South Cheshire College, Crewe

Client:South Cheshire College
Architect: Jefferson Sheard
Type of works: supply of Isowarm underfloor heating, Isocrete K-Screed and Flowfast Terrosso.

Flooring systems from Cheshire-based specialist manufacture Flowcrete have been installed in schools and colleges across the globe – so when a project came up on their doorstep the company was well-placed to showcase its best in class approach for educational centres.

South Cheshire College’s new state-of-the-art, low carbon development is set to lead education in the Crewe and Nantwich area into a new era. As well as extensive social areas with first class education classrooms South Cheshire College provides vocational facilities and workshops.

The incorporation of training restaurants, hair and beauty salons, a fitness academy, theatre, travel centre and childcare are beneficial to both staff and students and meet the needs of local residents too.

Architect for the eye-catching, sustainable campus was Jefferson Sheard of Sheffield and Peterborough, and the building was constructed by BAM Construction – with Flowcrete’s systems at the heart of the project.

Flowcrete’s products were selected after the client made a site visit to the company’s headquarters, in the neighbouring Cheshire town of Sandbach.

As well as meeting employees who had been educated at the College, the visitors were able to see how Flowcrete had undertaken its own sustainable development – completed in 2010 – which involved the ‘green’ construction of new headquarters.

As a result, before making their choice, they were able to see firsthand how the company’s award-winning systems work to create a safer, comfortable, more efficient and stylish environment.

Products introduced at South Cheshire College included Isowarm underfloor heating, Isocrete K-Screed and Flowfast Terrosso.

Flowcrete approved contractors Q Flooring installed the Flowfast Terrosso and B & K Systems Ltd carried out Isocrete K-Screed and under floor heating works.

Isowarm, chosen in support of the building’s sustainable ethos, was introduced in the main atria and sports hall. It provides a complete comfort zone, with flexible temperature control setting an ambient temperature for a whole building or individual areas.

Heat is delivered out of sight, freeing up space and presenting no risk of injuries from hot surfaces - and the system offers energy savings of up to 30 per cent compared to conventional heating systems.

Up to 14,000 square metres of Isocrete K-Screed were then applied throughout the entire facility – delivering a solid platform, with exceptional compressive strength and performance drying times.

Flowcrete’s fast-track decorative terrazzo-effect resin flooring Flowfast Terrosso – which is ready for use just two hours after installation – was then applied within the main atria and stairwells of the campus, providing a contemporary finish to this state-of-the-art development.

Alan Dean, sales director of Flowcrete, said: “This is a very prestigious project for us and one which reflects well how Flowcrete’s products offer wide-ranging benefits for educational environments.”