A Truro-based modular build company has completed its first-ever education facility.
The work of ISO Spaces can be seen across Cornwall and the UK in the form of cafes and bars made using reclaimed shipping containers, but after moving into house builds in 2018 the company has diversified further and produced its first modular education facility.
Ark Start Nursery in Croydon, Surrey, is 16-unit modular build with a 680sq m footprint. Located on the same site as Ark Oval Primary Academy, access is limited, so building work had to be unobtrusive and every inch of space had to be maximised.
MD Ben Treleaven explained: “When the tender was originally put out it was for a traditional build. It would have been a logistical nightmare for any construction company; Croydon train station is very close and access to the working primary school on site couldn’t be disrupted.
“Our offsite manufacturing process meant that onsite noise and upheaval was significantly reduced. Traditional construction methods would have extended the timeline considerably; we constructed the whole nursery at our facility and were only physically on site for one day.”
ISO Spaces hadn’t built any kind of education facility before, but its design was well received and came in at a much lower cost than the academy had budgeted for. In contrast to a traditional build, the impact on pupils, parents and staff was minimal.
Treleaven added: “It just shows you what a company can achieve if it’s open to opportunities. This was a natural fit for us after constructing a number of housing developments. We’re thrilled with how it’s turned out and so is the client.”
