FORDINGBRIDGE
Modern architecture relies on providing aesthetic, sustainable
designs to achieve the clients brief. Focus on how the building
interacts with it’s environment, and how it allows people to relate to
it, are just as important as ever.
However, the public has changed. City Centre regeneration schemes
are rife. Well established high street retailers are falling. The general
publics’ approach to product and acquisition is now a far cry from
what it once was, with the “Prime Generation” expecting completion
on a pre-noon, next day delivery. A result of our expectations for
quick, simplistic processes, thankfully backed with innovative
approaches to construction, now mean that we are in an industry
that, with careful planning and the right choices, can deliver on this
front successfully. Modular, offsite, prefabricated; all of these terms
are synonymous with modern building and, when applied correctly,
lead to exciting projects delivered with mind-blowing speed.
Working with the example of healthcare, whereas a traditionally
built ward or extension could take in excess of a year to commission,
a new facility can now go from approval to completion in a
number of weeks. This of course will only happen with the right
team; the right kit of parts who are able to translate the architects
interpretation of the brief and deliver to the client. Similarly so,
schools and academies are now specifying these methods in new
construction. Modular buildings are far from the boxy containers of
old. While these still provide a very important role in each sector,
modern design enables the architect to create aesthetic projects
within a drastically reduced timeframe. All that then remains is
external landscaping, both hard and soft, to complete the vision.
It is with particular emphasis on the hard landscaping aspect that
more creative visuals can be delivered, allowing the build to detract
further still from boxy preconceptions. An example of this is the
recently completed Emergency Ward expansion at Poole Hospital
in Dorset. Working directly with the NHS Trust, one of the country’s
leading modular build firms delivered the new project in readymade
sections by crane and it’s completion was reached in excellent
time. The finished visual was achieved with the installation of a
large architectural canopy, over sailing the entrance to the ward and
providing valuable shade and weather protection for patients and
staff alike.
Similarly, schools and academies, who receive and lose points on
regulatory reporting with regards to shade and weather protection,
can also reap the benefits with the addition of canopies on their
new modular installations. With a growing awareness on UV risk
and climate change in the UK, these factors prove necessary at
a specification stage and including such additions in a principal
plan, ensure that the clients brief is met totally, with no further
requirement for later additions.
One firm which has successfully delivered such instalments is
Fordingbridge, a design and build specialist in West Sussex. “We
are lucky in that we have chance to work across a great number
of varying sectors,” explains Stephen Toone, Managing Director of
the firm. “We like to think we are an innovative engineering firm.
We manufacture and prefabricate all our products in-house so that
the installation time on site is minimal. Along with more traditional
contractors, we’re seeing a great deal of work with modular firms.
Everyone appreciates the final touch our products offer for a
building, and we’re proud that we can deliver them so promptly.”
Fordingbridge also produce pre-engineered building frameworks
from their custom developed Arundel factory. Garden centres,
exhibition buildings for Zoo’s, coffee shops, even A&E wards.
Their team of structural designers work solidly to ensure every
calculation is on the nose, ready for their craftsmen, also in-house,
to produce the framework components. Their approach to work,
allows for the rapid installation of impressive steel and timber
structures that grace hospitals, leisure facilities and schools up and
down the country. “We undertake all of the pre-fabrication here,
leaving minimal disruption to the client onsite,” explains Toone.
“We prefab all of our structural components offsite, meaning that
once the groundworks are completed, the structure can be erected
in a small number of days rather than weeks. It is great to see the
reaction from the client or contractor when we get to work; our
process is seriously quick.”
With such a wide commercial portfolio, Fordingbridge have
a number of processes in place that promote results through
relationships. Working closely either directly with the client, or via
an architect or contractor, they ensure a full understanding from the
outset allowing for a minimum of disruption and measured results.
“We undertake installations in live hospitals, schools and Zoos, so
prefab is a longstanding prerequisite rather than just a buzz word
for us,” Stephen confirms. “We can’t ask a hospital to completely
close for a few months while we do our bit. It is a case of do as
much as we can offsite, arrive and install. Our position is enviable.
We have our own structural drawing team, our own engineers and
factory, our own logistics and our own installers. All these factors
make our process and products exceptional.”
The company’s portfolio is an impressive one and chances that
either yourself, family or your colleagues have interacted with a
Fordingbridge product is high. Installing hundreds of steel and
timber canopies, walkways and shelters throughout schools,
hospitals and theme parks, their experience in this field alone is
broad enough. Combine this with the inspired commercial building
back catalogue and the offering becomes even more enticing.
www.fordingbridge.co.uk