About the project
Originally built in 1908, the Aberdare Girls’ School became surplus to requirements as a result of Rhondda Cynon Taff consolidating three existing schools into one new “super school”, adjacent to Sobell Leisure Centre. As historic building conservation specialists, we immediately recognised the site was of significant importance to the local community and the original school building should be preserved at all costs.
Introduction
The redevelopment of the Upper Aberdare Girls School was a challenging, yet amazing opportunity for our organisation, incorporating modern construction methods and strategic site logistics helped us overcome many challenges.
Project Details
We transformed the original school building into 26 one and two-bedroom apartments for over 55’s. In addition, we built 16 bungalows and two houses on the playing fields of the original school. The development, called “Llys yr ysgol,” is located near the town center of Aberdare.
Challenges
We faced several challenges during the project, including maintaining the original building's facade while bringing it up to modern standards, fusing existing elements with modern designs, and addressing surface water drainage.
Handover
We handed over the development to our client, Hafod Housing Association, in the summer of 2020. It was recognised as a significant development by industry professionals and featured in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) magazine.
More case studies
The Former Penygraig Infants School is located near Tonypandy in Rhondda Cynon Taf. ASD Build have...
View case study ->