Wolverhampton sees completion of new Passivhaus school

Tilbury Douglas have completed construction of a school on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), built to Passivhaus standards, near Wolverhampton.

The school, named Wednesfield Technology Primary School, has been completed on the brownfield site of the original Edward the Elder school to Passivhaus standards.

The school has been built to Passivhaus standards, maximising comfort while minimising carbon emissions.

The most important objectives for both the City of Wolverhampton Council and DfE was improving air quality and reducing energy use.

The Passivhaus classic design lent itself to this, as it prioritises building performance and low carbon materials.

Tilbury Douglas far exceeded requirements for air quality, as while they needed to achieve 0.6 Air Changes per Hour (ACH), they ended up with 0.48 ACH, meaning the air within the school will be high quality.

The demolition of the old abandoned school building did not include the caretaker’s lodge building, which was left alone in order to comply with the Grade II listed status of the nearby pub, the Vine Inn.

The technology nature of the school, however, provides students with technology-rich learning opportunities, with a digital skills framework to teach children digital skills and responsibility.

The CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, Sir Mark Grundy, said: “We are thrilled to see the completion of Wednesfield Technology Primary School, a beacon of sustainable and innovative education within the Black Country. This Passivhaus-certified facility represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing state-of-the-art learning environments. The advanced energy efficiency and superior air quality achieved in this building align perfectly with our goal to foster a healthy and stimulating atmosphere for our students.

“Our collaboration with Tilbury Douglas and the Department for Education has resulted in a pioneering project that not only meets the highest environmental standards but also paves the way for future educational advancements. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this school will have on our community and the exceptional learning experiences it will provide to pupils.”

Source: PBC Today