Leicestershire County Council
Following the completion of the Special Schools Framework, we were appointed by Leicestershire as Framework Partner for their Tier 2 Framework.
As part of he Framework, we are currently building Sure Start extensions to schools throughout the County and more recently other non-educational projects, such as Melton Mowbray Museum and the Battle of Bosworth Visitors Centre.
Bosworth Battlefield Visitors Centre
Interserve was responsible for the design and build of alterations and extensions to the existing visitor centre at Bosworth Battlefields, Leicestershire. All works in this 21-week contract were carried out in a strict rural conservation area and were to be sympathetic to existing buildings, paying special attention to the history of the site.
The Heritage room was constructed as a link building between the display room and the Tyth Barn restaurant to be used for teaching, seminars and social events. Externally, Heritage bricks, conservation type tiles and cast iron rain water goods were used to match neighbouring buildings, while internally was an open roof with exposed trusses. A large window and double doors gave light and flexibility to the elevation facing the courtyard, whilst the opposite elevation had small windows to match the adjoining buildings. A kitchenette, toilet facilities, vinyl and carpet flooring as necessary, full decoration and under-floor heating were also provided.
The existing ticket office was demolished, re-designed and constructed using the same materials as the Heritage room. The new layout ensured that visitors, having purchased their tickets, could be guided smoothly through to the Heritage room.
A new garage was constructed on a sloping band to provide storage for equipment essential for the upkeep of the battlefield. The outside of the building was clad with oak boarding to match the Tyth Barn. The existing garage was refurbished to provide shower cubicles using a pay meter system. These were decorated and tiled as necessary for use by staff and battle re-enactment actors.
In addition, an extended area of block paving was created and existing paved areas were graded and levelled to form a smooth connection between all the buildings on site. All areas were completed with associated fire, security and CCTV facilities to meet the client’s requirements.
Special Schools Pilot Framework
Interserve's appointment by Leicestershire County Council for the Special Schools Pilot framework was probably the first pioneering Local Authority UK Framework. The Framework was promoted to enable the whole team from teaching staff, social services, county property, pupils and family, designers and contractors to work together over a number of Special School Projects to provide a continuous development of inspirational designs by trying to improve on the ideas previously tested.
The whole team was involved in all the schools to ensure that the experience gained was captured and where appropriate improved and the not so successful ideas were either modified or discarded. Having the opportunity to continuously work on a series of similar projects enabled the design process to evolve much faster than would have been normally possible and the input from parents was another aspect which proved invaluable.
