Sustainable school developments in Kensington, Clitheroe and Wolverhampton move ahead
Sustainable school developments are on the move as Tilbury Douglas and Equans are appointed to primary school projects and redevelopment plans for a primary school in Kensington are approved
Sustainable school developments are the order of the day as Tilbury Douglas announces its appointment as Head of Construction for Wednesfield Technology Primary School, Equans secures a net-zero modular construction project delivering a school for Lancashire County Council and a retrofit project creates more school places in Kensington .
Tilbury Douglas is to oversee the construction of Wolverhampton Primary School
Part of the Shireland Multi Academy Trust, the new technology primary school for 446 primary school pupils near Wolverhampton will be designed and built by Tilbury Douglas to meet the classic passive house standard.
Wednesfield Technology Primary School, which is on the site of the derelict Edward the Elder School, the sustainable development will consist of the demolition of the previous school and the subsequent construction of the new facilities.
Simon Butler, Managing Director Building Central at Tilbury Douglas said: “As the fourth project we have worked on for the Shireland Multi Academy Trust, we look forward to working together on the realization of this new school which will enhance the educational offering in the area will. ”
A SIPS and passive house design maximizes safety and sustainability
The new school will be built to a SIPS design, improving the building’s fire safety and sustainability.
The Passive House project meets local authority targets for improving air quality in schools and includes a range of sustainable, low-carbon materials.
Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Tilbury Douglas on this very special school project. As a Trust we are working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and this energy efficient school will host bright young minds in an environment that will help secure the future of our planet.
“We look forward to working with the communities in and around Wednesfield and providing the best opportunities that an education in Shireland has to offer.”
Retrofit of Kensington Atlantic Building receives planning permission
Planning permission was granted last month for the extensive conversion of 21 St Albans Grove into a model new primary school for Thomas’s Day Schools within the De Vere Conservation Area in Kensington, west London.
Designed by Ackroyd Lowrie, the sustainable school development will engage a Victorian and mid 20’sth Joined forces in the 19th century to create a five-story, 23-classroom school for students from Reception through 6th grade. Other features include soundproof music rooms, libraries, dining rooms, meeting hall, reception, director’s office, meeting/administration rooms, flexible common areas and a planted roof garden with biodiversity.
Work on Atlantic House is slated to begin later this year, with the goal of having staff and students move in for the 2024-25 academic year.
Visual impact was a key aspect of sustainable school development
Three criteria were considered in the landscaping: minimizing the acoustic impact; creating privacy and security; and improving the visual quality of Atlantic House’s front facade. A serene forest-style learning garden was positioned close to the neighboring residential buildings, while acoustic walls were specified to surround open play/sports areas.
Existing listed trees will be retained adjacent to the new roof garden, resulting in a net biodiversity gain of 21.73% over the current habitat value.
Managing Director Jon Ackroyd commented: “Our overall approach follows passive design principles and seeks to refurbish the majority (93%) of Atlantic House’s existing area while retaining its shell and some of the framework. This includes upgrading the thermal fabric to standards above Building Regulations standards, significantly reducing the associated heat losses of an old building and allowing for internal temperature control.
“Renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps ensure maximum energy efficiency, flow restrictors on taps and double flush toilets reduce water consumption, and rainwater collection tanks are provided for landscape irrigation. Finally, materials were specified for durability and future adaptability.”
Another sustainable development aiming for net zero is Equan’s modular primary school in Ribblesdale
Lancashire County Council has commissioned Equans to construct a brand new modular primary school in Ribblesdale, Clitheroe, designed to achieve net zero carbon status.
The new school will provide 210 much-needed new school places for children in the area and local disruption will be kept to a minimum as most of the construction work will take place off-site.
The school is scheduled to be completed in August 2023 ahead of the September 2023 semester.
The modular design will carry out the project with maximum efficiency and minimum disruption
The advantages of modular construction mean that the sustainable school developments will enjoy a faster construction time as opposed to traditional methods.
Equans will install a geothermal heat pump that will provide the school with a sustainable source of heat and hot water. A PV system will also be installed on the roof to generate electricity for the school.
Equans has announced that the school will benefit from the company’s School Zero product – which simultaneously promises net-zero construction while teaching children the importance of sustainability.
Equans has also provided an Industry Insights session to 145 students at Ribblesdale High School and offered two apprenticeships to students at Preston College.
Alyson Seddon, site manager at Equans, said: “Schools are at the heart of every community and this new school will not only provide much needed new places for children in the area but will encourage young people to be School Zero Heroes. and positively impact their own families through tailored climate change learning to live more sustainably.
“We are very excited to be working more broadly with the council and community to drive this agenda forward and to offer workshops and internships so we can really make a difference.”
