project profile
Two schools to the highest standard Braham Electrical has successfully carried out the complete electrical installation at two separate primary schools in Newry:
St Clare’s Abbey Primary School and Nursery School
“Regardless of whatever industry you are working in, people buy from people and that is why we prefer to work with companies we can rely on.”
This £5million new-build primary school and nursery school brings two former schools together onto one site. St Clare’s Primary School and St Colman’s Abbey Primary School previously operated on two single-gender sites and the opening of this new school marks the beginning of a new era. Catering for 400-plus pupils and comprising 15 classrooms, including special needs accommodation, the new school incorporates school meals accommodation, an assembly/ sports hall, office accommodation and a separate two-classroom nursery
St Joseph’s Convent Primary School
time, but this was a little bit different in that it was two schools within a close proximity.” That is where the company’s logistical skills came into play. “We worked closely with Felix O’Hare and Delap & Waller before we moved on site to try and iron out any issues beforehand,” added Stephen. “With the best will in the world, what is planned on paper doesn’t always translate to site, so you’ll never get it perfect. But we will always try to ensure that a project runs as smoothly as possible, and we definitely saved time at both St Joseph’s and St Clare’s Abbey by making changes at the planning stage and taking a collaborative approach.” While building long-term relationships is important to Braham Electrical, the company is also forward-thinking – a necessity when working on education projects. Schools have changed extensively since the company first completed a new-build
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education project, with modern learning environments benefitting from a plethora of new technology that includes the likes of interactive whiteboards, computers and controlled access control systems. All this has to be incorporated into an energyefficient system. “Both these projects included much of the innovative technology that is now commonplace in schools,” added Stephen. “From an electrical perspective, this all adds to a more complex installation, which again places an added emphasis on the initial planning.”
Braham Electrical, 7A Charlotte Street, Warrenpoint, BT34 3LF T: (NI) 028 4177 2989 or (RoI) 048 4177 2989 E: info@brahamelecrical.com W: www.brahamelectrical.com
The opening of the new facilities for St Joseph’s Convent Primary School at Edward Street is the latest chapter in the success of a school that has been part of the education fabric of Newry for over 150 years. The £5.3million project has delivered a modern, progressive learning environment for the school’s 400-plus children, with facilities including a multipurpose hall, library and reading areas, shared spaces, play areas, all in a bright, open, contemporary style.
Project team... Project: St Clare’s Abbey Primary School and Nursery School – St Joseph’s Convent Primary School Value: £5m (St Clare’s Abbey PS) and £5.3m St Joseph’s Convent PS Architect: PHP Architects (IRL) LLP (St Clare’s Abbey PS) and JNP Architects (St Joseph’s Convent PS) Main Contractor: Felix O’Hare and Company Limited M&E Engineer: Delap & Waller Electrical Contractor: Braham Electrical
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