Design and build project providing a four-classroom stand-alone teaching block with ancillary accommodation and achieving Net Zero in operation.
What Did The Job Involve?
This was a design and build project secured under the ECF2 framework. The brief was to provide a four-classroom stand-alone teaching block with ancillary accommodation. The stipulation was that the building should be Net Zero in operation with a maximum annual space heating demand of 15kWh/m2.yr and a total energy consumption of no greater than 65kWh/m2.yr. This required the building to be designed with very low air permeability and u-values in particular. The plant specified included highly efficient electric air source heat pumps. The roof was covered in PV panels to provide the offsetting necessary to achieve net zero.
We chose a construction form of timber SIPs panels to the walls and roof deck. The roof was covered with tapered insulation and felt roof coverings. The external walls and soffits were enclosed with an air barrier with taped joints and highly effective sealant.
The project also included a power upgrade to the whole school, SUDs drainage scheme and connection to existing services. A fire tender access route was also provided.
What Were The Challenges?
The project was assessed under permitted development and had to be designed so that this was not compromised. This was achieved through siting of the building and reducing external paved areas.
To achieve the high performance requirements the siting and form of the building were carefully considered. Modelling had to take into account 2050 weather files and various scenarios were tested.
The project was constructed within a live school environment and care had to be taken not to disrupt school life. This was achieved through careful planning and daily liaison with the school.
Beardwell’s Added Value
Value engineering was undertaken during the initial design phase to meet the client’s budget.
Various activities were undertaken with school pupils and CCS principles adopted on the scheme.