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Work progressing well on library extension at Newmarket Academy
Construction of the new library extension at Newmarket Academy has reached a key stage with the erection of a steel frame forming the striking façade of the new building.
Designed by architects Wincer Kievenaar and built by SEH French, the opportunity has been taken to have a structurally exposed steel frame.
Usually the steelwork would be internal within the thermal envelope of the building. However, to avoid internal columns and allow the structure to stand out, the steelwork will continue outside the main walls of the library extension.
The 15 columns will then be coated, and fire protected in a gold paint to captivate students and provide an attractive beacon for learning at the heart of the academy.
Erected over a week, the completed steel structure is 10 metres tall and will create over 155 square metres of internal space as an insulated box sitting within the steelwork frame.
The frame was designed by DMR Structural, and QR Engineering used around 50 tonnes of steel to make the frame which was fabricated at their workshop in Besthorpe near Attleborough.
Another key element was to keep the frame rigid and robust, so Wincer Kievenaar appointed Superstructures to specially design the cross bracing of the diagonal members, to give the building enhanced structural stability
Phil Branton, director at Wincer Kievenaar, explained: “As architects we have worked hard to ensure the library extension fits in well with the surrounding academy and, not only gives an exciting visual impact, but provides a fun and inspiring place to learn.”
Work is due to be completed late August 2019 with students benefitting from the library from the start of the new school year.
Nick Froy, headteacher at Newmarket Academy, said: “We are delighted that work on our new library is progressing so well and it is very exciting to see the steel frame structure now in place.”
The state-of-the-art library was made possible thanks to a generous gift from Godolphin founder His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
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