Major refurbishment work for historic Army college
An historic Grade II listed building has been given a facelift to mark its 150th year, thanks to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
The Former Army Staff College at Camberley in Surrey was completely re-roofed and new living accommodation has been provided as part of the project, which was completed at the end of last year.
The work has taken two years to complete and has included the refurbishment of the top floor to provide 27 rooms for single living accommodation, 11 of which have en-suite shower rooms.
The college was built following pressure in the mid-19th century to reform the British Army and invest in officer training. The architect Sir James Pennethorne was commissioned to design the building in 1857, and construction was completed in 1862.
By the end of the twentieth century, the exterior of the building had suffered from deterioration and was in need of a revamp.
The DIO worked with its Regional Prime contractor PriDE to deliver the repairs to the building. These include replacing the lead flat roof with a new, improved covering, rebuilding the chimney stacks, and re-slating the mansard sides. The dormer windows have been repaired and their lead cladding replaced.
The Bath stone and stock brick elevations have been repaired, including cleaning and repointing, and new Bath stone bottle balusters have been installed to replace the pre-cast concrete balusters fitted at some time in the past. Gutters and downpipes have been repaired, and all windows have been repaired.
A complex over-roof allowed construction work to proceed over two winters, uninterrupted by bad weather, and also permitted the offices within the building to remain occupied.
DIO Requirements Manager Col Paul Mannering said:
“The works have been planned and executed to an exceptional standard. This project has provided a springboard for the future use of this distinguished building”
DIO Project Manager Eur Ing Michael Hepworth said:
“Having undertaken studies on this building since before the formation of the Tri- Service Staff College in the 1990s, I am very proud that we have been able to complete this complex project to a high standard whilst meeting programme and budget targets and to bring a floor of Officer living accommodation back into use.”
Gareth Blore - PriDE Core Works manager said:
“It was a privilege for PriDE to support DIO in undertaking such a unique conservation project on the FASC building at Camberley.We are extremely proud of the tradesmen, who in adopting traditional skills and techniques achieved such high quality standards on the heritage works. A beautiful building restored to its former glory for future generations to admire.”
Note for Editors
1.Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2.Our work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved; our heritage is protected and we achieve our environmental goals.
3. PriDE is a joint venture between Interserve Defence Ltd and Southern Electric Contracting, created specifically to manage DIO’s South East Regional Prime Contract (SE RPC). Valued at around £380m, the SE RPC is one of five regional prime contracts currently in place in the UK. As Prime Contractor, PriDE is responsible for estate management and construction services at almost 100 MOD sites throughout the south-east region, encompassing nearly 6000 buildings and facilities'. These facilities include some of the MOD’s largest and most prestigious sites such as RMA Sandhurst, St James’ Palace, Cavalry Barracks and RAF High Wycombe
4. Picture Caption - Former Army Staff College at Sandhurst, recently rennovated by DIO. Please credit "Crown Copyright/MOD 2013"
