Blog: SECBE Awards 2022 finalist - John Ruskin College

29 March 2022

Value

John Ruskin College (submitted by Red Key Concepts)

Value Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 finalist

Red Key Concepts was appointed as Main Contractor to provide a turn-key solution of which RKC appointed the architects, structural engineers and  M & E consultants as part of the Design team to deliver the 'New Construction Skills' facility required by the college due to their new facility overrunning and there not being enough allocated spaces for the students' requirements. Therefore the students required a new area constructed within the college over a very tight 12 week period to allow for the successful start date of term.

Works included delivering a brand new bespoke carpentry training centre, plumbing training centre and painting and decorating centre out of term time and to a high standard install. All supplies into the facility were upgraded including mains power, data and water. New suspended ceilings were installed to the entire area giving the college maintenance staff access to all supplies above. This itself allowed Red Key Concepts to identify that their existing fire stopping strategy needed to be updated in accordance with the latest regulations- works.

Red Key Concepts feels that this Public Sector project showcases how the company at Red Key Concepts was able to not only design the facility from scratch but obtain client approval within a 14 day period and within their budget. Not only that Red Key Concepts successfully delivered the facility 3 days before the term started!  This allowed the college with circa 20,000 students in total, to be able to offer the course to those enrolled on time and provided the college with a high standard facility for them to use.

During the project Red Key Concepts designed and installed an innovative space solution involving timber pods that would allow installations to be carried out by the students and at the end of each unit replaced at a very low cost to allow replacements for the new students coming through the course, giving them a feel of originality in the facility. This new, cost-effective and space-saving solution enabled the college to have longevity and allow the introduction of new potential building regulations to be taught.

It was paramount that the project in its duration and facilities delivered were as suitable as possible and in accordance with the college's greener ethos and in connection with their recent successful Funding Bid for their Vision for Growth Project. With work planned to commence from 2020, developments are designed with the environment in mind to ensure sustainability and energy efficiency. Their new builds aim to incorporate Low Carbon Technologies.

Bespoke extract systems were installed to ensure the safety of students and to maximise the air quality within the facility. All site staff were encouraged to car share within the boundaries of Covid 19 guidelines.

Key achievements:

• A highly desirable and much-needed facility was delivered to the 20,000 strong student college.

• The facility was delivered on time and within budget.

• It removed any financial penalties that the college may have incurred.

Client: East Surrey College

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Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Ceremony on Thurs 30th June 2022.

About the Value Award: 

Judges are looking for an initiative, project or series of projects that have focused on the value of facilities in use and the outcomes for owners and users. More info

>> Find out more about the other Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards finalists here