Creating a new building for children and young people
Buildings
at SmithMartin Partnership LLP
Sue
Martin thinks about one of our current projects...
A
piece of project musing that is posted regularly on our site...
Phones, Pin Boards and other
Unaccountable costly
necessities
Children Centre
Premises - Support
and Understanding
At the end of a
building project there are always a number of things that are still
needed, colours
aren't quite as you expected, finishes you are certain you never
ordered and the hand over date getting closer and closer.
We are currently
working with
Newport Children Centre in East London and are pleased to say that
the premises are now looking fantastic, the final touches are being
added now, the cctv is installed, the colours of the soft play area
are about to go down and we are getting excited about the little blue
river that will be part of the play scene. The centre itself is based
in the heart of Leyton, five minutes from the High st, yet it is in
an area that forms part of a green corridor for wildlife and is close
to a quiet play area, nestling in a hollow.
Part of the
support that we have
been able to provide Newport Children Centre is some expertise and
imaginative thoughts on premises needs for Children Centres, both in
the administrative section and family areas and in the Nursery, which
is an integral part of the centre and is adapted to easily manage the
different needs of children for the whole day.
As always, the
capital
monies are never quite enough but there are ways in which
combinations of needs and creative methods can help to give a
building that is not just 'fit for purpose' but has something special
and little touches that help it feel a great place for children and
families.
At Newport we
think this will be
the palm tree leaves at the reception which are being designed by an
artist and made by the children, or it could be the large outside
play area, with river and sand effect that is easily accessed through
some amazing glass panels that help the concept of the
'Inside/Outside Curriculum'.
In London Borough
of Waltham Forest
the Children Services team support the project management with the
construction company and in partnership with Norfolk Property
Services(London). We work alongside them on behalf of the Children
Centre and the school to ensure that the premises best fits the needs
of the children and families for whom the centre is going to help
them get the best start in life.
We work with the
guidelines
provided by Together for Children and SureStart and bring these and
our own experience and skill sets into the development of the
project.
For more
information visit;
www.newportchildrencentre.org.uk
www.togetherforchildren.org.uk
www.surestart.gov.uk
www.ridgewayparkchildrencentre.org.uk
Our
original buildings for children article...
NEW BUILDINGS FOR CHILDREN
Working with multi-agency teams to deliver building projects
for children.
SmithMartin
can help you to deliver the project from concept to opening the
doors.
The expectation that by 2008 there will be 2500 Sure Start
Children's Centres across England is fantastic news for
children, families and communities.
What an opportunity for Local Authorities and Children's
Services teams to develop effective community resources
bringing together services for children under five and their
families.
But, it brings with it a certain sense of panic; how to
actually deliver these projects that will be just what the
community needs and on time.
Large amounts of capital expenditure are available and the
necessity that this money is spent wisely and effectively to
create a visionary centre for the future is both incredibly
exciting but can also be daunting.
With a positive mind set, a committed team of professionals,
involvement of the local community and a pragmatic set of
working plans the project can be set under way.
Useful interent links:
Organisations such as Sure Start and CABE have produced
documents which are very useful guides to both setting up,
design and process, details:-
www.surestart.gov.uk/publications
- Buildings for Sure Start
- Capital Process for Children's Centre Guidance
- Children's Centre Implementation Plan
www.cabe.org.uk
- Building for Sure Start-Integrated Services for
Children -10 Top Tips
There is a huge need for management of the project, Local
Authority Children's Services teams have the option of either
using their own staff or commissioning the work to outside
agencies.
Below is a summary of ways that can help you achieve your
vision, by not only using the funding windows available, but
actually making it happen.
SmithMartin
can help you to achieve your vision.
The Planning Stage:
- Combined team of professionals, including architects,
community users,children's workforce professionals,
construction managers, finance management.
- Creation of a design brief.
- Creation of design teams.
- Ensure that the voice of the users are heard, either
through consultation or professional children's service
workers. This will be essential when it comes to the
delivery of the project.
- Leave plenty of time for the planning, it will be easier to
get it right at the beginning.
- Allow a programme for changes near to completion, to ensure
that your building is fit for purpose. Large retail
companies allow at least 10% of the original budget for
this.
- Go for the best you can within the budget.
- Create timed action plans, which are critical.
The
Construction Process:
- The first bricks/foundations are a real joy. Start
marketing now.
- Ensure that someone is responsible for keeping check on the
buildings progress.
- Timing is crucial and need to be monitored.(These may seem
obvious but slippage is easy to achieve and hard to catch
up).
- Bring in help around delivery of an effective marketing
programme.
- Ordering equipment and resources should be in hand but make
sure they still meet requirements.
- Maintain constant dialogue with community and user groups.
- Make sure that inspecting agencies(Ofsted) are involved and
aware of opening dates.
- Don't lose sight of the vision.
The Point of Completion:
- Receiving possession date of the building from the
contractor is a major process.
- Opening the doors for the community and to deliver on time
is really important.(Construction companies are used to
having to pay penalties for late delivery).
- Children will already be booked into the facilities and
these will need to be inspected before use.
- Snagging issues for the building need to be constantly
checked and ensure that they are completed satisfactorily
before the construction firm moves off site.
- Is the building still 'fit for purpose'. Consider using the
budget for adjustment.
- New staff will have been employed, what challenges do they
find?
- Don't lose sight of the vision.
Achievement and Celebration:
When it is actually finished, take time to look at what has
been achieved. Once children and families start to use the
building it will come alive and that is when the real work will
begin. The building is essentially just the shell, but it
should create...
- a real 'wow' feel.
- a place people will want to come to.
- a place where they will want their children to be.
Above all:-
- Stay enthusiastic.
- Keep sight of the vision.
- Go for the best you can.
SmithMartin
and their associates can help you to
deliver your building project.
Our
projects section has information on recent building and
change management projects.
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