In the late spring of 2007 we were approached to consider the possibility of upgrading two laboratories at Red Maids, an independent girls’ school in Bristol. The job needed to be complete by the start of the Autumn term and time was getting on!
We kick started the project by creating a set of drawings for others to use. The staff had indicated a preference for fixed Service Pods containing water, gas and 13 amp power, so all the “first fix services” needed to be positioned early and accurately as soon as the old furniture had been stripped out.
Fixed service pods are usually positioned in such a way as to allow the loose laboratory tables to be rearranged during the term for different reasons - to display work for open days for example or to lay out the space better for exams. We also provided fixed benching around the walls and new heavy duty steel laboratory tables.
All the work surfaces were Velstone. This is a solid natural stone/acrylic polymer blend that is highly resistant to chemical stain, seamless, easy to maintain and indeed repairable in case of inadvertent damage. We also coordinated the replacement of three fixed, ducted fume cabinets including a new fan in the roof space.
Cabinetry - including wall cupboards, glass display units, base units and teachers’ demonstration desks - was included and we supplied all the new lab sinks, “Belfasts”, service outlets and “Gratnell” trays and trolleys. The whole project was completed on time and to budget and the school was delighted with the result.
