Phased approach to complete refurbishment of existing 1959 school buildings
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'April 2014 - DFE (Department for Education) award funding for phase 1 of a complete refurbishment programme for the existing 1959 buildings at Reepham High School ..' On completion of this programme the intention is that the building will be transformed into an environment comparable with the adjoining Sixth Form College completed in 2009. We believe that this approach can be adapted on a school by school basis and form the basis for a national rollout for a game changing uplift in the quality of similar buildings throughout the country.
Creating cccccccomfortable working environments with low energy consumption.
This is a commercially sound and educationally inspiring opportunity to revitalise much of the existing school estate in this country, using the techniques successfully employed at Reepham College, creating comfortable working environments with low energy consumption. WWe
Test bay approach
Where possible we advocate the progression of a 'test bay' installation as a prototype. Ideally this would be a classroom bay of a trypical 2 or 3 storey concrete framed classroom block. A 'test bay' approach is an affordable way of progressing and agreeing workeable solutions for individual schools and colleges and gaining support for the complete project.
Tried and tested techniques
The following text in italics applies to the New Sixth Form, Reepham College but, having visited over 75 schools in recent years on behalf of clients for the purpose of assessing and mapping out initial development potential, we are aware that the approach could be retro-adopted for many existing late 1950’s and 1960’s concrete and steel framed teaching blocks and, in many instances, similar comfort and low energy outcomes can be achieved for refurbished/remodelled projects to those achieved for new build.
‘The new college building has been designed with the objective of creating the lowest possible energy demand (energy footprint) consistent with achieving exceptional environmental comfort levels both now and in the future, when climate change is expected to make life uncomfortable in many existing buildings, even some of those recently built. Great attention has been paid to lighting levels, glare, acoustic standards, upper temperature limits in summer conditions, and classroom carbon dioxide (C02) levels in winter, all of which are proven to impact upon pupils academic performance.
A variety of techniques have been used to minimise energy consumption, of which two are key. The first is that, as far as possible, all areas of the building are to be naturally ventilated using electrically controlled openings which open and close based on wind speed, air temperature and C02 levels. For those who wish to know more, the system is called ‘NV Advance’ by Windowmaster’, and information may be found by ‘googling’ these key words. The second is that the building is constructed of concrete with exposed ceilings, which act as large radiators of ‘coolth’ in the summer and ‘warmth’ in the winter. On hot summer days the building can benefit from the use of night purge with the cool night air automatically allowed in via the electrically controlled apertures to lower the building fabric temperature. This results in a more comfortable feel to the building during the daytime, due to the steady emission of lower radiant temperatures from the exposed ceilings.
These techniques together ensure that, when taken with the high insulation levels provided, the heated air spilled out in winter is reduced to a minimum consistent with achieving the necessary C02 levels and, in the summer, comfort levels are maintained in hot weather without the need for the introduction of comfort cooling systems which are expensive to run and burn a lot of energy.’
Exploratory meeting and site visit to review existing estate
'We welcome exploratory meetings with potential school or college partners to review this opportunity.' Andrew Teather and Christopher Walls
