The benefits of replacement, energy-efficient aluminium windows and doors for school renovations include savings on energy bills while providing a bright, secure and comfortable learning environment explains Russell Wallbank, Architectural Project Manager at window and door system supplier Schüco.

 

A pool of water on a window sill or a blind flapping in a cold draft are the tell-tale signs that a window has reached the end of its life. While you may not need an expert to tell you a window has failed, it is worth talking to an expert when it comes to selecting the best value product for its replacement. Often, a school will employ a building surveyor to assess the problem. They will then contact a window and door system supplier, such as Schüco, for advice on the most appropriate and cost-effective replacement.

A reputable supplier will select the most suitable product from their range. This may involve visiting the school, writing a specification for the job, producing preliminary window drawings and even recommending an approved fabricator and installer.

One concern often raised is whether planning permission is needed when replacing a failed window or external door. Generally, planning permission is not required, providing the aesthetics are not being changed significantly and the replacement window and door’s thermal performance is equal to or better than the unit it is replacing.

While planning permission may not be required, replacement windows and doors must comply with current Building Regulations, which apply to the unit’s thermal performance and other areas such as safety, air supply, means of escape and ventilation.

A big advantage of using a leading system supplier like Schüco is that a school will benefit from a quality, cost effective solution. For example, it is good practice to ensure the new window provides at least the same amount of natural light as the one it is replacing because high levels of natural light reduce the need for electric light, saving energy, while aiding students’ concentration.

 

 

Ventilation too is important. Additional opening units can often be added without significantly changing a window’s appearance. Window systems can also incorporate passive or active ventilation to ensure outside air can always enter the classroom, even with the windows closed.

Furthermore, where solar gains are likely to cause overheating, the glazing can be treated with a heat-reflective coating. Or, if the budget and the planners allow, you can also install other methods of solar control offered by Schüco, such as external louvre blades or brise soleil.

Often the best solution is to replace failed windows and doors with units made using a thermally-broken aluminium frame and energy efficient double glazed units, such as Schüco AWS 70 SC. These will have a significantly better thermal performance to improve classroom comfort in both summer and winter while helping reduce the school’s heating bill.

When replacing external doors, particularly in high traffic areas, these will need to be robust and high quality units, such as the Schüco GFT 50 entrance system. Replacement doors may need to comply with the Equalities Act 2010, which means they should have a low threshold and be wide enough to allow wheelchair access. It is worth pointing out that, should an external door opening need to be widened, planning permission may be required.

Replacement fire exit doors need to be secure yet easy to open in an emergency. Door hardware therefore needs to be positioned so as to ensure ease of operation. In fact, all windows and doors should be fitted with high security hinges and locks complying with Publicly Available Specification 24 (PAS 24) or with Secured by Design.

Schüco offers the seamless integration of door and window systems for schools. For example, the AWS 70 SC window system can be combined with the Schüco GFT 50 external door system for high traffic areas which includes an anti-finger trap solution.

 

For more information on Schüco systems visit the website, email mkinfobox@schueco.com or call 01908 282111 and ask for Russell Wallbank.

www.schueco.com/uk

Photo courtesy of Aberystwyth University

 

Vectaire’s Microbox 125/2DC MEVs were chosen to ventilate the new, en-suite student rooms in the refurbished Grade 11 Listed Pantycelyn Hall of Residence at Aberystwyth University.

This prestigious project required discreet, but effective ventilation (now even more essential to control the spread of COVID-19).  The Microbox, provides this.  It is a low energy product which runs continuously, quietly and efficiently,  extracting pollutants and controlling condensation.  This in-line unit is slim (less than 184 mm deep) so is particularly suited for installation where space is at a premium.  It is easy to install, requires only one discharge grille and uses the minimum amount of ductwork (therefore fewer fire dampers and less coring),   There is a variable choice of low (trickle), boost and purge speeds at installation.  It is IPX4 rated, SAP PCDB Listed and UK manufactured.

 

 

 

Follow us on Twitter            Join us on Linked in  

 

Pictured cutting the first turf at the new Haverfordwest High VC School site is Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Construction has officially begun on Pembrokeshire County Council’s biggest construction project to date.

