The new £25 million Vocational College at Skelmersdale forms an integral part of the
overall master plan of the town centre, acting as a regeneration catalyst in the form of a civic and educational landmark development.

As well as providing extensive learning facilities for beauty, music, acting and dance, the building also houses a learning resource centre, lecture theatres, a publically access performance theatre and a Sport England competition standard sports hall.

Appointed under the OGC Framework via E C Harris, Curtins provided Civil, Structural and Geo / Environmental services for this 2 stage tender, design and build project.

Sustainability is a key element for the building, which is reflected in the BREEAM Excellent rating achieved by the design.

To assist with this, Curtins have adopted a flat slab solution utilising the Cobiax slab system. This consists of precast concrete permanent shutters forming the slab soffits, combined with an insitu concrete topping with plastic void formers. Rated as an A+ material to the 2008 Green Guide, this solution contributes strongly to the BREEAM scoring.

The quality of the precast concrete finish allows the soffits to be exposed, enabling a naturally ventilated solution to make use of the thermal mass within the structure.

The void formers within the depth of the insitu concrete provide a volume reduction of up to 40% of the concrete, reducing the overall weight and providing a knock-on saving in columns and foundations.

To reflect the demanding construction program, Curtins developed a design which combined the Cobiax slabs with steel columns, taking advantage of the faster erection time achievable with steel when compared to insitu concrete.