PCMS

Clapham Pre-School

2011-12-09T14:24:00.003Z

PCMS has recently completed a very rewarding project in Bedfordshire for Clapham Pre-School. The Pre-School had been based in a modular unit for many years, and the facilities – both outside and in - were deteriorating. The Pre-School Committee decided to seek funding to build a permanent home; through a combination of grants and fund-raising, they raised enough money to construct a new building.

Luckily, there was space on the mixed use site to begin construction whilst the children continued to attend pre-school in the modular unit next door. We designed a striking building, with white rendered walls and an integral canopy with powder coated steel supports, and an unusual sloping roof. The light and airy inside spaces are painted in bright modern colours, and the immediate grounds have been turfed to create a really practical and pleasant outside area for the children and staff.

Louise Tranquada, Chair of Clapham Pre-School, said: "PCMS supported us with our new development project right from the beginning and helped us to navigate our way through, from designing the building to handling the planning consent and procurement process. The children love our new pre-school, and we are so pleased with the result."

Before: 30 year old ‘temporary’ facility

After: Clapham Pre-School’s new home

Children's Centre Design - Inspired by the Modernist Movement!

2011-09-05T14:34:00.016+01:00

PCMS was recently commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council to take an unused building and bring it back to life for use as a Children's Centre.

The building had been unoccupied for some years and was becoming a target for vandals. As it occupies a prominent position next to Tithe Farm Lower School the potential was there to create something to enhance the street scene, and improve the appearance of the school site generally.

The inspiration for the building design was the modernist and cubist art movements of the 20th century. The clean white lines, cube-shaped geometric forms and muted colours of the render in white and grey reflect this, and the modern 'Tithe Farm' inscription down the side of the building echoes that on the Bauhaus design school building in Dessau.

Internally, the building has a large multi-use space for the Children's Centre which has slim line black sliding doors down one wall with views to the green space at the rear of the building, and which provide easy access to the garden during the warmer months. Also on the ground floor is a lobby area and separate kitchen, and on the first floor are administration offices that have a welcoming and bright atmosphere.

The design brief required that the building serve two functions - that of a centre for young families to visit and also as an administration base. A skilful design solution was therefore devised to allow two separate entrances. The building also has an integral canopy which wraps around the building and enhances the overall design. Contemporary seating bollards close to the front entrance reflect the cube theme, and the exterior landscaping is enhanced with basket-weave block paving. All services have been carefully concealed.

The photos show before and after views of the new Children's Centre.

Grand Transformations

2011-08-25T11:29:00.004+01:00

Work has recently been completed on a residential project in Buckinghamshire, much to the delight of the property owners.

Our clients wanted to improve the layout of their kitchen and dining area, and were keen to find a solution to both improve the circulation space around the ground floor and substantially enhance their small kitchen. PCMS suggested integrating the two areas to create one large living space. By removing part of an internal wall, an open and more flexible area was created enabling the client to position a larger dining table for entertaining.

To make the most of the access onto the patio, we specified widening the current opening and fitting a timber folding door. This floor to ceiling door has maximised the natural light which floods into the room, and enabled easy access to the garden. An armchair positioned near the doorway provides a relaxing place to enjoy views into the garden.

In short, the ground floor of the house has been transformed and the owners are very pleased.

Innovative Classroom Solution

2011-08-03T11:05:00.009+01:00

Work has recently been completed on a modular classroom unit at Fairfield Park Lower School in Stotfold, Hertfordshire.

Pupil numbers are steadily increasing due to housing development in the surrounding area, and PCMS was asked by the Headteacher to come up with a sensitive solution to an immediate problem: how to cater for another classroom of children quickly and on a restricted budget.

A limited amount of space was available in the school grounds adjacent to existing buildings, just enough for the construction of a 90m2 modular unit. However, because the School is in an architecturally sensitive area, the challenge was to devise a building that complied with stringent design guidelines. Very careful consideration had to be given to the external design and specification of the building, and a novel solution was to construct a wall in front of the most visible elevation in order to screen the modular unit from view (see photo). Aluminium windows from floor to ceiling provide lots of natural light.

Jenny Stone, Headteacher at Fairfield Park, said “We are delighted that the classroom could be designed and built so quickly. The site has space limitations and conservation issues, but PCMS found a solution that worked for the school and also satisfied the local planning authority.”