A ‘Turf-Cutting’ ceremony was held on November 26, at the construction site for the new Haverfordwest High VC School in Prendergast.

Held to mark the formal start of construction works, the traditional ceremony is thought to bring luck to the £48.7m project, which is being funded jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government as part of the 21st Century Schools & Colleges Programme.

The new school building, on the former Sir Thomas Picton School site, is due for completion in the summer of 2022.

The new-build will accommodate 1500 pupils aged 11-16 and 250 sixth form pupils.

Clr. Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “Today is a landmark in the development of Haverfordwest High VC School.

“It is a timely reminder that through the 21st Century Schools & Colleges Programme with Welsh Government we are investing in the future of our learners and our community.

“All our learners deserve the best provision we can provide with the £48.7m investment. I am grateful that we have been able to keep this significant project on track during the pandemic. We look forward to welcoming learners on to the new school site in September 2022.”

 

 

New sports facilities at the school will include an eight-court sports hall, a full-size floodlit 3G pitch, and two multi-use games areas. All will be available for community use outside school hours.

The existing athletics track, all-weather pitch and grass pitches will be retained.

Most traffic, including school buses, will enter the site via a new access road currently being built off the A40, which will lead directly to a coach parking zone and a new car park for staff and visitors.

Rob Williams, Area Director for contractors Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to have begun work on the main building for the new Haverfordwest High VC School, an ambitious project which will deliver a modern learning campus and exceptional sports facilities to the local community.

“Despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to bring the project to site safely and the completion date remains the same; ensuring that demand for school-places within the area can be met without delay.

“We are grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council and all of our project partners for helping us to reach this exciting milestone, and look forward to seeing the finished building.”

Haverfordwest High VC School Chair of Governors, Paul Lucas, added: “From the plans provided, this promises to be an imposing example of educational building excellence which accords with up to date environmental and planning requirements.

“It is now up to the Governors, Head Teacher and staff to turn these facilities and opportunities into a first class educational learning area of distinction.

“Our thanks go to Morgan Sindall and their partners for the tremendous thought put into the project so far, and we must not forget the other interested parties – the Head, staff and of course the school council of pupils who have all put long hours into shaping our educational future in Haverfordwest.

“Thanks also go to Pembrokeshire County Council and the Education Department – as the project client – for listening to us and providing for our needs so that we can show what we really can do in this school of the future.

“We simply cannot wait to move in and are delighted that despite the poor hand of cards 2020 has dealt us, the project remains on track. Well done to all.”

 

Source: Tenby Observer

Follow us on Twitter            Join us on Linked in  

An array of Forbo Flooring Systems products has been installed within the University of St Andrews’ newest student accommodation building, to help deliver a contemporary and high-end aesthetic that would enhance the students’ experience. The final design resulted in HLM Architects being commended in the 2019/20 Fly Forbo competition.

 Located within the University of St Andrews’ North Haugh Campus, Powell Hall was developed to provide 205 new bedrooms, as well as high-quality common spaces, as part of the largest expansion of accommodation in St Andrews for over a decade.

Keen to offer an exceptional student experience, The University of St Andrews wanted the new accommodation to have its own unique look and feel. Mhairi-Claire Wilkes, Interior Designer at HLM Architects, explains: “The number of international students is increasing, and their expectations for academic living are not limited to the four walls of the bedroom. Instead they desire a higher quality of hospitality. They want a space to meet people, collaborate, learn and play; spaces that will enhance their social living experience, while supporting and improving their academic and personal growth.”

With this in mind, the University selected Campus Living Villages as its joint venture development partner and HLM architects to provide its architectural and interior design services.

To meet the University’s brief, HLM Architects developed a variety of social, formal and informal spaces for students to collaborate and study in, all of which featured unique lighting and furniture, as well as bespoke colour palettes that reflected the University’s branding, which were expressed through the soft furnishings and feature paint.

