Grays Convent High School

BDC was appointed as Civil & Structural Engineering consultants to provide detailed design services for a challenging project in Grays. The work involved the extension and adaptation of an occupied school, requiring careful sequencing of temporary works and the design and installation of significant moment frames to support both the existing façade and the new build extension.

To address the structural requirements, BDC developed a solution utilising pad and offset balanced pad foundations combined with traditional masonry construction. Comprehensive investigations were carried out to assess the existing foundations, services, drainage connections, and boundary conditions. The single-classroom extension was built using block and brick construction with a warm deck flat roof, ensuring durability and thermal efficiency.

A key challenge was executing the works without disrupting school operations, minimising the impact on pupils, staff, and local residents. Through meticulous planning and close coordination, the new classroom extension was successfully completed ahead of the January 2020 deadline and within the allocated budget.