Steaming Ahead

2011-05-16T15:02:00.008+01:00

PCMS is currently working on an interesting project for Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway (C&PRR). The historic railway is a popular local tourist and railway enthusiast's centre on the edge of the Chiltern Hills which opens at weekends and holiday times offering steam and diesel train rides along a stretch of some 3.5 miles of former Great Western Railway track

When Taylor Wimpley Homes announced plans to redevelop a large site immediately adjacent to the railway at the former Chinnor Cement Works, an opportunity arose to make some additions and improvements to the railway’s buildings

So now, subject to planning permission, C&PRR volunteers are seeking to build a loco and carriage storage and maintenance shed to be used for their stock of old trains. The proposed shed is 48 x 10 x 5.5 metres (480m²) - large enough to hold all of the equipment and machinery needed. The construction is based upon a steel portal frame with metal clad walls and roof. Detailed plans have been drawn up and a fundraising campaign is underway.

Our role is to provide Construction (Design & Management) Co-ordination Services with the primary function of managing health & safety risks, and to ensure that C&PRR comply with their statutory requirements under the CDM (Construction, Design and Management Regulations) 2007.

Project Manager Alex Bond is leading the CDM Co-ordination activities. As a competent engineer, project manager and CDM Co-ordinator, with experience of industrial, commercial, residential and public-sector construction projects over the last 15 years, he works collaboratively with clients, designers and contractors and is committed to supporting the project process. He is looking forward to seeing the project reach completion.

For more information about C&PRR and the maintenance shed fundraising campaign, please click here: http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/

New Year, New Children's Centre!

2010-12-21T13:09:00.005Z

Another Sure Start Childrens Centre project has just been successfully completed at St Marys VC Lower School in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.

Red Bear Childrens Centre offers a range of workshops, training sessions, outreach services and general helpful advice to families with children under 5 years old. St Marys Lower School has always been actively involved with the local community, and so provided an ideal location for the Children’s Centre.

The extension has been constructed on the west side of the main school building, with a convenient independent entrance for visitors. There’s a large Multifunctional Space with refreshment area, and also an office and separate private consultation room for client meetings. The atmosphere is airy and modern with large double doors letting in lots of sunlight and providing views towards the school grounds. We carefully selected oak effect flooring and paint colours to produce a fresh and colourful interior.

Red Bear Childrens Centre staff are really looking forward to operating from their new base in January. Lesley Talbot, Childrens Centre Development Team Manager, said: “Red Bear Childrens Centre now have a purpose-built facility and so they can continue to develop their support services to families in the local area. The Centre provides a lovely working environment, and we are all so pleased that the project was finished on time and on budget.”

New Nursery Building Delivered in Record Time!

2010-09-29T15:46:00.006+01:00

When Bedford Borough Council offered Footsteps Nursery the opportunity to move to a new location they jumped at the chance. The only proviso was that it had to be achieved in just six months before the start of term in September and this included obtaining planning permission, removing an old modular unit, and designing, constructing and fitting out a new building.

Footsteps Nursery had been operating from The Guide Hut in Bromham, a few miles to the west of Bedford, but in order to thrive and grow they really needed a base of their own. A suitable location became available on the nearby site of Biddenham Upper School.

PCMS was recommended to Footsteps Nursery because of our experience of designing and project managing similar educational schemes. To ensure the building could be delivered on time and also to keep costs tightly controlled we designed a new modular building with a host of child-friendly features including a large internal play space, separate 0-2 year’s room, kitchen and office, together with external decking, play space and disabled access ramp. Care was taken to ensure that the modular building looked good, and the exterior walls are finished with stained ship-lap cladding.

The whole project was delivered in super quick time. The Nursery Manager Sarah Askham is thrilled with the new building: “Our nursery school project had a very tight deadline and a limited budget, but PCMS worked very hard to find a solution. They recommended a modular unit and arranged for everything to be built in the summer holidays to minimise disruption. PCMS ensured that the project was delivered on time and on budget, and both staff and children are delighted with the new nursery.”

New Classroom for Maple Tree Lower School

2010-09-16T12:13:00.004+01:00

Refurbishment and construction works have reached completion stage at Maple Tree Lower School in Sandy, Bedfordshire in time for the start of term in September. PCMS have designed and project managed the contract to complete works on new facilities for children and staff.

