Franklin College, Grimsby

Overview

Mason Clark Associates (MCA) was appointed by ID Architecture to provide structural and civil engineering services for the Bridge Learning Centre at Franklin College, Grimsby.

This £1.7 million state-of-the-art facility was developed to ‘transform’ the student experience, offering modern social spaces, theatre areas and sports facilities to prepare students for their future academic and career aspirations.

We played a key role in delivering a sustainable and structurally efficient design, balancing the retention of existing structures with new construction to create a high-quality, cost-effective and environmentally responsible learning space.

Challenges and Solutions

The project presented a number of engineering and logistical challenges, which we successfully addressed through innovative design and collaborative planning:

• Structural design for modern functionality: we worked from RIBA Stage 3 to 5, undertaking detailed structural modelling and design reviews. We provided a full range of design services, ensuring compliance with planning conditions and tender requirements, while addressing contractor submissions to refine and optimise the final design.
• Complex drainage and civil engineering: the new facility required underground foul and surface water drainage systems as well as road, parking and hard-standing designs. Our civil engineers developed a flood risk assessment and drainage strategy, ensuring the site met both environmental and planning requirements.
• Sustainability and material retention: to minimise environmental impact, we integrated sustainable design principles, reusing existing structures where possible. This reduced the need for new materials, preserved natural resources and enhanced cost-efficiency while delivering a fit-for-purpose facility.

MCA's Contribution

We provided comprehensive engineering solutions to support the successful delivery of the Bridge Learning Centre. Our contributions included:

• Structural design and analysis: delivered efficient and adaptable structural solutions, ensuring compliance with technical and safety standards.
• Collaborative project management: worked closely with the client, design team and contractors to ensure smooth delivery within budget and programme constraints.
• Flood risk and drainage strategy: designed and implemented drainage infrastructure, ensuring the new facility met sustainability and resilience standards.
• CDM risk appraisal: provided a Designer Risk Appraisal for the CDM Principal Designer, ensuring all aspects of health and safety were incorporated into the construction planning.

Results

The Bridge Learning Centre successfully opened in June 2023, offering students an exceptional learning and development environment. The new facility includes dedicated social spaces, a studio, theatre areas and sports facilities, enriching student life and providing essential resources for academic and professional development.

Our innovative approach to structural design and collaborative project execution played a key role in overcoming challenges, ensuring a smooth construction process and delivering a modern, sustainable learning facility.

This case study highlights our expertise in structural and civil engineering, demonstrating our ability to design and deliver high-quality, functional and sustainable educational spaces.