Hackbridge Primary is the first Passivhaus Plus-certified school, setting a new standard for sustainable design and operational efficiency. Andy Pearson talks to members of the project team about the award-winning scheme
Tag: Schools
Essential lessons from electric schools
Too many all-electric schools are being designed for peak loads that will never be met, says Cundall’s Peter Hazzard, who has been analysing data from previous designs to slash electrical demand
Case study: Comberton Village College heat network
The installation of a new heat network at Comberton Village College is set to significantly reduce the heating bill and save 248 tonnes of CO2. Andy Pearson speaks to Bouygues Energies & Services about how two 500kW ground source heat pumps replaced oil-fired boilers scattered across 16 plantrooms
Targeting net zero ventilation for schools
The Monodraught HVR Zero ventilation unit won a product of the year award at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards because it targets both embodied and operational energy use. Schools are one sector benefiting from the costs savings that the heat recovery unit brings
Designing net zero for pupil wellbeing
Cundall has created new premises for Beormund Primary School that not only meet net zero aspirations, but also cater for the social, emotional and mental health needs of the school’s pupils. Andy Pearson reports
Bundles of energy: the platform approach to decarbonising schools
The Department for Education is exploring how it can apply platform construction principles to create an innovative retrofit solution that can decarbonise schools and colleges, and facilities in other sectors. Andy Pearson reports on the energy pod concept
Lesson in continuity: Streatham and Clapham High School extension
Collaboration was key for the design and construction teams involved in the low-energy extension of Streatham and Clapham High School, in London, which had to remain fully operational throughout. Andy Pearson reports
Measuring indoor air quality in Passivhaus primary schools
Evidence from a study on indoor air quality in two Passivhaus primary schools reinforces the importance of well thought out ventilation and control of outdoor pollution
Safe return: making school air conditioning Covid-secure
As children across the UK return to the classroom, schools have had to devise Covid-secure services strategies to safeguard pupils and staff. Chris Baker details the plan for safe air conditioning at Parrs Wood High School
Key influencers: Saving energy at Parrs Wood High
Students at Parrs Wood High have responded to the climate emergency by making energy savings in their school buildings. Science teacher Chris Baker explains how other schools could replicate the model, which has cut annual carbon emissions by 543 tonnes and energy bills by £106,000