The existing early years classroom needed reconfiguring in order to provide the space for additional after school and holiday care. A feasibility study identified areas that could be changed and extended so that a nursery and kids club could be accommodated. The project as a whole inevitably involved a degree of disturbance to normal school activities. However, with careful project management and a phased approach to operations, disruption was kept to a minimum and the school was able to run smoothly throughout.

Teachers and children have now moved into their light and airy new nursery classroom, which has been designed with a separate entrance for parents and carers, a large multi-function play space, a dedicated toilet block, office, and access to a shared kitchen. The nursery and reception classrooms are more closely integrated. PCMS also worked alongside staff to specify the colour schemes and the interior decor of the suite of rooms.

Headteacher Pauline Duncombe is very happy that her school is returning after the summer break with better facilities: “The area that needed altering was built in 2000 as part of a ‘Schools of the Future’ initiative and is quite unusual in terms of design and appearance, but PCMS were sensitive to this in designing an extension to fit in with what was already there. PCMS were also very professional throughout the project, and supported us through the process from design, tendering and selection to completion.”

Laburnum Lower School Opens New Dining Hall

2010-09-16T12:00:00.003+01:00

Work has just finished on a smart new dining hall at Laburnum Lower School in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Due to lack of available space in the main school, meals had previously been served in a temporary modular unit. Central Bedfordshire Council organised its removal, and then local contractors immediately began work on the construction of a new brick built free-standing dining hall. The construction schedule was tight, and time on site was limited to only a few months. Works were completed on time and on budget.
The school is on the edge of a conservation area and the design solution had to be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings. Staff are particularly pleased with the way the dining hall blends so well with the school’s Edwardian style, and fits contextually with the older architecture.

However, the children love the new large room specially reserved for their “school dinners”. There is a serving space, seating areas, separate toilets and hand washing facilities and the decoration scheme has been carefully chosen in harmonious colours. Hopefully the dining hall should stand the school in good stead for many years to come.

Wycombe Carpet Centre

2010-08-24T13:21:00.002+01:00

PCMS were approached recently by Wycombe Carpet Centre to solve a problem for them. They had outgrown the carpet storage facility on site, and needed to find a way to store additional materials in safe, secure and stable conditions.

We came up with a straight forward solution. The yard to the rear of the shop unit was carefully assessed, and we proposed demolishing the existing shed and replacing it with a purpose built two-storey unit of permanent construction. The new storage unit will be more flexible, and makes available a sizeable increase in storage capacity. This will allow Wycombe Carpet Centre to hold more stock, and consequently offer a better service to customers.

Once a proposal and drawings had been approved by the client, an approach was made to Wycombe District Council for pre-application planning advice. Following this, an application for full planning permission was submitted, and this was granted in August. Wycombe Carpet Centre should hopefully have the new storage unit under construction before the end of the year.

Overdale Tots Opens New Building at Putnoe Lower School

2010-04-27T10:04:00.004+01:00

A new pre-school building on the site of Putnoe Lower School was officially opened by the Mayor of Bedford recently. Overdale Tots was previously operating from a spare classroom in the main building, but facilities were inadequate for the operation of a modern pre-school. So funding was secured from the Local Authority for a new specially designed building in the school grounds, with a place setting for 25 children.

PCMS designed the pre-school and acted as project managers during the planning phase, construction and handover. The manager of Overdale Tots, Tracey Woods, took an active role in deciding what features and ancillary facilities should be included. She said, “We have recently moved in to our new building and are so pleased to have the space we need to give the children a proper chance to play and learn. There is lots of outside play space now with doors leading directly from the play room, and a covered area for wetter days. The children and staff are really enjoying the new building”.

PCMS Article in 'Nursery World' Magazine

2010-03-02T11:47:00.004Z

PCMS recently contributed a Case Study to 'Nursery World' magazine, which appeared in the Spring 'Nursery Management' supplement published last week.

Simply left click on the image to view the full article.

New Sure Start Childrens Centre in Sandy

2010-01-20T11:56:00.008Z

The Bedfordshire town of Sandy has recently seen the opening of a new Childrens Centre. PCMS were commissioned by the Early Childhood Intervention & Prevention team at Central Bedfordshire Council to design a purpose-built Sure Start Childrens Centre in the grounds of Laburnum Lower School. The site had limited space, so after carrying out a detailed feasibility study we proposed extending an existing wing of the school in a sympathetic way so as not to affect the overall profile and appearance of the old brick school building. This also minimised the impact on the school grounds and play areas.

