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Planning UK School and Community Buildings

Each time you travel to your favourite UK destination, or simply go to work or school, you might take a moment to consider the beauty which lies within the design of the many private and public buildings that you encounter. What many people from the UK and abroad do not often consider, however, is the extensive planning that goes into affect far before the actual construction phase of a building starts. This is certainly true as it relates to both school and community buildings. These types of structures serve an important purpose, but careful planning must be utilised in order to see a building's construction come to fruition.

The location of a school or community building is key. If careful thought is not put into the location, then the building itself might not be readily accessible by your target group of people. Additionally, environmental and human hazards might play a role in a building's demise. The integrity of a building becomes jeopardised if it is built on unstable ground. Sink holes caused by underground water often lead to catastrophe. Erosion in coastal areas of the UK prevents designers from planning these types of buildings as well. Safety is the first priority to ensure that the building remains in great shape for many years of use.

Costs associated with building schools often leads back to the size of a school and its intended population. Public schools serve large communities of kids, and they must be able to house all staff and students safely. Also, technology plays a huge role in the overall design phase of a school. Online access must be considered before the physical aspects of the school take shape. Connections must be made to a central hub, located in a designated and restricted area of the school. Computer labs must be built soundly to ensure that all of the technology remains in great condition.

There are key differences between school building designs as they relate to different student needs. Elementary schools do not require nearly as much space as secondary schools, so they are often less costly to construct. However, if you intend to build a university, you must choose an area which is capable of housing multiple structures to meet the needs of various students. Student housing also plays a factor for university build plans. Depending on the end goal, designers must consider the costs associated with constructing theatres, cafeterias, and libraries, for example.

Community centres, like schools, must be designed with a certain demographic of people in mind. While it is possible to build a simple community centre for people of all ages, specialty centres must account for other factors. For example, sports community centres must consider where the buildings will be located in relation to the playing fields, due to walking distance. Centres which cater to elderly community members need to feature easily accessible entry ways and exits to make it easier for them to move from one place to another more freely.