Semi-Permanent Structures: Reshaping Education During Times of Emergency or Renovation

When unexpected events or necessary renovations disrupt your educational institution, students face disruptions in their learning. Therefore, it is hugely important to find swift and practical solutions to get your facility back up and running as quickly as possible.

Semi-permanent structures have emerged as a powerful solution to this problem, providing flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in times of need. In this article, we will explore how semi-permanent structures are transforming the landscape of temporary education facilities during emergencies and renovations.

Why would you need to use a semi-permanent structure?

The education landscape has seen its fair share of disruptions, from natural disasters to structural issues with RAAC to public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to these unforeseen circumstances, schools and colleges often need to undergo renovations to meet the changing needs of their facility and growing student populations.

Traditional methods of addressing these challenges usually include using temporary trailers, overcrowding existing facilities or building a permanent solution which can take years to complete. It is in these situations that semi-permanent structures can step in to provide a solution.

The Benefits of Semi-Permanent Structures

1. Speed of Deployment: Semi-permanent structures can be erected quickly, often within days or weeks. This speed is critical during emergencies when immediate action is needed to provide students with a safe learning environment.
2. Cost-Efficiency: Constructing traditional buildings for temporary use during emergencies or renovations can be expensive. Semi-permanent structures offer a cost-effective alternative, allowing educational institutions to redirect resources toward educational programs rather than construction expenses.
3. Adaptability: These structures are highly adaptable, making them suitable for various purposes. Whether it's creating temporary classrooms, libraries, or administrative offices, semi-permanent structures can be customized to meet the specific needs of the educational institution.
4. Sustainability: Our structures are designed with sustainability in mind. They are made from recyclable materials and can be reused or repurposed, reducing the environmental impact of temporary facilities.
5. Minimized Disruption: During renovations, use of semi-permanent structures allows your school to continue operations without any significant disruption. Students can stay on-site, maintaining their sense of continuity and stability.
6. Longevity: While they are considered temporary, semi-permanent structures are built to last. They can continue being used for years, even after the crisis or renovation has passed.

What solutions can we offer?

We can create anything you need, whether it is standard or completely bespoke, we will work together to find a perfect solution for your school or university.

• Classrooms
• Dining facilities
• Sports hall
• Staff room/offices
• Toilets
• Kitchen facilities
• Theatres
• Acoustically treated rooms
• Multifunctional space
• Practical workshops

Some key considerations:

• Location: Together we can help you choose the most appropriate location considering ease of access and proximity to existing facilities.
• Design: Once we have identified exactly what it is you need, we will design a variety of options for you to choose from. We will take into account future flexibility in configuration and expansion as needed.
• Interiors: Do you have all the equipment you need for your classroom, dining facility, sports hall, staff room etc? Decide what you have already and make a list of everything else you’ll need. We can take care of the rest, delivering a turnkey solution ready for you to use as quickly as possible.
• Budget: Establish a clear budget that includes construction costs, ongoing maintenance, and potential removal and relocation expenses when the temporary facility is no longer needed.
• Emergency Preparedness: Develop a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan that includes evacuation procedures and responses to natural disasters or health emergencies.
• Acoustics: Will soundproofing be important for your facility? This can be essential for classrooms to create a conducive learning environment free from outside noise. Losberger De Boer’s Thermal Acoustic Lining can provide all the benefits of permanent acoustic buildings while being reusable once the building is dismantled.

What can you expect from Losberger De Boer?

Step 1: Get in touch with our team and tell us exactly what you need.

Step 2: We will come to visit you on site, discuss your project in person and start working on the best solution for your requirements.

Step 3: Receive your proposal with multiple options showing drawings, 3D renders, concept images and all the details about exactly what we will provide and how much it will cost.

Step 4: Once you have looked over your proposal, we will make changes and amendments if required before final designs and services are agreed upon.

Step 5: After choosing your space solution, we will do everything else, keeping you in the loop every step of the way.

Step 6: Delivery: Handover of your new space, delivered turnkey, ready for you to get back to business.

Case study: Lytchett Minster School – Rapid delivery of school building after a fire destroyed the entire school.

After a devastating fire at Lytchett Minster School, Losberger De Boer provided a complete and fully functional temporary school building ready for the students to return. This project had some specific requirements as the school specialises in performing arts.

Our project management team and build crew delivered 3300m2 of structure in just 6 weeks, meaning students were able to return to their timetable with minimal disruption.

This project required a collaborative effort from Losberger De Boer with the school's insurance company and loss adjusters from concept to contract.

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Client Testimonial:

“I have been tremendously impressed by Losberger De Boer. They have been outstanding – not only in terms of the quality of their systems but also in how quickly they understood our project, both from a technical and educational perspective.”

– Stuart Clark, Headmaster at Lytchett Minster School.

If you’ve found yourself in an emergency situation or want to make a plan for upcoming renovations, get in touch with our team directly at;

[email protected]

[email protected]

??01280 846500