Project Description

Refurbished Modular Music Rooms: Rapid & Cost-Effective Classroom Expansion

Inspiring the next generation of musicians, our client recognised the need for additional music room teaching space at Skipton Academy.  We met this challenge with creativity and innovation, customising a refurbished modular classroom unit with a steel access ramp that achieved exceptional savings compared to a traditional new build. Explore this project below.

 

Project Overview And Design: Skipton Academy

Sustainable, Fast-Track Modular Music Room Extension

Faced with the need for rapid expansion, Skipton Academy sought a solution to create two high-quality, dedicated classroom spaces without the cost, lead time, and disruption associated with traditional construction.

MPH Building Systems delivered a refurbished, single-storey, five-bay modular building, clad in durable plastisol steel. This approach immediately offered significant savings on new build costs and drastically reduced the site program. The final building provides two distinct teaching areas—a general classroom and a specialist music room—along with a small lobby and a shared plant/storeroom.

Project Challenges

Efficient Site Installation & Foundation Innovation

To maintain the rapid timeline and minimise disruption to the school grounds, the MPH team innovated the foundation strategy. A plate load test was conducted on the existing tarmac hardstanding, confirming its load-bearing suitability.

This positive result allowed for the use of simple blockwork piers built directly off the tarmac surface, completely eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming excavated mass concrete foundations. This non-invasive approach significantly reduced site preliminaries, overall costs, and ensured the facility was fully fitted and ready for student use immediately following the summer break.

Installation And Outcome

External Works And Access

Service connections were achieved efficiently via a trench from the neighbouring building, tying into the existing surface water drainage system. This work provided all essential utilities, including electrical power, data infrastructure, alarm systems, and included future provision for incoming water and additional drainage.

In compliance with Part M building regulations, level access was delivered via a modular steel access ramp, complete with steps and landings leading to fire exit doors located at each gable end.

Interior Customisations And Upgrades

High Quality Internal Refurbishment

The interior was comprehensively refurbished and reconfigured to create bright, modern learning environments. Both classrooms benefit from suspended ceilings, modern LED panel lighting, new floor coverings, updated window blinds, and fully refreshed internal finishes throughout.

  • General Classroom: Offers a contemporary teaching environment complete with a dedicated teaching wall.
  • Specialist Music Room: The layout was adapted to be spacious, featuring perimeter benching to accommodate a full class, their instruments, and ample workspace. The room is further enhanced with integrated teaching wall facilities and additional flexibility provided by Dedicated Service Socket Outlets (DSSOs) mounted in floor boxes. This allows for easy plug-in access for various equipment, including keyboards, electric drum kits, and guitars.