Five essential tips for a first class education fit-out
7th November 2023
Five essential tips for a first class education fit-out
There’s more to the success of your next education fit-out project than the finished space. The journey is as important as the destination, which is why we have compiled these essential tips to ensure your next education fit-out project is not only fit for the future, but runs as smoothly possible for you and your team.
1. Find ways for the building to remain functional
Whilst the fit-out and refurbishment of education spaces can help create a better future for incoming students, we know how important it is to cause minimal disruption to the current education schedule.
Schools, colleges and universities are busy places, and to avoid unsettling the learning environment it is commonplace for an education facility that embarks on a fit-out or refurbishment project to have areas that must remain functional throughout the works.
Working in occupied areas is part of the challenge when delivering new facilities and at ITC we have extensive experience of doing so safely and harmoniously.
Our project at Big Creative Education’s Gnome House, saw our team plan noise disruption around classes and busy times to allow the community centre and arts studio below to remain fully functional.
2. Create career driven educational spaces
Stepping into the working world can be a daunting step for students. Education facilities that simulate real working environments can help bridge the gap between the classroom and workplace by providing students with skills and experience needed in real world environments.
We have experience creating spaces fit for industry, and the knowledge to adapt them for education settings. We have created state-of-the-art education healthcare simulation facilities at Croydon College, University of Greenwich, Bucks New University, and UCL. The career driven facilities provide students with real world skills to help students make the next step in their careers.
3. Communication
We engage with the client team and heads of departments from the outset. Our aim is to fully understand our client’s education fit-out needs, including any key dates such as exam times or lectures, so that we can plan and deliver our construction programme with minimum disruption to day-to-day academic operations.
As an example, when building Kingston University’s STEM laboratories, all noisy work was undertaken outside of operational hours when working above the university’s main lecture theatre.
4. Keeping the building safe
Ensuring the well-being and safety of people is our first priority on all our education fit-out projects. Securing the site area is fundamental, especially when working in a walkway between teaching areas. Regular communication and dialogue with our client’s team is always important and particularly so when routes around the building change.
We provide suitable hoardings, signage and dust protection to keep all the building users safe. Movement of plant and materials in and out of the site are co-ordinated safely and effectively.
5. Building flexible spaces
In an age where hybrid working and virtual teaching is commonplace, flexible education spaces that meet the various needs of the people using them is essential.
We recently completed an office fit-out at Kingston University, creating agile workspace for teaching staff, accessible communal spaces and gender-neutral facilities. The project focuses on people, processes, connectivity and technology to support more flexible working patterns.
We also transformed the entrance to Kingston College in South-West London. The re-modelled accommodation provides an enhanced learning environment through the integration of key student-centred activities and support areas including new student hub, LRC area and employability hub.
Your next education fit-out project
Are you in need of a main contractor who can help you transform your educational facilities? From classrooms and laboratories, to libraries and lecture theatres, our experience and knowledge ensures your next project is in safe hands. Contact us here for professional advice and support.