The weekend has proved to be a busy time for some of the construction students at Harlow College. They will have spent this finalising their drawings ready to present them to Linden Homes Eastern as part of a major challenge set by the developer.
Adam French and Danny Edwards from Linden Homes have been carefully inspecting the resulting selection of 2D and 3D designs for a conversion on part of one of the new homes on the Meadow Gardens development in Thaxted.
Linden Homes has established a strong partnership with Harlow College to support the BTEC Level 3 construction and built environment course, from which many of the students will go on to university before becoming construction professionals.
This year, to test the mettle of the current Level 3 students, Linden Homes asked them to redesign a double garage and turn it into a sales office.
It is a design challenge frequently faced by the company, which often adapts part of a new home on the development so it can be used temporarily as a marketing suite. Once the house is sold, the space returns to its original use - as a garage, kitchen or living room.
Tim Carton, senior tutor at Harlow College, says the task has proved to be a great opportunity for his students to take on a genuine industry challenge:
“This has been a brilliant chance for the students to extend their work outside the classroom and apply it to a real-world scenario. It has been great to see them overcome the challenges of this project and gain some experience delivering presentations in front of industry. We are all very thankful to Linden Homes for the opportunity.”
Before approaching the drawing board each student would have had to consider all the relevant technical, financial, legal and environmental constraints and requirements from the concrete slab up to the doors and windows.
While the team from Linden Homes inspected the designs, the students were able to explain their choices and justify some of the design details. They had a chance to have a chat about the construction industry too and gain some useful insight from the team.
Adam French, Senior Technical Manager from Linden Homes says the challenge would have given students some really useful insight into how such projects are tackled:
“It’s been so interesting - and illuminating for both sides. We’ve been really impressed by the designs the students have come up with. I think it’s been an eye opener for them to see that, very often, the final design is a compromise between the client and the designer. And having face to face time and experience dealing with an actual ‘client’ is very valuable.
“Danny Edwards, Managing Surveyor at Linden Homes added “Linden Homes is very keen to support the career development of our local construction students: We are able to share our insight into the industry and tell them about best practice - and in return we have the satisfaction of watching new construction talent developing and growing.”
For more information about the construction and built environment courses available at Harlow College please to www.harlow-college.ac.uk/get-in-touch
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Media can contact Chantel Richman on 0203 697 7657 more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
