Gulf Construction Online - School’s new campus gets finishing touches

Bahrain Review

An artist’s impression of the New Millennium School’s campus in Zinj

School’s new campus gets finishing touches

01 January 2013

The New Millennium School (NMS) – DPS Bahrain will shift this year to its own purpose-built campus which is currently nearing completion in Zinj and is expected to be handed over in April of this year.

The new five-block facility features state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to promote academic and extra-curricular excellence.

“The new school will provide ample space for students to not only pursue academic excellence but also explore their co-scholastic potential,” says principal Arun Kumar Sharma.

Currently, finishing and electro-mechanical works such as the installation of security systems and lighting are under way on the project that will provide 80 classrooms catering to 1,600 students from kindergarten to class 12.

Work on the BD4.5-million ($12 million) project commenced in April last year over the 15,659 sq m site of the campus, which encompasses a total built-up area of 15,586 sq m.

The new school includes a three-storey main structure comprising classrooms, libraries and laboratories, a 14-m-high multi-purpose hall, a two-storey block featuring swimming pools and a health and recreation facility, a two-level car-park with 158 slots and a substation in addition to a security enclosure.

The three-storey main block will accommodate the classrooms and other main components of the school like senior and junior libraries, science, computer and social studies laboratories and staff rooms.

“The classrooms will be furnished with smart boards aiding interactive learning and communication,” says Sharma, adding that the expanded campus can accommodate 400 more students.

“All the key areas including the classrooms will be equipped with CCTV cameras to ensure the safety and security of our children,” he says.

Work in progress.

The indoor swimming pool block features a 25 m by 12 m pool for senior students and a kids’ pool on the ground floor, with the first level housing a gymnasium, a table tennis court, and dance and music suites. This section will also be used for mind development programmes such as yoga and meditation.

A highlight of the new campus is the multi-purpose hall that will support sports activities and school events, says Sharma.

The hall, which measures 37 m by 43 m and touches a height of 14 m at the centre, will also serve as an auditorium. It will also feature badminton, volleyball and basketball courts. “To maximise safety, the hall will be fitted out with rubberised synthetic flooring and the roof will be free of any lighting fixtures,” he says.

In addition to high-quality acoustic insulation, the auditorium is fitted out with automated stage technology facilitating hi-tech cultural shows.

“Our new campus will launch a one-of-its-kind engineering graphics lab for potential architecture students, in addition to a math and a language lab,” says the principal.

The kindergarten section will be designed with special provision for playrooms that will help in shaping up early learning and improving motor skills.

The three structures will be interconnected with artificial grass landscaping. The school will also provide a football ground and a well-defined running track.

The consultant on the project is Salah Al Kooheji Consulting Architects. Chief architect Abdul Rahim points out that safety systems such as fire and panic exits have been incorporated in conformity with Civil Defence specifications.

Elaborating on the specifics of construction, Rahim says the foundation comprises isolated footings built using concrete grade of SRC 45 N. The structures comprise reinforced concrete framed structures with columns, beams and precast slabs.

The main contractor on the project is Taitoon Contracting, which has subcontracted Rumaitha Contracting for the fire-fighting installations, Sunlight Electricals for the mechanical and electrical works, Bahrain Trading Agencies for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) works and Sigma Lifts for the elevators.

“Presently, finishing works for the main building like false ceiling, painting and flooring are being carried out,” says Isa Ahmed Alaali, human resources (HR) manager of Taitoon Contracting.

“Plastering work is in progress in the swimming pool enclosure and structural work is being carried out for the volleyball and basketball courts,” he adds.

Work on the car-park building has been completed.

The project client is Knowledge Management Group.

NMS-DPS presently functions from two campuses – Zinj and Janussan.