Portable Space: case studies
Series of case studies for container conversion company
SWIM SCHOOL KENDAL: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX (OR CONTAINER)
Children in the Lake District are learning to swim in an old shipping container converted by Portable Space.
In September 2021, swimming instructor Lee Read got in touch with Portable Space. He wanted to test the water with an idea: could an old container be used as a pool?
In the Lake District there may be an abundance of water, but there is a shortage of swimming pools accessible to the public. From Lee's point of view, it is vital that local children learn to swim, and in a safe environment. But as he told us, he had found it increasingly difficult to hire space at nearby pools. What's more, Swim England predicts that the number of pools available for hire to the general public is set to reduce dramatically over the coming years.
At Portable Space we were definitely up for the challenge to create a swimming pool. After a few discussions with Lee and revised quotations, we finally decided on a design. Portable Space would supply a shipping container and carry out all of the structural modifications needed. Furthermore, as Lee planned for it to be a warm pool, we would line and insulate it to make sure any heat loss from the sides and floor was minimised.
Here's the original sketch from Lee.
(image: Lee's sketch)
We refined the design until we were happy and the build started in February 2022, taking a few weeks to complete.
(image: Portable Space drawing)
The swimming pool was constructed from a used 40ft shipping container. We removed the cargo doors and reduced the sides to the required height.
(image: photo exterior of container)
We strengthened the top edge and added vertical stiffeners to ensure that the water pressure would not bow the sides of the container.
(image: photo interior of container)
We created openings for the underwater lights, surface skimmers and filtration to make it a fully functioning swimming pool.
(image: photo of opening in side)
Once it had been fully welded, the container was ready for a coat of paint. At Portable Space we're fortunate to have two fully-equipped paint shops at our site in Bacon, Suffolk.
(image: photo of pool in paint shop)
Now that the container was starting to look more like a swimming pool, we turned our attention to its internal fittings. We insulated the floor with a PIR foam board and overlaid that with a thick plywood. The walls were next: having insulated them with cavity wall slabs, they were also overlaid with thick plywood.
Once the pool had been fully lined and insulated, we installed underwater lights and pipework for the bottom drains, surface skimmers and water returns.
(image: photo of pool on back of truck)
Delivery day arrived. Our fleet of Hiab delivery vehicles can reach the most unusual of locations – so the warehouse unit in Cumbria where Lee had set up his swimming school was no problem.
(image: photo of pool being installed)
Lee then had the hard work of making the pool watertight with the help of a liner, and connecting all of the pipework to the filters, before the pool was filled with environmentally and skin friendly salt water.
(image: photo of pool full of water)
By May 2022, the pool was ready for its first swimming session. The project received nationwide attention when ITV News sent a camera crew to film Lee and local parents. Watch the interview and read the news story here:
(link: ITV news story)
KING'S COLLEGE CHAPEL: CONSERVING THE CAMBRIDGE SKYLINE
Ipswich-based main contractor Barnes Construction has hired a range of Portable Space containers whilst they re-roof King's College Chapel. We're thrilled to play a part in a project for one of the most architecturally important buildings in the country.
When you think of Cambridge's iconic buildings, King's College Chapel will be the first to spring to mind. The oldest surviving building within the College site, today the Chapel plays a central role in College life. Not only is it a place of daily worship, but it's also where new students matriculate and Fellows are admitted. And the Chapel's glorious acoustics are known around the world: many Christmas and Easter services are recorded or broadcast live from here.
Having protected the congregation from all weathers over the years, it's time for the Chapel's roof to be refurbished.
Barnes Construction will remove the lead roof coverings and send them away for re-casting. They'll then be re-laid over new Baltic whitewood sarking boards. Whilst the roofing works progress, Barnes will carry out a detailed restoration of the lime render within the Chapel, let by an ICON-registered conservator. The project is due to last 62 weeks.
The College continues to work closely with Historic England and additional energy-efficient upgrade options may be added.
A Chapel Built by Kings
King Henry VI was 19 years old when he laid the foundation stone of the Chapel. However, work was interrupted by the Wars of the Roses. The responsibility and costs for the Chapel's completion would lie in the hands of several monarchs: Richard III, Henry VII and Henry VIII. By 1547 it was acknowledged to be one of the finest late medieval buildings in Europe.
Barnes Construction
Since 2007 Barnes Construction has built a reputation as an experienced and collaborative contractor. The company has delivered highly successful schemes for the colleges, university and research quarter in Cambridge.
Construction companies need high quality, portable accommodation suitable for use on site as office space and facilities for managers and operatives. It must also comply with all relevant health and safety regulations.
Portable Space Solutions for Office and Welfare Facilities
On a sunny day in August, we delivered and installed seven containers to the site, all painted in the Barnes' two-tone livery.
Barnes Construction has a contract with Portable Space to store and maintain a number of welfare cabins. When required for a construction job, we prepare the units to a high standard. They are cleaned, electrically tested, and delivered to site ready to use.
With these units, Barnes Construction's staff have room to work and welfare facilities that are comfortable, convenient and suitable for year-round use. Their modified cabins provide office space, a meeting room, a canteen, a drying room, and storage for building materials.
However, every site comes with its challenges, and King's College Chapel is no different. To solve a lack of access to foul drains, we have supplied Barnes Construction's toilet block with a Portable Space waste tank.
At Portable Space, we have an extensive fleet of cabins available for hire or for sale. This includes containers measuring 8ft, 10ft, 20ft and 40ft, in a range of types and prices. Contact our Sales or Hire teams for more information.
ENHANCING STOW FC FANS' ENJOYMENT OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Stowmarket Town Football Club spectators have new toilet facilities, designed and installed by Portable Space.
At the heart of every community is a football club. Portable Space is based in Suffolk, where our local team is Stowmarket Town FC.
In the autumn of 2021 club director Nigel Jarvis got in touch. Stowmarket Town had recently been promoted to the North Division of the Isthmian League and had plans to provide fans, players and officials with better facilities.
Nigel explained that the club planned to provide three new buildings. A new toilet block was the first priority, with facilities for men, women and people with disabilities. This part of the project needed to cover clearance of the existing site and the hire of temporary toilets whilst the new block was designed, built and installed.
Now that this building is fully operational, we're looking forward to working with the club on phase two: a building with a changing room for officials and a treatment room. Then there are plans for a possible phase three, to provide showering and changing facilities for home and away teams.
The beautiful game is close to our hearts at Portable Space. We're big supporters of grassroots football in the region and have firmly-established partnerships with both the Suffolk FA and the Essex FA. We're the proud sponsors of the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup, and offer storage containers for all Suffolk FA affiliated clubs at preferential rates.
Nigel's suggestion that we provide a tender package quotation for his proposed development at the club was our kind of challenge. We were keen to get the ball rolling and in late 2021 we submitted our quote.
We supplied plans, sections, elevations, and site layouts. This would enable Nigel to apply for planning permission for each building as and when required.
A meeting with Nigel a few days later went well and we surveyed the site. In early 2022 we were awarded the contract.
Until the new, permanent toilets could be delivered, Stow FC hired three blocks of two toilets from Portable Space. We connected these temporary toilets to the mains and dealt with all plumbing and pipework.
To prepare the site, we removed the existing cabins that were on the grounds. We also assisted with the design of the concrete ramp to the new toilet block, ensuring the correct gradients were achieved and maintained for wheelchair access.
On the 19th of July we delivered and installed the new toilet block before adding the branded toilet stickers to the doors. The building was officially up and running.