Delivering school buildings using off-site construction : stakeholders' perceptions

Higham, AP; Boothman, JC; Scott, A

Abstract

Following the calls from the OECD and the James Review for the increase in the use of standardisation and modern methods of construction in the delivery of new school buildings. The paper sought to appraise the views of both construction and educational professionals on the use of standardised schools delivered predominantly by the use of off-site techniques and modern methods of construction. 120 questionnaire surveys were issued, to both construction and education professionals located with the north of England eliciting their views on the use of modern methods of construction. Fifty completed questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 42%. Analysis of the completed questionnaires revealed that the majority of the respondents support the use of both standardised schools and modern construction techniques. Whilst bespoke school design and stakeholder engagement remains important, the respondents suggested improved pedagogical outcomes, enhanced comfort, value for money and a reduction in the number of defects would be critical to the eventual success of the project. To conclude the research revealed that both the construction and education professionals surveyed are not adverse to the adoption of modern methods of construction or the use of standardised school designs proposed in the James Review.

Citation

Higham, A., Boothman, J., & Scott, A. (2014, September). Delivering school buildings using off-site construction : stakeholders' perceptions. Presented at 30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference, Portsmouth, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 30th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference
• Conference Location: Portsmouth, UK
• Start Date: Sep 1, 2014
• End Date: Sep 3, 2014
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2014
• Publication Date: Sep 3, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2015
• Publisher URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2014-1017-1026_Boothman_Higham_Scott.pdf
• Related Public URLs: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference