• Leighton Park School, Berkshire

    Leighton Park School is a multi-award winning, values-led independent day
    and boarding school for girls and boys in Berkshire, England for ages 11-18.
    Darke & Taylor were employed to develop the design and install the systems for the mechanical and electrical services for the refurbished Grove House building.

    Hero LeightonPark

Project challenges

LIMITED SPACE

The limited space within the plant room was a significant challenge in accommodating all necessary pipework and plant services.

Solution: To address this, Darke & Taylor developed a fully co-ordinated plantroom drawing and collaborated with ASH Contracting to identify and optimise any available space. This approach ensured that all plant equipment was positioned for both ease of maintenance and user accessibility, enhancing functionality for the end client.

BESPOKE RADIATOR VALVES

The project featured Cast iron radiators, but the client’s bespoke choice of radiator valve positioned it too close to the floor.

Solution: To address this, we designed a custom adaption within the floor void, allowing for seamless connection while maintaining both functionality and aesthetics, resulting in a sleek, high quality finish.

INSUFFICIENT MAIN SUPPLY

The schools existing incoming electricity supply was insufficient to accommodate the proposed new electrical loads.

Solution: We promptly informed the School and ASH Contracting. Working closely with them, we conducted load calculations to determine the necessary capacity and identified the most efficient cable route back to the existing plantroom. This collaborative approach ensured that the supply was successfully uprated to meet the demands of the system whilst maintaining reliability and efficiency.

OLDER BUILDING

Working within an older building presented challenges due to the abundance of wooden joists and limited available service routes

Solution: To overcome this, we conducted multiple Surveys to accurately map out viable pathways for new power, lighting and fire alarm cabling. This approach ensured efficient installation whilst preserving the buildings structural integrity.

Gallery

“…all plant equipment was positioned for both ease of maintenance and user accessibility, enhancing functionality for the end client.”

Technical overview

Darke & Taylor delivered a full M&E refurbishment across three floors at Leighton Park School, including classrooms, study rooms, common rooms, and later-added staff accommodation.
Mechanical works comprised new domestic water services, sanitaryware, LTHW system with cast iron radiators, above-ground drainage, plantroom upgrade, ventilation, external gas distribution, and a complete BMS installation.
Electrical works included full LV distribution and sub-metering upgrade, small power and lighting systems, and installation of fire alarm, access control, and intruder alarm systems. Multiple toilet cores were also refurbished across all floors.

Project details

ARCHITECTCube Design LTD
MAIN CONTRACTORAsh Contracting
PROJECT DURATION6 months
MEP CONSULTANTMethod Consulting

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