Back to News
Hydrock instructed as designers for landmark £21m Great Western Academy, Swindon
25th Jul 2016
Hydrock has been instructed by BAM Construction to provide mechanical and electrical, and civil and structural engineering services for the proposed new £21 million building for Great Western Academy (GWA) in Swindon.
Commissioned by the Education Funding Agency (EFA), the three-storey secondary teaching and learning school will house over 1200 pupils, providing study and teaching facilities for the delivery of a full secondary and post-16 curriculum with a major focus on business, enterprise and technology in what is currently the UK’s third fastest growing town.
Hydrock has assisted BAM Construction throughout the planning stage, setting the energy strategy and designing to ensure 20% of the building’s energy is derived from renewable energy technologies. Designed to meet Part L 2013 and BREEAM Very Good standards, our fabric first approach comprises high levels of insulation and air tightness combined with efficient services, and supported by a solar photovoltaic array to reduce energy demand.
Hydrock led the development of the building form, orientation and glazing arrangement to improve daylight and natural ventilation. As a result the building is fully compliant with stringent EFA Output Specification requirements for Daylight Autonomy and draught-free natural ventilation. This results in the building running freely without the need for artificial lighting, ventilation or heating for a significant portion of the year.
Three dimensional modelling of the site has enabled maximum reuse of ground materials and minimal costs associated with the removal waste.
The current building design, developed by award-winning international design practice Scott Brownrigg, includes modern, state-of-the-art facilities for IT, science and maths, design and technology and the creative arts (music, drama and dance). Sports facilities include a sports hall, outdoor football pitches, and a multi-use games area.
Following anticipated approval from the local planning authority, construction is scheduled to start in January 2017 and conclude by July 2018, ready for school opening in September 2018.
Explore related
- News
Hydrock assists GRAHAM in achieving industry accreditation for carbon management system
Read more- News
Lights, Camera, Action! Sunderland gets set for Hollywood with planning approval of Crown Works Studios
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s fire safety experts support planning application for new R&A project in St Andrews
Read more
- News
Hydrock brings expertise to NHS estates programme to help meet sustainability and safety goals
Read more
- News
Ground-breaking land contamination conceptual model paves the way to a cleaner and safer future at Sellafield
Read more
- News
James McNay joins HSE Industry Competence Committee (ICC) to guide safer building construction for everyone
Read more
- News
Hydrock appointed to deliver catheterisation scanner suite at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Read more
- News
Hydrock nets geo-environmental and geo-technical role on multi-million-pound Belle Vue Academy site
Read more
- News
Hydrock support successful planning application to extend Western Community Hospital in Southampton
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s Civil & Structural engineering team appointed on next stages of £104m Patchworks development
Read more- News
Hydrock supports feasibility and planning application on Grade II listed buildings in Leeds
Read more
- News
Civils & Structures team move to detailed design with Mi-space on 4.65ha Barne Barton site
Read more
- News
Hydrock advising BoKlok – the Skanska and IKEA joint venture modular housing business
Read more
- News
Hydrock on the strategic masterplan team for Cyber Central Garden Community, Cheltenham
Read more
- News
Hydrock's multi-disciplinary expertise helps unlock massive residential site in Bristol
Read more
- News
Stunning new headquarters for English National Ballet unveiled by London mayor, Sadiq Khan
Read more- News
Hydrock provides engineering services to transform Grade II* listed Cleveland Pools lido in Bath
Read more
- News
Transport team contribute to successful planning submission to revive Andrew Gibson House, Merseyside
Read more
- News
Multi-disciplinary advice helps secure planning for landmark footbridge in Pontypridd
Read more- News
Ground investigation work contributes to planning application for 282 homes in Stretford, Manchester
Read more
- News
Hydrock helps secure planning for refurbishment of historic Generator Building, Bristol
Read more
- News
Ground-breaking initiative to provide affordable housing to transform lives of Bristol’s young homeless
Read more
- News
The University of the West of England (UWE) appoints Hydrock to design new multimillion pound engineering building
Read more- News
Hydrock supports Linkcity with planning submission for 375 new homes in central Bristol
Read more
- News
Delivering key infrastructure assessments for proposed strategic rail freight interchange
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s highways and infrastructure advice helps secure planning approval for 345,000 sq ft industrial unit at CORE 42
Read more- News
Hydrock appointed to appraise transport issues within historic Porthcurno Valley, Cornwall
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s transportation team help secure planning on 400-bed student scheme in Bournemouth
Read more- News
Hydrock delivers the multi-disciplinary engineering design on two middle schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Read more- News
Kier appoints Hydrock to design Bristol Aerospace Centre – the permanent home for Concorde
Read more- News
Appointed to support the delivery of world-class resources for the UK’s agri-tech sector
Read more
- News
Steel frame designed for Bright Bricks’ 160,000 piece LEGO® version of the Soyuz Capsule
Read more
- News
Hydrock appointed by John Sisk & Son Ltd to deliver works on Manchester Life development
Read more
- Articles
James McNay comments in RICS Journal: Compliance with guidance may prompt safety complacency
Read more
- News
