A special independent school is to have one of the UK’s first modular education buildings to achieve both Passivhaus and net zero carbon certification.
St Edward’s School in Hampshire is a day and boarding school for boys with behavioural difficulties associated with their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH).
The school wanted a building that works in harmony with its existing Grade II listed original building and meets the requirements of its SEMH pupils. The new 631sq m. teaching block will include six classrooms, group learning areas and a sensory room.
Off-site construction specialists Darwin Group are due to start the work in October 2021, with completion planned for April 2022.
Darwin Group presented the opportunity to support the school in its carbon reduction commitments by designing a net zero building. The use of modern methods of construction techniques will also ensure minimal waste from the build.
Darwin Group are working closely with the school to achieve the benefits of a Passivhaus building – an energy efficient design standard that provides an almost constant temperature. This will ensure a comfortable and healthy learning environment, while minimising the energy demand of the building, significantly lowering the school’s operational costs.
The Passivhaus approved windows will reduce heat loss by more than 70% compared to existing double-glazed windows. External insulation will also be added to cut heat loss by 90%. An efficient heat recovery system has also been proposed to reduce ventilation heat losses by up to 90%.
Sally Webb, director of development at St Edward’s School, said: “At St Edward’s, we are committed to the stewardship of our environment and therefore carbon neutrality is a target that has a moral imperative for all of us and that is why we are delighted that the new build will be Passivhaus.”
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