View source for Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Asaph, Denbighshire

==Article in [http://www.newsteelconstruction.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/digi/NSCJuly2016digi/index.html#/24/ NSC July/August 2016]==
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'''A lesson in offsite fabrication'''<br>
The [[Construction|construction]] of a North Wales [[Education_buildings|school]] has reaped the benefits of using [[The_case_for_steel#Offsite fabrication for precision parts|offsite fabrication]] as weeks have been shaved off of the [[Construction|construction]] programme.<br> 
''By Martin Cooper''<br>

One of the leading Welsh languages schools, Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, North
Wales, is undergoing a £14.5M development that will extend and improve the [[Education_buildings|school]] site to accommodate an increase in demand for spaces, as well as providing new, modern facilities. Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government, through the 21st Century Schools programme, are funding the project.

A new [[Braced_frames|steel-framed]] teaching block, where a number of time-saving [[The_case_for_steel#Offsite fabrication for precision parts|offsite manufacturing]] procedures have been utilised, is the cornerstone of the entire development. Once this building is completed and open later this year, with students and staff fully decamped in it, phase two of the scheme will begin which includes refurbishing the existing [[Education_buildings|school structures]].

[[Construction|Construction]] work began in November last year with main contractor Willmott Dixon relocating approximately 20,000m<sup>3</sup> of earth in order level the former playing field site in readiness for the build programme. “No material left site as it was all moved to another area of our plot to be used later in creating new playing pitches for the school,” explains Willmott Dixon Construction Manager Brian Hanlon.
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As with many [[Construction|construction]] projects time is of the essence and the [[Education_buildings#Attributes of steel construction|choice of steel]] as the framing solution for this job has paid off. Due to a few inclement weather stoppages and a period of downtime to relocate some great crested newts from the site, the project may well have found itself behind schedule. However, due to the steel package being completed in eight weeks, instead of the projected 13, the job is actually ahead.

“We pre-assembled all of the steel window frames at our facility, which then speeded up our programme on site considerably,” says EvadX Managing Director Simon Adams. “The [[Infill_walling#Light steel framed infill walls|cold rolled framing system]] was then fixed to the window frames on site onto previously [[Fabrication#Welding|shop-welded]] connections, which allowed the remaining [[Steel_construction_products#.27Light_steel.27_sections|cold rolled elements]] to be installed quickly.”

Another time saving procedure EvadX used for their steel package was to supply and manufacture balustrades for the areas of the first and second floors that overlook the central [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium Roofs and Sky lights|atrium]]. Again these were fixed to beams on site with the beams having [[Fabrication#Welding|shop-welded]] connections to receive the balustrades that made installation quicker. The balustrades have also doubled up as [[Construction#Edge protection|edge protection]] during the [[Construction|construction]] programme.

“Basically once an area of the main steel frame was [[Construction#Steel erection|erected]] we had another gang following on behind immediately installing the [[Infill_walling#Light steel framed infill walls|cold rolled elements]],” adds Mr Adams. “This meant the building was watertight much quicker.”

Overall the new three-floor steel teaching block is a rectangular building measuring 60m x 40m that will be connected to the existing school via a first floor enclosed 11.5m-long link [[Bridges|bridge]]. “The structure is [[Education_buildings#Attributes of steel construction|a steel-frame for a number of reasons]],” says Caulmert Director Paul Savile. “Contractor preference, the building lends itself to a [[Design|steel design]], while resource availability in North Wales favours steel.”

[[Construction#Steel erection|Erected]] around a regular 7.4m [[Concept_design#Floor grids|grid pattern]], the steel frame supports [[Steel_construction_products#Decking for floors|metal decking]] flooring and gains its [[Concept_design#Structural options for stability|stability]] from discreetly placed [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|K-bracing]], mostly positioned in partition walls. The [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|K-bracing]] consists of [[Steel_construction_products#Structural hollow sections|hollow sections]] that also support the building’s [[Facades_and_interfaces|cladding]], thereby creating a reduced wall thickness and flush internal walls. This has also created a cost saving as the building has a reduced footprint that in turn equals less materials.
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The building’s internal make-up consists of classrooms arranged around the upper two floors, with each floor containing a circulation route that wraps around an internal [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium Roofs and Sky lights|atrium]]. A link [[Bridges|bridge]] crosses the [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium Roofs and Sky lights|atrium]] at the top level, adding architecturally to the [[Design|design]] and providing extra circulation. “This link [[Bridges|bridge]], as well as the one spanning between the new build and the existing school, would have been too heavy if we hadn’t gone for a [[Design|steel design]],” adds Mr Savile.

The ground floor of the new building will also house some teaching space, along with a dinner/canteen area and a performance space with terraced seating occupying the open column-free space within the [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium Roofs and Sky lights|atrium]]. Three roof lights positioned in the [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs#Atrium Roofs and Sky lights|atrium’s]] ceiling will allow plenty of natural daylight to flood into the ground floor and the inner parts of the school.

The new extension will be fully occupied at the beginning of the New Year and Willmott Dixon will then start refurbishing the existing school buildings and creating new playing fields, with the entire project due for completion in September 2017.

==Student visit==
Prior to the [[Construction#Steel erection|steel erection]] programme getting under way, students from Ysgol Glan Clwyd were given a unique first-hand experience when they visited the EvadX facility near Rhyl. They saw the production of the steel frame that has formed the structure of the school’s brand new teaching accommodation.

A total of 21 pupils were able to see the [[Fabrication#Fabrication processes|fabrication process]], from the detailed [[Design|design]] and creation of the 3D model within Evadx’s drawing office, to the CNC machinery in the factory, to the planning for the [[Fabrication#Handling and transportation|delivery]] and [[Construction#Steel erection|erection]] of the steel frame. EvadX also gave pupils an insight and view of the industry, informing students of the apprenticeship opportunities in the industry and specifically in relation to EvadX.
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The visit was extremely fruitful for one student. Morgan Davies was so impressed by what he saw he immediately applied to be taken on as an apprentice in the EvadX drawing office. He starts his new career at EvadX later this year and the company has also enrolled him in a specialist training course at Stafford College.

EvadX Managing Director Simon Adams said: “It was great to have the pupils visit the EvadX factory. It has allowed them to appreciate the [[Fabrication#Fabrication processes|processes]] involved in the production of the steel frame.” Assistant Head teacher of Ysgol Glan Clwyd John Evans added: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to experience the production of the steel frame. It is important for pupils to have an understanding of what is involved and visits such as this puts into perspective the work they do in lessons.”

Interestingly, Morgan will not be the first pupil from Ysgol Glan Clwyd to work at EvadX, the company’s Quality Manager Robert Evans, previously went to the school.

{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|-
|'''Architect'''||Bond Bryan Architects
|-
|'''Structural Engineer'''||Caulmert
|-
|'''Steelwork Contractor'''||EvadX
|-
|'''Main Contractor'''||Willmott Dixon
|-
|'''Main Client'''||Denbighshire County Council
|}

[[Category:Case studies - Education buildings]]