Adaptable Sports Hall Supports Expansion at Treetops School

Four classrooms first, a multi-court sports hall later, all within one permanent building designed to adapt.

The Background

Treetops School had reached capacity and the new Treetops Free School was being built next door, along with a permanent sports hall for both schools and the wider community. With construction still 12 months from completion and demand for places high, the school wanted to start admitting pupils sooner.

The Challenge

To open early, Treetops Free School needed four classrooms as well as indoor sports space. Rather than invest in a building that would become redundant once the permanent classrooms opened, the school wanted one structure that could meet its immediate teaching needs and then become the sports facility originally planned once the main school was complete.

That meant finding a way to divide the hall into classrooms without limiting how it could be used for sport later.

The Solution

Smart-Space was appointed by the main DFA-approved contractor delivering Treetops Free School to design and install the sports hall. Working alongside the wider school build, the team designed and installed an 18m x 30m permanent Maxi-Space steel building with 100mm insulated walls and a 100mm insulated roof. It adjoins the modular section of the Free School, with double doors providing direct access between the two buildings.

The clear-span structure has no internal support columns, allowing the entire interior to be divided and reconfigured as requirements change. For its first phase, the building was fitted out with four classrooms, corridors, toilets and a single sports court.

Once the new teaching accommodation became available, the internal layout could be removed and the building converted to its intended use as a multi-court sports hall.

The Outcome

The project allowed Treetops Free School to open its doors to pupils before the main building was ready, without investing in standalone temporary classrooms that would later be removed.

It gave the school additional capacity when it needed it while keeping the full investment working for the long term, serving pupils across both schools and the wider community.

Customer Feedback

Kelvin Gray, Site Manager for the School’s Contractor, said:

“We went through quite a lengthy selection process based on quality, attitude, flexibility and cost. 

“The project took five weeks and it went smoothly and efficiently. All the health and safety issues were well covered and the team were on top of everything. I’d definitely work with Smart-Space again.”

Planning Additional Space for Your School?

If you need a building that can adapt as your school develops, call Smart-Space on 01827 330000 or complete the enquiry form to discuss your current and future requirements.

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