairwell, social and eating spaces created a heart to the school, and the ‘learning communities’ on each floor enable the building to work as a whole. A large hall/sporting area on the top floor provided some complication, however with the use of progressive LVL (laminated veneer lumber) in combination with standard thin gauge steel, solutions were found, all the while maintaining the acoustic requirements. BVT carried out the engineering design and construction monitoring for all partitions and ceilings throughout the project, while coordinating with the services to minimise on site complications and clashes. The most significant attribute we added to the project was value engineering, reducing construction time and material costs through a collaborative approach with the subcontractor.  On any multi level project there is the potential for significant cost savings through investment in practical and experienced engineering, this is magnified for vertical education facilities where the performance requirements and functionality of spaces are specified with more detail and care.  If you want to discuss how we can bring a broad range of interior engineering and design project experience together for vertical school construction, please get in touch. Image: Stephenson Turner (S&T)