Bellevue School Hall

Before cladding removal, the external framing was improved, working from the inside to keep the building dry.  Areas of decayed framing were replaced before the new cladding was installed. Additional roof bracing was also introduced, and gable roof overhangs were built. The roof was extended at the gable ends. New sliding doors were installed on the east elevation and one existing external door and associated stair on the north end was removed. New Axon cladding was installed externally along with metal wall cladding to the gables.

Internally new insulation to external walls was fitted and plywood internal wall linings were installed to act as additional bracing and to provide a suitable substrate for the Autex wall linings. An internal storeroom was removed to increase the usable floor area of the hall.

A new suspended ceiling completes the new interior finishes. Minor services improvements were made, and new internal lights were added.

The hall is located within the busy centre of the school. The only vehicle access is across the school field. Care had to be taken not to damage the lawned areas, particularly in wet conditions. The site was securely fenced, and deliveries were planned around school activities. Replacing some of the decayed wall framing adjacent to the new kitchen, which the school had recently installed, proved challenging as did replacing some of the decayed sections of boundary joists. The project was completed to the project team’s satisfaction.