Ocean Academy

Project Description

This school fit-out project was undertaken by Mastercraft for the McAvoy Group. Their background is traditionally producing modular buildings for education and healthcare. As they have grown they are increasingly taking on larger projects with both elements of traditional building and modular units. This primary school in Poole had modular classrooms built in their factory while the sports hall and administration space were constructed traditionally on site, using a steel frame. Combining these methods allows for a shortened build time, which is a technique on the increase in the construction industry.

This form of building allowed McAvoy’s to take advantage of Mastercraft’s experience in different elements of construction and project management. We were able to provide them with a package that included, partition walls, drylining, suspended ceilings, joinery and painting, in both the factory and on site.

The modular factory units came with internal walls already constructed, for the classroom wing of the build. On site after the units were fitted together, to form the wing, we taped and jointed the walls; installed the suspended ceilings and fitted the joinery elements.

In the traditional construction element of the sports hall and administration block, we built the high specification partition walls. We achieved this while working closely with the Mechanical and Electrical contractor, to ensure smooth progress throughout the programme. We also installed the suspended ceilings in this area, including ‘Ecophon Meditec’ tiles for the kitchen areas and acoustic ‘Advantage’ tiles in the classrooms (which were especially specified for the school). Joinery items in the traditional construction wing of the project included the supply and fit of screens, doors and pipe casings. Finally, as part of the contract, we painted the internal rooms and corridors of the entire project, leaving an outstanding new school building for the future pupils and teachers.