Construction works were carried out by Meadsway Construction Ltd of Bedford, whilst PCMS acted as project manager and CDM Co-ordinator.

Sandy Childrens Centre is run by Christian Family Care, and they now have a flexible space to offer vital services to local families. There is a bright, modern room for workshop sessions and parenting classes, which is also used for routine baby clinics. The new centre at Sandy will help to reach out to local children and the wider community.

The project will shortly be enhanced by the addition of a glass outdoor canopy along the length of one wall to provide a small external play and recreation area for the children that visit the Centre.

Kensworth Lower School Opens Early Years Extension

2009-09-30T11:10:00.006+01:00

We are delighted to announce that the Early Years extension at Kensworth Lower School in Bedfordshire has been completed ahead of contract, and in time for the beginning of the autumn term. To the delight of the teaching staff, it took just 16 weeks from the date that the contractors moved onto site before handover of the new setting. The pre-school now has provision for up to 20 children between the ages of 2 and 5 years, with some fantastic play and learning facilities.

The main area is a flexible space allowing a safe and secure environment for children to play and learn, along with supporting facilities such as a new office and toilets. There’s also an external canopy area, and the existing school entrance has been much improved.

The facility was officially opened by the Bishop of Bedford on 18th September. Headteacher Anna Kentish was very happy with the finished result: “PCMS made great efforts to ensure that there was minimum disruption to the school during the construction phase, and we now have a new early year’s facility we can be proud of. We will also be using the space for wrap-around care such as our breakfast and after-school clubs, and possibly even a holiday play scheme.”

Improved Facilities at John Watson School in Wheatley

2009-07-21T15:46:00.005+01:00

John Watson School, which is based a few miles from Oxford in the village of Wheatley, is a community special school that caters for children with Special Educational Needs from the ages of 2 to 19. It has dedicated facilities for children with a range of disabilities, including some with physical impairment.

Members of staff recently approached PCMS to plan and design a quick and cost-effective space reorganisation. They needed a better servery in the dining area; our solution was to design a kitchenette incorporating height-adjustable cabinets, worktop and sink, along with the creation of a new stainless steel serving counter with a roller shutter. Building Control consent has been granted, and the School will be employing a local contractor to complete the works to our design and specification.

In another part of the school there is a poorly laid-out area accommodating male and female WCs, and an unsuitable disabled WC. After undertaking a detailed survey, we have produced plans and a specification to radically improve the use of the internal space, allowing for the installation of a new hot water heater, male and female WCs and a much improved DDA WC. A specialised hoist has been included in the shower facility. John Watson School are delighted in the improvements that will shortly be made to the existing fabric of the building.

Acorn Pre-School Celebrate First Year in New Home

2009-06-10T09:31:00.005+01:00

Acorn Pre-School, which is based in the town of Shefford in Bedfordshire, recently celebrated the first anniversary of moving into their permanent home. PCMS helped them to design a new building to provide enough space for 30 children which also incorporated a kitchen area, toilets, meeting room and separate office. PCMS specified internal fixtures and fittings, carried out a tendering process with local construction firms, and managed the build contract throughout.

The project was finished on time and on budget. Acorn Pre-School Manager Maggie Smith said, "I am so pleased with the new building, and the children have really benefitted from the extra space."

This article appeared in the June edition of 'Under 5', the magazine published by the Pre-School Learning Alliance. Simply left click on the article to read the full version.

New Meeting Room at Shefford Lower School

2009-06-03T11:38:00.005+01:00

The construction of a new meeting room has recently been completed at Shefford Lower School in Bedfordshire.

PCMS helped to overcome a number of design and sequencing challenges at the outset to ensure that the project ran smoothly. Despite the school having been extended a few years ago, previous meeting space had been turned into an IT suite there were limited options for building elsewhere on the school site.

The solution was to infill some ‘dead space’ in a small courtyard area. A set of doors and a window were re-used, and building materials such as bricks and roof tiles were carefully matched with the existing school to achieve a seamless appearance with the new extension.

