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Placing beams JLP01_08_053320
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Placing beams JLP01_08_053320
COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, GEDLING ROAD, ARNOLD, GEDLING, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Two workers guiding a Laingspan beam, lowered from a crane, into position on the roof of one of the blocks at Arnold County High School, during its construction.
Work began on the site in March 1958 and construction was completed for the new school term in September 1959. Laingspan was a flexible modular system of frame construction using precast pre-stressed concrete units. Laing developed the system in conjunction with the Architects and Buildings Branch of the Ministry of Education and consulting engineer A J Harris. The Arnold school was the first building for which the system was used beyond a prototype extension to Laings own Research and Development Centre. Designed to economise on steel consumption and minimise on wet trades to speed up construction, the system went on to be used for other building types including offices and hospitals
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24329908
© Historic England Archive
1950s Constuction Education Grammar Innovation People School Work
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the construction of Arnold County High School in Nottinghamshire during the late 1950s. Two dedicated workers can be seen carefully guiding a Laingspan beam, which has been lowered from a crane, into position on the roof of one of the school's blocks. The use of Laingspan was an innovative approach to frame construction, utilizing precast pre-stressed concrete units. Developed by Laing in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and consulting engineer A J Harris, this flexible modular system aimed to reduce steel consumption and accelerate construction time by minimizing wet trades. Arnold County High School was not only an educational institution but also served as a pioneering project for this revolutionary building technique beyond its initial prototype stage. The construction work commenced in March 1958 and was successfully completed just in time for the new school term in September 1959. This remarkable image not only showcases the dedication and hard work put forth by these workers but also highlights how advancements in technology and design were shaping educational facilities during that era. It serves as a testament to both progress and innovation within the field of architecture. Captured by A© Historic England Archive, this photograph stands as a valuable historical record showcasing the transformative impact of Laingspan on school buildings while providing insight into mid-20th century construction practices.
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