Mhairi-Claire continued: “When it came to selecting materials and colours for the project, we ensured that they reflected the University’s heritage and complemented its existing buildings. However, to make this building unique, we decided that each floor would have its own colour palette, to not only provide some identity to those that use the building, but to also help with wayfinding. We managed to achieve this through the specification of the floor coverings.

“As we have a strong relationship with Kay Kerr at Forbo, we knew we would receive excellent help on the project.”

Within the formal, reflective learning areas, which were designed for students that wished to engage in individual work quietly, HLM Architects opted to install Forbo’s Tessera Diffusion carpet tiles, thanks to its soft aesthetics. Forrest trail, a brown earthy tone was specified for the first floor; Arctic Voyage, which has a soft light blue hue, was installed on the second floor, and Magnetic flux, a charcoal grey, was chosen for the third floor

Mhairi-Claire continued: “Within the informal spaces, where the students would interact and socialise, we chose Tessera Layout Planks in the colourways Mono and Plasmatron – both of which have complementing grey and black hues running throughout. We also had a bespoke Library Red developed by Forbo specifically for this project, to represent the University’s colours.

“When we originally chose the planks, we were unsure on how to use them at first. However, with help from Kay, we decided to install them in an almost Tetris style pattern and it looks great! To be honest, I think it is one of the most successful finishes that we have had on this project; we really like the combination of the grey and black tones, combined with the vibrant pops of red.”

Throughout the corridors, HLM Architects specified Forbo’s Sarlon acoustic vinyl floor covering in the colourway Steel, to mimic the architectural concrete featured on the outside of the building. Chosen for its acoustic properties, the Sarlon range has been developed to provide 19dB impact sound reduction – perfect for this project where hundreds of students will use the space at the same time.

“At the entrance area of the building, Kay recommended that we used Forbo’s Coral entrance flooring system to remove the soil and moisture from shoes and wheel treads, to protect the interior floor coverings,” commented Mhairi-Claire. “Coral Duo in Luna pearl was chosen as it is aesthetically pleasing and complemented the Tessera Layout planks perfectly, thanks to its grey and black design.”

Forbo’s Coral Duo is the ultimate dirt and moisture remover. It is the ideal solution for areas that require maximum dirt removal, unrivalled dirt retention and exceptional moisture absorption, all in just a couple of paces. In fact, research has shown that Coral Duo retains 10% more dirt in the first few metres than any other textile entrance flooring solution on the market. HLM Architects also chose to install Novilon Classic in all of the communal kitchen areas to provide a more homely and warming atmosphere.

For more information about Forbo’s solutions for student accommodation, please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/education or to pre-register for the 2020/21 Fly Forbo competition visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/flyforbo

 

Follow us on Twitter

Join us on Linked in

The U.K. is home to some of the world’s oldest — and most prestigious — universities. And while these may be centers of excellence for learning, many institutions’ buildings were built centuries ago and are in need of refurbishment or, in some instances, total replacement.

It’s a problem that’s not restricted to higher education. Across the country, a lot of building stock is old and not as energy efficient as it should be.

Victorian-era housing, for example, can be draughty and costly to maintain, while office blocks developed even 20 years ago can often feel tired and out of date.

In the south of England, one place of learning is attempting to boost its green credentials with a brand new development.

Earlier this week, construction firm Osborne “formally handed over” the West Downs Centre to the University of Winchester. A handover refers to a contractor formally passing a development over to their client.

The building boasts a number of sustainable features designed to boost its green credentials. These include a combined heat and power system; solar photovoltaic panels; rainwater recycling; and what the university described as “smart building management.”

Its development was supported by green financing through a £30 million ($37.26 million) loan from Triodos Bank, which offers what it describes as “sustainable financial products.”

The university has previously described the West Downs Centre as being “on target” for an “excellent” BREEAM rating. BREEAM is a “sustainability assessment method” from the Building Research Establishment that covers infrastructure, masterplanning projects and buildings.

It’s hoped that teaching at the building could begin in September this year, although given the current situation with regards to the coronavirus pandemic, this is dependent on government advice. An official opening and inauguration are slated for next year.

