Client: Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd Ecclesbourne School in Derby underwent a major redevelopment to replace its outdoor swimming pool and part of its tennis courts with a new multi-use sports hall. The new facility includes changing rooms, dance and fitness studios, and a sports science teaching room. The redevelopment also repurposed space within the existing gym, converting it into a new refectory and dining hall for the school. Designed to provide modern sports and educational amenities, the new hall supports a variety of physical activities and academic programmes, making it a key asset for the school. Services we provided Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Structural Engineering Water Engineering & Flood Risk Our Role BWB provided a comprehensive suite of civil and structural engineering services for the redevelopment of Ecclesbourne School. Our involvement began with a series of ground investigations and structural surveys to assess the site's suitability for development. Innovative drainage Our engineers developed an innovative Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) that collected rainwater runoff from the building’s roofs and channelled it into a series of shallow swales at the rear of the building. The water was then discharged into the River Ecclesbourne via an existing drain, preventing localised flooding and reducing the project’s environmental impact. Stormwater constraints Our civil engineering team also addressed the challenging foul and stormwater constraints of the site, developing drainage designs that incorporated attenuation systems to control water discharge rates. This solution ensured compliance with the Environment Agency’s requirements and provided long-term resilience against flooding. Complex design The new sports hall structure utilised a single-storey steel frame with lightweight mono-pitch roofs. The building’s external walls were constructed with cavity blockwork and rendered cladding, while the main entrance featured a striking raking curtain wall supported by steel framing. This complex structural arrangement was designed to support large spans without compromising the building’s aesthetic appeal.