Client: North Lincolnshire Council
Type of works: Wernick designed and installed a 316m² day centre, with staff offices and a link to the existing building.

When Michael Hadfield,  Senior Architect for North Lincolnshire Council, received the brief for a new 316m² Social Services Day Centre at Brigg, in North Lincolnshire, he decided that in order to complete the 13 week project on time and within budget, whilst still keeping the centre (which comprised two separate buildings) operational, a modular building system would be used.

Michael had to source a number of bids to satisfy the council’s procedural requirements. Neath Abbey-based Wernick Buildings came up with the best interpretation of the brief following a meeting with the company’s design team and project manager, at which time, according to Mr Hadfield: 'All the cards were laid on the table regarding the difficulties of limited access, a short programme time and a finite budget, plus the fact that existing active buildings were to remain operational. My requirements of the company building the Centre were demanding, but it was clear from the first meeting with the Wernick team, that they had the experience and detailed design solutions to undertake the project and all the logistical problems that came with it. I can only say that their adept and professional attention to detail never wavered during the whole contract period, even when the pressure increased.'

The end users were extremely pleased with the result. Lynne Smith, who is the present team leader of the Resource Centre, manages the day-to-day operations with the help of 20 support workers. They provide a day service for 45 clients, all of whom have varying degrees of learning disabilities. A number of the Centre’s clients demand a high degree of personal care. This required that the building was completely wheelchair accessible and suitably equipped with special fire safety doors. Lynne says: 'The new building works well in every respect, the art room, for example, complete with patio doors leading to a covered veranda, is fantastic and has become a firm favourite with all clients and staff.'

Michael Hadfield achieved great results with the Day Centre at Brigg. Originally, there were three buildings on the site, together with a number of mature trees. It was considered important to retain the trees, as part of the council’s environment policy and as part of future landscaping proposals.

The project was completed while the Centre was still operational, with its full complement of clients. One of the three buildings had to be demolished at an early stage; a second building was later sold for demolition and residential development. The new building now also includes the local resident’s association office and is attached to the main Centre building by a link corridor.  Mr Hadfield concludes: 'We have only achieved this positive end result on time and within budget with all the demanding restrictions that the project presented by using an off-site, factory-build system. When I saw the completed job I knew that most people would never believe that the building is modular. It was a pleasure to work with Wernick.'