Doran Consulting was appointed to provide the structural and civil engineering design services for this major, phased development of Regent House School. Phase 1 consisted of a large 2-storey steel framed teaching block extension, CDT Block and refurbishment of the main school. The associated Technical Design Block highlights the structural form with exposed multi-bay steel portal frames to provide a high tech quality to the building.
The Phase 1 buildings were finished to a high standard of workmanship giving the school a high quality facility. The classroom space has been designed to be adaptable for changes in use, giving flexibility to the users. The use of traditional external facing brickwork will reduce maintenance problems in the future.
The refurbishment work in the main school involved detailed analysis of the existing structural frame to provide new openings in existing walls and new classroom partitions. To comply with disability regulations a new lift was introduced, which involved a piled reinforced concrete lift pit and a steel framed shaft. The refurbishment work was carried out in phases to facilitate the continuing smooth operation of the school.
Phase 2 comprised a 21 classroom block, a 75 seat lecture/ drama theatre and a music block extension. The lecture/ drama theatre has a butterfly-shaped roof supported on exposed steelwork frames. Special consideration was given to the support of audio reflectors to enhance the acoustics of the theatre. Part way into the development, it was decided to add a fitness suite.