Tuesday 19 November 2013

A word on our donors: Travis Perkins

Travis Perkins – a prominent supplier of goods to the UK’s building and construction industry for over 200 years – has contributed £15,000 towards the project budget.

The donated funds are being used for general, non-propriety building materials, which can be particularly difficult to get sponsorship for. These include nails, DPC, protective clothing and plasterboard, among other essentials. We are extremely grateful for this generous contribution.
For more information on Travis Perkins, visit their website at http://www.travisperkins.co.uk/

 

Photo update: Monday Construction Club

Former pupil Jay Wilson shares his knowledge and skills with Year 7s at yesterday's afterschool Construction Club.


 

Monday 18 November 2013

More kind donations: Velfac and Wates














We would like to say a huge thank you to Velfac - an international company specialising in high performances doors and windows - for a very generous donation worth in excess of £9,000.

Needless to say, no house is complete without a top-notch, attractive array of doors and windows; with plenty of coming and going sure to take place, this latest donation is most welcome.

We also wish to express our gratitude to Wates, who are one of the UK’s largest building and construction companies, for an extremely kind donation of £5,000. With a rich history spanning well over a century, Wates is synonymous in the trade with quality service and sustainability.

We really are very fortunate indeed.

Thursday 7 November 2013

A word on our donors: Makita

We would like to express our gratitude to Makita – the world’s leading manufacturer of power tools – for kindly donating top of the range equipment for our students to use throughout the project.

For close to 100 years Makita has been delivering quality tools to people and companies across the globe, playing an important role in the evolution of construction worldwide.

Burlington Danes Academy is extremely fortunate to have received such a generous donation, includimg: top of the range electric impact drivers and screwdrivers, a sliding chop saw, a power planer, a jig saw and a sander.

As the company's own vision statement says: “By providing the tools, Makita is ensuring that anything is possible... not only contributing to a better today, but investing in a better future.”

A bird's-eye view












To capture the pace and progress of the project, Woody James, the film crew's cinematographer and director of photography, has installed a permanent camera mount overlooking the area where the house is to be erected.

The mount will remain on the school roof for the duration of the project and the crew will use it to film a timelapse shot on every visit to Burlington Danes. The resulting sequence will contribute to a clear and aesthetically pleasing illustration of the magnitude of the task undertaken. The material might also be used for a progression shot that will recur throughout the film.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Familiar faces at Monday Construction Club

Every Monday after school, the workshop doors are thrown open to any students keen to lend a hand and play their part in the building of the house. So far participation has been outstanding, ensuring an output almost matching that of the timetabled construction classes.

Numbers have been consistently high and the atmosphere is always one of enthusiasm and productivity. Attendees are showing an eagerness to learn that is fairly reflected in the quality of their work and the rapid development of their expertise.
A particularly noteworthy contribution has come from an extremely competent group of fresh-faced Year 7 girls who rarely miss a session.

Mariam Rahman, Ola Ibrahim, Rania El-Gamal and Einas Omar have shown passion and commitment to the cause and are fast proving themselves to be invaluable members of the team. Already dab hands with the contents of most tool boxes and always prepared to acquire new skills, they are also showing an astute understanding of the technical side of the building plans.

Mariam, 11, said: “I wasn’t too interested at first, but once I tried it I found it really interesting and I really enjoyed it. It’s really fun.”

Keep it up girls and we’ll have a house before Christmas!
 




Photo update: Great Monday club turnout

 



Photo update: Wall panel in progress

 

Photo update: Plans and instructions




Monday 14 October 2013

Trio lead the way

A big thank you must be said to Adam, Fahim and Malachi, who returned to school after hours for our annual Open Evening last week to show prospective parents the progress that has been made with the project.

These boys are excelling in their construction classes and have taken a leading role in the building of the house. They are setting a formiddable example to other students and are fast picking up a handy skill set that will hold them in good stead for the future. We are expecting great things from them!















Tuesday 1 October 2013

Where our timber comes from

All of the timber that we are using in production has been generously donated by BSW (British Soft Wood), the largest sawmilling business in the UK, and is grown right here on home soil.

The species of soft wood that we are using is Larch, a tree that produces timber of a strong, durable nature, resistant to decay and insect or fungal attacks. Larch is a particularly healthy choice of timber because it requires no extra chemicals to prevent it from rotting. Opting to use locally sourced timber, rather than concrete blocks, means that considerably less energy has been used in the production of our building materials than is sometimes the case with similar projects.

For more information on BSW visit www.bsw.co.uk

Photo update: Students perusing the plans

Year 10 and 11 construction students have so far fabricated at least 20 ladder frames and our excellent after school club, who meet every Monday to help with with the project, have matched this production. Next up will be the window panels.

Students peruse the house plans:


Monday 30 September 2013

Photo update: Sixth formers working hard

BDA Sixth Form students roll up their sleeves and help with the production of the ladder frames, which will form the basic wall structure of the house...

 


 

Photo update: Year 10 construction class

Year 10 model makers hard at work...

The SchoolHouse Project is underway

We are pleased to confirm that our plans to bring staff and students together to build a fully functioning timber house on our White City site is no longer a dream in the pipeline - it’s a reality. The SchoolHouse Project is underway and things are moving faster than expected.

Under the supervision of a skilled and knowledgeable team of professionals, students have thrown themselves into the initial stages of the challenge with ample grit and enthusiasm. Well into the process of constructing the wall panels for the house, the group are fast acquiring a considerable skill set that will serve them well over the coming months.

Roderick James, the architect leading the project, has been impressed not only by the efficiency of the young workforce, but also by their creative input and conceptual understanding of the plans. Students have been eagerly offering insights and opinions that will have a significant bearing on the finished product.

At this early stage, special mention must be made of Malachi Grant, Fahim Omarzaiy and Adam Doad, who have displayed valuable leadership qualities, contributing to sharp and productive output.

The coming months are sure to be a very exciting time at Burlington Danes Academy.

Visit www.rjarchitects.co.uk for information about Roderick James Architects LLP.

The Fulham Chronicle reports on the SchoolHouse Project

An article published in June by the Hammersmith and Fulham Chronicle about the project:

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-and-hammersmith-news/local-fulham-and-hammersmith-news/2013/06/03/burlington-danes-pupils-to-build-timber-house-for-documentary-82029-33421726/

The SchooHouse Project: Building foundations for the future

A short film introducing the SchoolHouse Project, which will be filmed for a documentary series over the coming months.

Introducing Burlington Danes Academy's SchoolHouse Project

We are extremely pleased to confirm that Burlington Danes Academy is running an exciting building project this year. Our new initiative, entitled The Schoolhouse Project, involves a team of staff and students working closely together to build a fully-functioning timber house on the academy's grounds in White City, west London.

The challenge explores a practical and alternative approach to education, with the participating students gaining a wealth of valuable hands-on experience. The project demands the development and application of a range of important personal attributes, such as communication, confidence, drive and discipline, as well as an array of essential technical skills.

We believe that by watching the product of their hard work emerge, students will realise that even the most ambitious of goals are attainable with the right knowledge and approach. By the end of the venture they will be able to reflect on what they have produced and take pride in an achievement that will benefit our community for years to come.

We know that the task will be difficult, but we are confident that those involved will learn a great deal and make the most of this wonderful opportunity.We look forward to the finished product becoming a hive of Burlington Danes activity and a tangible reminder of what we can do when we put our minds to it.

A documentary series is to be made about the project - be sure to follow this blog for regular updates.

Visit www.burlingtondanes.org for information about our school.