2024 | Review of the Year
With a host of new project announcements, awards, and significant on-site progress across various…
12 Dec 2024Experience Loading
Suggestions: architecture engineering design
Words by BSBG Media Team, Thursday 04 July 2024
The campus was completed just two and a half years after the client’s approval of the concept, by Design Engine, in October 2020. In this article, we hear from Demetrios Tourtouras, Director, as we uncover the journey through Schematic Design and Detailed Design to project delivery of the acclaimed Misk Schools campus, accompanied by new photography of the finished project, captured by Chris Goldstraw.
“As the Lead Consultant, and Executive Architect, we worked with the concept design by Design Engine, leading the project through Schematic and Detailed Design, before overseeing Construction Supervision. There were aggressive timeframes for delivery, so a key initial task for us was to manage the programmes and divide all the assets. This enabled us to deliver advanced design packages to enable works on site at the earliest stage. We then went out to tender for each individual building. We worked closely with Project Manager, WSP, on this asset/zone split, to both complement the procurement route and to enable us to get to site as soon as possible.
“A school of this prestige has very specific requirements, and, particularly in terms of curriculum, this was something that hadn’t been done before in the Kingdom. There was significant brief development in those initial stages to ensure each area of the campus and the curriculum was developed to meet the client’s expectations, from kindergarten right through to Senior School.”
Design Evolution
“With a project such as this, often the initial design evolves significantly as the project moves through the design stages, even during construction. You must manage that, while ensuring you work to meet the budget and timeframes.
“We were working closely with Design Engine to develop the overarching pre-concept masterplan as works continued; we were also managing over 20 different consultants and specialists. We would be finishing detailed design for one area while developing a school brief for another area, but all these moving parts are just part of the challenge. You have to be prepared for this so as to keep the project moving forward. We’re fortunate to have that experience from the previous delivery of numerous complex and fast track projects of a similar nature.”
Legacy Project
“Misk Schools is one of the key projects in our portfolio, without question. It was the embodiment of a fast-track project delivered to a world-class standard, and we’re very proud of it. It’s a sprawling school campus masterplan development of enormous proportions, which demonstrates the kind of project size that we can successfully deliver in the Kingdom. I believe it’s the best school facility in the country, designed to the latest standards. And all this was done during the pandemic, within two and a half years. It’s a phenomenal achievement.”
Final thoughts from Senior Partner, Kevin Harper
“Misk Schools campus was hugely challenging. The aggressive programme required extremely fast-track design, and we were effectively starting from scratch with an approved ‘design vision’. From the initial client briefing process, through concept, schematic and detailed design, the team completed the design of the entire project within 10 months, with advance tender and construction packages being released to allow construction to continue in parallel. The efforts of the team to achieve this were remarkable, and the reception and feedback we’ve had from the client, the school, and the students has been fantastic. It was a privilege for BSBG to play an integral role in the delivery of this highly complex and prestigious education project, and to contribute to the development in the Kingdom.”
About Misk Schools
Misk Schools is a state-of-the-art, K–12 private day school for boys and girls in Riyadh that aims to prepare the next generation of leaders.
Founded in 2016 by HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Misk Schools aspires to push forward the frontier of innovation in education, with a focus on approaches that enable students to grow into high performing, inquisitive, problem-solving learners who have the spirit to become future leaders and exemplary citizens of the world.
To learn more, please visit miskschools.edu.sa
About Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City
Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City "Misk City” is the first nonprofit city of its kind, founded to host the ecosystem of Mohammed bin Salman Foundation "Misk”. It is a vibrant and innovative ecosystem within a human-centric city focused on youth. Here, young and creative minds live, learn, share, and progress towards a sustainable tomorrow. Misk City is a purpose-built destination that aims to contribute to the growth, development, and prosperity of Saudi youth, aligning with the goals of Misk.
To learn more, please visit miskcity.sa
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