Would you like to know more about how climate change relates to the built environment? Is your school about to undergo a new build or refurbishment project? Have you reduced the energy consumed through reducing, reusing and recycling products in school, but would like to reduce the energy used through the building fabric?
If the answer is yes then the info below, which links to CABE’s Green Day climate change , should provide some food for thought (see page four of the kit for more details).
Students from Dr Thomlinson building with straw bales © A&M Photography Ltd
Any design or refurbishment of buildings is a complex activity with lots of factors and requirements to balance. Whilst time and financial issues can be used as constraints to applying sustainable design principles, new builds should be designed to be low carbon, reduce energy in the construction process and be as energy efficient as possible on completion.
One primary school, Bowbridge Primary School in Nottinghamshire, has put their sustainable building ambitions into reality with their new Victor Miller building.
This new building, constructed with a timber frame, boasts rainwater harvesting, solar panels, a green (sedum) roof and an automatic ventilation system. It is heated by a wood pellet boiler and has a state of the art energy monitoring system with a display panel in the atrium that shows students how much energy the building is using. The building was awarded a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Sustainability Award for 2009.
To view images of the building visit Bowbridge Primary School’s website.
Models and sketches produced by students © Laura Broderick
Upgrading existing properties to make them as energy efficient as possible also plays a very important part in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The energy consumption of schools (and our homes) can be reduced by improving the building fabric, eliminating draughts and using energy efficient lights and appliances.
Whilst some changes will inevitably require commitment, research and planning, there are some which can be made quickly and easily. Below is a list of actions and ideas to start the process:
- Switch to low energy light bulbs
- Draught proof doors
- Upgrade windows to be double-glazed
- Conserve water eg fit flush reduction devices to toilets
- Collect rainwater for use in a garden
- Upgrade insulation in walls and the roof (grants can be available)
- Use low emission paints and finishes
- Encourage biodiversity in grounds – wildlife areas etc
- Use materials or products that are reclaimed or recycled
- Use local, renewable or natural materials
- Install lighting sensors so lights are not on unnecessarily
- Sign up to a ‘green’ electricity supplier
- Install a solar water heating system, photovoltaics and/or a wind turbine. Grants can be available through the Low Carbon Building Programme
For further information please refer to the following eco factsheet produced by the AECB, the sustainable building association.
