Smart Stainless Steel Installations for Bedford Academy Expansion

 

At Smart Balustrades, we are proud to have contributed to the Bedford Academy Expansion project, working in collaboration with Ashe Construction, the appointed main contractor, with Warren Pitts as Quantity Surveyor and Josie Oliveri leading from our team. Commissioned by Bedford Borough Council, this project sits within the education sector and represents a significant investment in providing modern, safe and inspiring facilities for students and staff.

 

About Bedford Academy

 

Bedford Academy is part of the wider Bedford community, serving young people with a strong focus on academic achievement, personal growth and preparing students for future success. The expansion project reflects the growing demand for high-quality educational facilities and ensures that the Academy can continue to deliver on its vision of “Inspire, Motivate and Achieve.”

 

The expansion is not just about creating additional space, but about enhancing the learning environment. Improved infrastructure helps to foster a sense of pride and aspiration among students, while also supporting staff with modern, functional spaces to teach and collaborate.

 

What Smart Delivered

 

Our role within this important project focused on the design, supply and installation of stainless steel balustrade and handrail systems across the Academy’s main and emergency staircases. 

 

These installations were critical to ensuring safety, accessibility and durability in areas of high footfall, take a look at the key elements we installed across the building:

 

 

  • Balustrades to the Internal Main Staircase: Installed using grade 304 stainless steel posts with a satin brushed finish, paired with offset top rails and 10mm thick clear toughened glass infill panels, secured with two-point side fixings. Ranging from 900–1100mm in height and meeting a 0.74kN loading requirement, the balustrades provide strength and safety with a contemporary finish.
  • Wall Fixed Handrails: Supplied and installed along the main staircase in satin brushed stainless steel, using 42mm diameter handrails mounted with robust wall brackets, offering support and comfort for daily use.
  • Guard Rails Under Staircases: These compact stainless steel installations, at just 275mm high, provide subtle yet essential safety features beneath both the main and emergency staircases, combining functionality with neat detailing.
  • Balustrades to the Emergency Staircase: Mirroring the design of the main staircase, these balustrades feature satin brushed stainless steel posts and offset top rails with clear toughened glass infills, designed to the same height and loading requirements for consistency and safety.
  • Wall Fixed Handrails to Emergency Staircase: Continuing the design language of the main staircase, stainless steel handrails were fitted with the same high standards of durability and finish.

Supporting Education with Safe, Modern Design

 

The nature of educational environments demands solutions that are not only safe and compliant but also able to withstand constant daily use. By using high-grade stainless steel and toughened glass, we ensured that the Academy’s staircases are secure, hard-wearing and visually aligned with the contemporary design of the new facilities.

 

Our installations will support thousands of students and staff over the coming years, providing reliable safety while enhancing the overall look and feel of the Academy’s expansion.

 

Collaboration and Delivery

 

The Bedford Academy project has been a great example of collaboration between multiple stakeholders, from the vision of Bedford Borough Council to the delivery expertise of Ashe Construction. For Smart Balustrades, it has been an opportunity to once again demonstrate our ability to deliver bespoke balustrade and handrail solutions that balance practicality, compliance and style.

 

We are delighted to have played our part in the Academy’s development and proud that our work will contribute to an inspiring educational environment for years to come.

 

Get in touch with our team today – we’re here to help.