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8 Shortwood Primary School “Large windows and roof lights are used to increase natural daylight and reduce energy consumption.” A typical example of the care and attention to detail shown in the design for new woodland to increase the diversity of tree species and to encourage wildlife and a variety of bird species. Other areas have been set aside for wildflower meadows, new habitat areas, a wormery and mini beast shelters; the completion of which will improve the diversity of wildlife within the school grounds. The existing pond is being restored to a diverse aquatic habitat, with marginal, floating and submerged plants, a pond dipping platform, a boardwalk over a marshy area and a nesting place for moorhens, extending educational opportunities for the school. An enormous amount of attention has been paid in detailing the building and the external spaces in order to create a safe and secure environment for the children. The school creates a stimulating educational environment where the building and its environment become part of the educational process. Energy use, carbon dioxide production and rainwater harvesting/ re-cycling is recorded and displayed on information panels which are accessible to the children and staff, providing information on the day to day consumption and re-cycling of energy and water. • The renovation and re-use of existing buildings on the site helping to reduce the consumption of natural resources and creating a more sustainable environment. • Large windows and roof lights are used to increase natural daylight and reduce energy consumption and are inter-linked via. automatic sensors which control the amount of natural “stack” ventilation reducing the need for mechanical ventilation. • Overhanging roofs help control solar gain. • The services installation includes highly efficient light fittings with interactive daylight sensors, which react to the amount of natural/artificial light minimising energy use. • The heating system utilises bio-mass boilers feeding an under floor heating installation. • Use of a part sedum roof to control rainwater run-off. All surface-water is directed to a large, underground rain-water attenuation tank. • In addition to minimising energy consumption, the project includes a grey-water system, re-cycling rainwater to flush the toilets within the school. Where possible, construction techniques achieving an “A” rating within the BRE green guide have been used, and the design of the building incorporates elements of sustainable construction, including: The “carbon footprint” is less than a third of that produced by an equivalent sized school, built to traditional standards. The average primary school within the UK produces 51kg CO 2 per m 2 (figure based on
10 Shortwood Primary School “The Partnering team were pro-active during all stages of the project indenting potential cost savings using “Value Engineering” work shops and other techniques.” A view showing many of the innovative features of the design promoting learning and minimising energy use DSCF data) which for a school the size of Short Wood would equate to 120 tonne of CO 2 per year. However, as a result of its design, the carbon footprint has been reduced by 72%, which on average is a reduction in emissions of more than 85 tonne of CO 2 per year. Whilst the services main role is to prove a comfortable and pleasant working environment with minimal environmental impact, more innovative systems function as teaching aids in promoting the benefits of sustainable technologies and communicating the direct benefits to the children. Each sustainable/renewable technology is accessible to the children and teaching staff ie. the boiler house has been constructed with a glass wall that includes a local display showing the activity and consumption of the biomass technology used in heating their school. The rainwater harvesting system has an educational pack linked to the national curriculum with a local display showing the children how much water has been collected and money saved. In addition, the low wattage LED architectural lighting uses less energy than two standard external light fittings and includes an interactive panel which enables the children to interact with the school lighting scheme. After a competitive tendering process the construction contract was let to Thomas Vale Construction Ltd. using the ACA PPC 2000 Form of Contract, on a two stage basis, including early contractor involvement prior to commencing on site (stage 1) and the construction phase (phase 2). The Partnering team developed and agreed a “Target Cost” with Thomas Vale with agreed pain/gain arrangements and fixed preliminaries, overheads and profit with details of all project costs on an “open book” basis. The contractual arrangements provided an incentive to the Partnering team to complete the project on time and within budget with the client and contractor sharing any savings. The contractor and their specialist sub-contractors worked very closely with the design team and the client in the development of the design including its “build ability”, specification, price, programming and supply chain appointments including the tendering of sub-contract packages prior to commencement on site. The early involvement of the contractor, and their specialist sub-contractors during the design stage lead to significant innovation in building techniques, costs, time efficiencies and ultimately best value for money. The Partnering team were pro-active during all stages of the project indenting potential cost savings using “Value Engineering” work shops and other techniques. The key to the success of this project was the strong commitment to “team working” with all parties working together during all stages of the project, solving problems and difficulties together as they arose rather than blaming each other. The team worked very closely to monitor Actual costs against the Target cost during the construction of the project and in the final analysis the project was a considerable success, being delivered below budget and on time. Ultimately, the success of Shortwood School came down to the positive relationship that was created between the design team and the contractor. All parties involved in the project, working together with the enthusiasm, commitment and desire to achieve a successful outcome. Since its completion in September 2007, the school has been so successful in attracting new pupils that a number of alterations to the building are already under-way. School numbers are increasing, the library area is being enlarged and facilities for the Nursery and “Out of Hours Family Centre” are in the process of being extended.
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