Our Projects

Advanced Construction Skills Centre

A new 3,500m2 Advanced Construction Skills Centre (ACSC) adjacent to the South Bristol Skills Academy.

Clarkebond provided the structural design of the steel superstructure, composite slabs on the first floor and plant room area on the roof level, all foundations, suspended slab on beams and ground bearing slab on ground floor level. We also provided a flood risk assessment and SuDS.

To deal with the ground conditions and varying site levels one third of the ground floor slab area has been designed as a suspended slab with integral ground beams in both directions, spanning the foundations.

Changes to the construction sequence and waterproofing details during construction meant ground beams had to be cast prior the ground floor slab as a different pour programme. This required additional design calculation and capacity checks for the provided shear reinforcement between beams and slab.

Clarkebond also provided a design solution for the complex steel roof form and intricate eaves detail. This design required skilful 3D modelling and coordination, so the complicated steel connections and details were successfully fabricated and installed.

Sustainable and Low/Zero Carbon Technologies features include:

• Roof-mounted PV array
• Internal layout designed to maximise natural light
• Installation of bat and bird boxes
• Bicycle storage
• 99.9% of non-hazardous waste diverted from landfill
• 100t of topsoil donated to nearby gym project
• 20 pallets of unused blocks donated to the college.

After tender returns completion we worked with the appointed contractor to reduce the total cost of the project. This was achieved by reasonable changes in the architectural, landscape and civil & structural design, without compromising the final design intents.

Awards:

The Advanced Construction Skills Centre has won the following awards:

  • Winner of Bristol Property Awards ‘Civic Development’ 2021
  • Winner of South West Property Awards’ Development of the Year 2021
  • ACSC has been awarded the ‘Levelling Up’ Award, which recognises its contribution to improve Bristol South through its growing provision

For further information – Bristol City Council

Project Facts

  • Practical completion was achieved in July 2021
  • Client: City of Bristol College
  • The project achieved BREEAM status of ‘Very Good’.
  • The ACSC increased the number of apprenticeships the college can deliver, creating 300 vacancies