Location: Finley, Riverina, New South Wales
Client: Department of Education – NSW Government
Industry: NSW Government Infrastructure – High School
Scope: COLA Design & Construction
Project Overview
Asset Building Systems (ABS) was contracted by NSW Department of Education for the design and construction of a new Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) for Finley High School in the Riverina region of NSW.
Prior to the funding of this essential project, students, staff and teachers were placed at greater risk of being exposed to the elements. With an existing concrete slab in place, the best solution for safety and enhancement of the schools infrastructure was to petition for a COLA that would span the entirety of the sport court.
According to client feedback, the result has been nothing but “life changing for everyone who uses the space”, “allowing school children to play and learn in wet weather, and also seek refuge from the hottest hours of the day”.
Our Process - Designing & Constructing Covered Outdoor Learning Areas
Upon receiving approval from the client for the engineered design, fixed-cost quotation and timeframe for the delivery of the COLA, Asset Building Systems then get started with our in-house steel fabrication – constructing the structure at our facility.
Using our unique building methodology, we built custom roof structures on the ground, along with pre-assembling the supporting posts as separate structures on the ground, which are then lifted into place by crane.
This modular component approach to structural elements achieves the best of both worlds; made to fit the COLA exactly- with the agility of ground-assembly with better efficiencies and safety controls.
By implementing this unconventional construction method, Asset Building Systems can maximise safety outcomes, reduce the high-risk safety hazards of working at heights, speed up the construction phase, reduce material handling and almost eliminate the use of knuckle booms & scissor lifts, while reducing potential damage to the existing environment on-site.
This particular COLA consisted of a 10 degree pitched gable roof with integrated bird proofing, galvanised steel Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) portal frame with heavy-duty 0.48BMT sheeting, with insulation and stormwater guttering.
Designed and constructed in accordance with the NSW Educational Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG), Asset Building Systems also pay special attention to ensure that all of our work is completed to the highest WHS standards to reduce hazards and protect the health and safety of all human life.
Why was Asset Building Systems selected?
As a locally based company with unmatched COLA design and construction expertise, Asset Building Systems was chosen by the NSW Department of Education for its long-standing relation and community reputation as a leading structural steel structure builder in NSW.
As a Riverina Region based company, Asset Building System’s local reputation for the highest quality, turnkey project management, design and construction of industrial sheds and structures is unparalleled across NSW.
Learn more about how we’ve supported businesses with the Best Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) Project Management.
View Albury High School COLA Case Study
Learn more about our capabilities and experience working for the Education sector.
