Last year, Jackson Purdue Lever was proud to be involved in the transformation of the former Old School on Ilkeston Road in Nottingham. It was a brilliant project to be part of, bringing a derelict Victorian school building back into use after more than 12 years of standing empty.
The scheme converted the old school into 181 purpose-built student accommodation units, breathing new life into an unused local building while making practical use of the existing site. The works included the careful refurbishment of the original school building, a new extension within the former playground, and the construction of a new gatehouse building.
As with many refurbishment and conversion projects, the existing structure came with its own challenges. From an engineering point of view, the project required careful thought, particularly around the significant structural modifications and the insertion of additional mezzanine floors. These mezzanine levels helped make the most of the school’s generous hall ceiling heights, creating valuable additional space while retaining the character and potential of the original building.
Giving an Older Building a New Purpose
For us, projects like this are always especially rewarding. They show how older buildings can be adapted for modern use, rather than being left vacant or underused. By working closely with the wider project team, we were able to help support a practical engineering approach that allowed the building to be successfully converted and brought back into active use.
The project was delivered under a £10.5m Design and Build Contract, funded by Paragon Bank, and completed for Cross Country Partners. Jackson Purdue Lever was delighted to play a part in the successful delivery of this scheme and to see the former Old School given a new purpose.
The project team included Cross Country Partners as client, Paragon Development Finance as bank, DALBERGIA as EA/PQS, Naismiths as fund monitor, Vista Planning as planning consultant, Oliver Hind as principal contractor, Franklin Ellis Architects as architect and Greenways
for M&E design.
How can we help?
Jackson Purdue Lever provides structural and civil engineering consultancy services, helping clients, developers, architects and contractors take projects from early ideas through to delivery on site. We enjoy working on new-build schemes as well as refurbishments, conversions and redevelopments, where practical engineering input can make a real difference to how a project comes together.
If you are planning a similar refurbishment, conversion or redevelopment project, we would be happy to help. Please get in touch with the Jackson Purdue Lever team to talk through your project and see how we can support you.