Our Exeter office has been commissioned to produce a school which has high levels of functionality for teaching and learning and yet is Zero Carbon in use by adopting PassivHaus design principles. The replacement 420 place primary school will be built on the existing Montgomery site in Exeter, with eventual demolition of the current buildings.
Minimum resources are to be used, utilising off site pre-fabrication where appropriate. All the energy for heating, light and power will be generated on site. The building is to be constructed to the south of the plot. Existing trees within the site and along the west and south boundaries will be retained, with new habitat and environmental areas being developed, enhancing the present ecology.
Ten zones with complementary functions are proposed: Natural, Wildflower Meadow, Spectator/Performance, Activity, Tree Walk, Parking, Welcome, Nursery playground, Tranquillity Court and Horticulture/Community. This will provide educational opportunities for recreation, sport and teaching, while minimising the impact on the urban landscape. Landscape design incorporates surface SUDS features such as a pond and wetland area in the north-west corner of the site.
The design of the external appearance of the new building must comply with the overriding need for a Zero Carbon building. The surrounding residential area consists mainly of fair faced brickwork walls and slate roofing and while the new school needs to relate to this urban environment, sustainability requires a building of both contemporary design and individual quality. Materials such as precast concrete panels with textured and coloured finishes may be used together with glazing systems and curtain walling if necessary.
The generation of electrical energy by photovoltaic panels fixed to the roof requires a form presenting maximum exposure to the sun while shielding the building from rain. Most roof areas will be surrounded by parapet walls, minimising the overall building height and providing both visual screening of the photovoltaic panels and perimeter protection.
