Innovative new ecobuilding for prestigious college

Tarmac Topblock have supplied over 2,200 square metres of Toplite blocks to construct an innovative 4m pounds eco-friendly middle school for St Lawrence College in Kent. The new school will house over 150 pupils and also incorporates a covered courtyard as well as a specially constructed 'bubble' style roof.

Designed by Surrey-based consultancy Brodie Plant Goddard, the complex has an eco-friendly design utilising blocks not only in the construction of the walls, floors and ceilings in the main buildings, but also in a special cooling tower in the centre of the courtyard.

Brodie Plant Goddard's architect, Roger Mahoney, said: "Whilst creating an inspirational environment for learning that could be constructed in just 12 months ready for for students' intake in September 2006, we chose to use blockwork so the buildings could be constructed swiftly, creating an overall building skeleton in just a few months, therefore leaving more time for the more complex areas of the design."

Barwick Construction site manager, Trevor Ellingham, said: "The design and construction of the school were both unique and challenging. Owing to our experience of block construction, we were able to prove that the strength, handling benefits and lightweight construction of Toplite aircrete blocks, were perfect for the task at hand".

Commenting on the new middle school, headmaster, Revd. Mark Aitken, said: "The children who join us this September will walk into one of the most modern school buildings in the country, with facilities and technology that most can only dream of, providing a special place where children really enjoy learning."