Around the world, buildings designed for the education sector are being developed with sustainability in mind.

In March of this year, it was announced that the firm Veidekke had been tasked by the city of Oslo to build an energy-efficient, solar-paneled school.

At the time Veidekke said the Voldsløkka secondary school would have solar panels on its facades and roof. In addition, machinery used on the building site would run on “fossil-free fuel.”

Back in the U.K., a number of universities are also turning to renewable sources of energy. These include the University of Sussex, which has installed over 3,000 solar panels at its campus in a £1.5 million initiative.

Elsewhere, the University of Nottingham has said its “recent new builds” include things such as biomass boilers, green roofs and passive design.

Source: CNBC

 

The challenge

EKO Pathways is a special educational needs primary and secondary school based in East Ham, London, which caters for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).

Five years ago, London Borough of Newham joined forces with architects Rivington Street Studio to build a brand-new secondary school on a brownfield site.

The new building was to provide generous, flexible classrooms and specialist teaching resource areas, calming spaces and break-out areas in the extensive external landscape. A sympathetic external lighting design was required to help meet the buildings objectives.

Key project requirements

  • Enhance the appearance of the building and provide sufficient light to the walkways using a ‘secure by design’ approach
  • Use LED to save energy and provide longer maintenance periods
  • Controlled using both dusk to dawn sensors and time switches
  • Fully compliant with BS 7671
  • Prevent light pollution
  • Emergency 3-hour battery back-up lighting to be provided to satisfy the requirements of BS 5266

 

The solution

The final lighting scheme consists of Red Dot award winning, Ren Performance Plus 4000K bollards for the walkways, spaced at an average of 10 – 12M apart.

While Kirium Pro 1 4000K luminaires, on 6M Telford Columns, were selected for the general area and car park lighting.

Ren delivers a low energy (336lm) exceptionally uniform lighting solution in an architecturally centric form – clean and unfussy – complementary to the new modern school building.

Its comfortable, ambient light providing enhanced vertical illumination for facial recognition, overcoming the low performance sometimes expected with bollard lighting and meeting the requirements of Secure by Design.

Emergency versions provide 3-hour back up lighting satisfying the requirements of BS 5266.

Both luminaires are fitted with dusk to dawn sensors and time switch controls which turn them on/off during set times to prevent unwanted wasted light; with light pollution prevented through precision optics directing light to where needed; with minimal upward light.

 

David Tucker, Director, Rivington Street Studios comments, “Ren provides subtle route wayfinding within a robust context. Its flat-screen optical system, with an additional area of diffused light, represents a real innovative solution over existing bollards.”

Featured products

Ren Performance Plus

Kirium Pro 1

 

www.dwwindsor.com

The National Education Union say that their new analysis highlights the inadequacy of the government’s school building programme

The National Education Union have claimed that the Conservative’s programme for school buildings is so inadequate that at the current rate of progress it will take a further 361 years to renew the school estate.

The government is also planning on cutting spending on school buildings by a further £600m in 2020, on top of the £500m cut from this year’s budget.

The Guardian on Sunday revealed that 3,731 schools are in need of immediate repair and a further 9,872 schools need work in the next one to two years.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary, National Education Union, said: “Government austerity has deprived thousands of children of the opportunity to learn in decent, modern, fit for purpose buildings, instead condemning them to be educated in crumbling and in many cases unsafe premises. We cannot allow this situation to continue – immediate investment is required to bring all schools up to a decent standard.”

 

Source: Education Executive

Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 6)

Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading contract furniture and fit-out specialists, has announced a record order intake, with £12.5m of orders secured in the last six months. This is a significant increase on the same period in 2018.

Contracts have been awarded for delivery through to 2020 and across a diverse range of sectors – private rental schemes, student accommodation, healthcare and education. A large proportion of the projects are for repeat clients – both developers and contractors – following Deanestor’s successful performance on previous schemes.

 

Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 4)

 

The trend towards larger furniture and fit-out contracts of over £1m continues for Deanestor, requiring a high degree of technical design input and project management from its teams. The latest contracts to be awarded are also spread across the UK – in England, Scotland and Wales.

