Highfields School – Multi-purpose Sports Hall

Elliott Off-Site Building Solutions was awarded the design and build contract for the new development of a multi purpose sports hall at Highfields School, Letchworth. Working closely with clients Herts.C.C and Mace the designated consultants, the construction was completed in just 34 weeks, 4 weeks before programme.

The sports hall was required to meet the Sport England standards and consisted of 4 courts over a 600m2 area. Contained within the building all necessary changing, shower and storage facilities were installed and fitted out to the client’s specifications.

The main structure of the building is steel frame with internal walls to full height panted block construction and a barrel vault roof. Timber frame technology was utilised in the single storey areas and the external finishes were a combination of cedar cladding, brickwork and monocouche render.

Within the specification the hall required retractable basketball goals, electric scoreboard, cricket netting with wall hung storage, floor sockets for volleyball posts and the desired floor markings for pitches.

Due to the wide range of activities taking place in the building it was necessary to provide higher than standard heating requirements, adjustable lighting levels and a suitable acoustic performance.

Office space, reception, changing facilities and teaching spaces benefitted from underfloor heating and heat exchange ventilation units.

The sports hall was naturally ventilated with passive stack devices mounted in the roof with remote sensors and automated motorised damper controls. Heating was provided through high level gas fired Ambi-Rad panels controlled remotely by fully programmable switchgear.