28/10-08   -   Press releases

Knowsley Children Have a New Horizon Thanks to Portakabin

Leading modular building supplier, Portakabin, were the natural choice for Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, who needed to move an existing day-care nursery. The project involved the relocation and extension of the nursery’s existing structure and the creation of a brand new Children’s Centre.

Having worked with Portakabin in the past, Knowsley MBC had been highly impressed with the exceptional service and superior quality of the delivered modular building. Due to the company’s proven track record and excellent reputation, it was asked to submit a proposal, and was later awarded the contract following a competitive tender process.

A suitable site for the nursery re-location had been found in the grounds of Longview Community Primary School, so it was of vital importance the new Children’s Centre complemented the existing architecture of the school.

Portakabin offers an array of design features, architectural structures and aesthetic finishes, which enable its clients to create modular buildings that meet their precise design requirements. Flexible designs include a choice of striking colours to blend in or contrast with existing surroundings along with a wide choice of canopies and distinctive roofs to either match the profile of the surrounding area or create a stunning design statement.

Knowsley MBC chose to finish the modular building with a brick skin and pitched roof to achieve the desired traditional appearance, in keeping with the schools architecture.

Portakabin worked very closely with the project architect to design a modular nursery and community facility that would fulfil the centre’s diverse remit, replicate the exact interior of the original children’s centre and compliment the traditional exterior of the school building.

As well as being replicated to the precise specification of the existing Children’s Centre, the internal features of the building were delivered and fitted to a much higher quality and standard of finish.

Children’s Centre Manager, Barbara Kelly said: “This is a brilliant new facility, which we feel sure will be well used by the community. We’ve only been open a month and already we are very busy. We’ve held a number of open days to enable parents, carers and professionals to view the facility and find out what is available. The building has been very well received by staff and service providers alike."

The 538m² modular building designed by Portakabin, based around its award-winning Lilliput product, incorporates four nursery rooms covering the spectrum of 0-4 year-old requirements. It includes two multi-purpose rooms for family, education, health and employment support activities, office space, a consulting room for healthcare and employment professionals, a family room, a laundry, full toilet and kitchen facilities and a small reception area.

It was also essential that the new facility connected directly with the school, so Portakabin designed a 15-metre-long corridor linking the two buildings.

The Council opted for a full turn-key package from Portakabin, including everything from groundworks through to service connections and fitting out the building. A Project Manager, supplied by Portakabin was on site at all times to ensure the building was completed on time and to the highest of standards. The individual modules were craned into place in a matter of days, minimising disruption to the daily running of the school.

The Portakabin building was also delivered with a five-year product warranty and 20 year structural warranty¹ as well as the pioneering Portakabin Customer Charter. This states that if Portakabin fails to deliver a project on time and to the agreed contract sum, the customer will be entitled to an additional twelve months product warranty².

Porta and Portakabin are all trade marks.