ISG Jackson Special Projects completes new sports hall facility for Norwich School
(05/01/2010)

ISG Jackson Special Projects has successfully completed a £2.3 million project to build a new sports hall facility at Town Close House Preparatory School in Norwich. The contractor has also negotiated a second phase of works at the school, securing a £570K fast-track project to convert the former sports hall into a new performing arts centre.

The contemporary sports hall structure, designed by LSI Architects, provides a pleasing contrast to the school’s existing Georgian and Victorian buildings, with curved exposed timber beams and a complex curvilinear roof structure key elements of the new facility. Built to Sport England specifications, the hall houses a multi-use sports court with a sprung timber floor and large male and female changing facilities at ground floor level, with a viewing gallery and staff areas on the first floor.

Following the successful completion of the landmark sports hall building, ISG Jackson Special Projects were invited to negotiate the second phase of the development. Work is now well underway on this fast-track scheme to create a new performing arts centre in the vacant former sports hall.

The conversion of the hall sees the contractor undertake a comprehensive programme of internal and external refurbishment. The building will be re-roofed and a number of ‘wind catcher’ units installed at roof level to drive the environmentally sustainable passive ventilation system. New window openings will be formed, a suspended ceiling installed and high performance insulation applied to the existing walls, which will be acoustically boarded. Tiered seating for an audience of 220 will be constructed, along with a new glazed viewing gallery, with a lighting and audio control centre in the existing gallery area.

Stuart Talbot, divisional director for ISG Jackson Special Projects, commented: "Repeat business represents an important work stream for ISG Jackson Special Projects and is key indicator of client satisfaction. We have worked closely with Town Close House Preparatory School to deliver an outstanding new sporting facility within a building that raises the bar for regional architectural design.

“The second phase of work provides an excellent example of our credentials working with existing structures in busy live environments. The project has been carefully scheduled to minimise disruption to staff and pupils and an accelerated programme will see the new performing arts centre open early in the New Year.”