Best of all, in order to minimise disruption PCMS carefully programmed the construction works to coincide with school holidays. So re-siting of the door, window and path was carried out during the Autumn ½ term holiday, following by digging of the foundations in February and finally the walls, roof and interior fit-out were completed during the Easter break.

The School is very pleased with the finished result. Headteacher Tracey Callender said: “PCMS were on hand to offer reliable advice and expertise from the initial stages and throughout the project, and I would certainly use PCMS again for any similar work at the school.”

PCMS Joins Association for Project Management

2009-06-02T15:02:00.012+01:00

PCMS is pleased to announce that we are now registered as a Corporate member of the Association for Project Management (APM). This demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the professional development of our project and programme management, and is also a sign of our commitment to the profession.

APM gives support in many areas of training and development, and provides opportunities for members to enhance their knowledge and skills by accessing and contributing to leading-edge ideas in the practice of project management.

We have an ongoing commitment to provide an excellent project management service for all of our clients.

Construction Begins at Kensworth Lower School

2009-05-19T12:29:00.005+01:00

Construction work has just begun on a new Early Years Building at Kensworth Lower School in Bedfordshire. Completion is due in time for the start of the new academic year this September. The pre-school currently operates from the school hall, but PCMS have designed a new purpose built facility to cater for up to 20 children. There will be a large internal play area, a covered outdoor play area, WCs, office and kitchenette together with plenty of indoor and outdoor storage. The scheme also includes improvements to the school entrance, providing a new covered entrance canopy.

Headteacher Anna Kentish was delighted to see the works begin. “The whole school is looking forward to this extension, as we will all benefit from the extra space. It will be great for our younger children to have a properly designed area and their own facilities at last.”

PCMS will be acting as project managers throughout the construction phase. Watch this space to see how the project develops!

PCMS Website Relaunch

2009-03-19T15:38:00.008Z

We are very proud to announce that the relaunched PCMS website is now online. The new site clearly offers each of our customer groups - public sector, homeowners, businesses and developers - a clear explanation of how we can help with construction, renovation or refurbishment plans.

Find out everything you need to know about our project management or architectural design services, view case studies of recent jobs, catch up on the latest sector-specific and project news, or ask us to contact you by filling in our simple form.

The website has arrived following careful development, working in partnership with web designers AnnWebCom, as well as a small selection of our satisfied clients.

New Childrens Centre Opens

2009-03-19T15:35:00.001Z

The Sure Start staff based at Ursula Taylor Lower School in Clapham, Bedfordshire are thrilled with their new Children's Centre building, which was completed and handed over in February. The multi-use Centre will allow a variety of child-based activities to take place, such as parenting workshops, drop-in sessions and clinics. The Lower School share the centre for their After School and Holiday Clubs.

Flexible space was created with floor to ceiling sound-proofed folding doors so that the large room can be divided for separate uses. The Centre also includes an entrance canopy, internal kitchenette facilities, baby change units and sinks and plenty of storage. A special anti-slip internal floor and an external play area are two more welcome features.

PCMS had been asked to design and project manage the construction of the extension to an existing school building on behalf of the Sure Start programme, following a track record of working on educational projects. Meadsway Construction was appointed to carry out the building works, and PCMS established a good working relationship with them to enable the project to be completed on time and within budget.

PCMS Secures Planning Permission

2009-03-19T15:28:00.000Z

PCMS has just secured planning permission for a new Early Year's Unit on behalf of Fairfield Park Lower School in Stotfold near Hitchin. Project Manager Alex Bond said, "This is a fascinating project, as the school is part of the Fairfield Park development, a large residential community which has been constructed in the grounds of the former Fairfield Hall psychiatric hospital. The original Victorian building is grade II listed, and any new construction has to closely comply with the Fairfield Park Urban Design Strategy, including new public buildings such as this one within the School boundary."

The Lower School was opened in 2007, and the independent early year's childcare provider currently operating from the School building needs a new facility. PCMS went through a planning and consultation process with Mid-Beds District Council, and took on board their feedback. As a result, designs for a purpose-built separate nursery block were produced that satisfy the requirements of the Urban Design Strategy, but also provide stimulating and spacious accommodation for the pre-school children and staff.

By acting as the School's agent, PCMS have successfully taken the project through the planning approvals process. Construction is set to take place this summer.