UK’s most sustainable school, designed by Studio E and constructed by Durkan – both UK-based practices, is a two form entry primary school, replacing an existing facility.
The GBP8 million ($13 million approx.) new primary school building in Hackney, is designed to house 472 children. This is on behalf of the Learning Trust, a not-for-profit company, which runs all the education services for the London Borough of Hackney.
To achieve Excellent rating, Studio E Architects integrated photovoltaic cells, small wind turbine and a green roof. The timber building structure has Programme for the Endorsement of the Forest Certification (PEFC) and each cubic meter of timber panel stores approximately 0.8 tons of carbon. The laminated timber panels were precision-engineered off-site through ‘glu-lam’ technology, then installed by the specialist manufacturer, Eurban, in just under 12 weeks.
In addition, all the existing areas of the school will be re-landscaped and a new multi-use games area will be constructed. There will be 15 additional classrooms, however the internal design allows for additional screening and partitioning of classrooms to increase the number of classrooms to suit the schools needs.
Studio E is following a high sustainable agenda and a ‘no boundaries’ approach to a total inside/outside learning environment: a green educational oasis at the heart of its community.