Commenting on the record order intake, William Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said, “We are delighted with the performance of the business in the first half of this year. We have been very successful in diversifying into new markets which has provided a healthy forward order book and a solid foundation for the business in an uncertain economic environment.”

“We are the longest established furniture and fit-out provider to the NHS with a track record that spans more than 70 years. It is fantastic to see this work continue but also the success of our move into other areas such as high-quality kitchens for major private residential developments.”

£6.8m of the orders are for the manufacture and fitting of fixed furniture for new build-to-rent schemes and student residences. These include a contract to fit out 656 bedrooms and provide over 200 kitchens for student accommodation provider urbanest in London, and a third student project for the development arm of Mace in Oxford.

In the healthcare sector, Deanestor will be providing furniture for the £350m Grange University Hospital in Gwent for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – another project for main contractor Laing O’Rourke.

Deanestor’s largest project in the education sector is a £3m contract awarded by Robertson Construction for the new £55m Inverurie Community Campus. The Mansfield-based manufacturer will furnish and fit out 360 rooms across the campus in just 26 weeks. This will include the manufacture of 1,950 metres of shelving, 670 metres of laminate and laboratory worktops, 400 base and wall storage units, over 80 teaching walls, and more than 500 items of metalwork.

Deanestor provides high quality contract furniture solutions to construction clients and contractors for healthcare, education, student accommodation, build-to-rent and laboratory projects – both new build and refurbishment. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach for its customers and a single point of contact.

 

For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com .

Outdoor classrooms and active farmlands surround the extension to this ecological high school in Connecticut, which Gray Organschi built with cross-laminated timber to demonstrate sustainable design practices.

Common Ground High School is a charter school in New Haven with a curriculum focused on the environment. It was founded in 1997 and is one of the first schools in the US to offer a high school programme dedicated to sustainability and organic farming.

Its campus sits near West Rock Ridge State Park, on a verdant site near Yale University. The school tapped local architecture firm Gray Organschi to create an addition to house various activities, such as a new gymnasium, laboratories, communal areas and classrooms.

“The project brief challenged the design team to weave the new building and its exterior spaces into the fabric of farm buildings, agricultural fields, upland forests, and wetland habitat that lie at the city’s edge and serve as the school’s working landscape and outdoor classroom,” said a statement from Gray Organschi.

Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 02)

The 14,760-square-foot (1,371-square-metre) building is elevated above the ground and features wood-clad walls that form an irregularly shaped rooftop. The extension doubles the school’s footprint.

The project is one of the first buildings in the country to use cross-laminated timber (CLT) –  an engineered wood consisting of laminated timber sections – for its main structure, according to the architects.

Consisting of layers of timber sections, the material has grown in popularity in recent years outside of the US, with many commending its lighter carbon footprint in comparison to concrete and steel.

Gray Organschi Architects chose the structure for the school as opportunity to showcase ways that sustainable features in the design that would be visible to students. “A primary objective was a pedagogical one,” the firm said.

These walls, which were made of Black Spruce, support heavy wooden rafters that were similarly fabricated to achieve long spans with less raw material. “The new building at Common Ground exploits the structural capacities and ecological benefits of wood fibre,” the firm said.

Natural light is let into the school thanks to its sloped roofline and clerestory windows. Other more sustainable features include rainwater treatment, passive ventilation, and on-site energy production via geothermal wells.

The addition is located downhill from the original school building, and accessed via a wooden bridge that leads to the upper level. Meeting rooms, classrooms and labs are organised around a central atrium. A monumental staircase leads down to ground level.

On this floor, a gymnasium and locker rooms provide social spaces for the students and the after-hours programming offered by the school. A garage door allows this multi-purpose space to open to the exterior in good weather.

with the building’s mechanical equipment and other fixtures. This contrasts the exterior treatment, where darker wooden boards made of Port Orford Cedar wrap the building.

Based in New Haven, Gray Organschi Architects is led by Lisa Gray and Alan Organschi.

Source: Dezeen