St Benedicts School, Junior School Building

Ingleton Wood were appointed for M&E and Environmental Design being responsible for the PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) software. A clear understanding of the calculations and predictions involved in low-energy building relies upon the use of accurate modelling software. The German Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) is the software used to calculate energy use and CO2 emissions based on both dynamic thermal simulations and data gathered from hundreds of low-energy buildings.

Working with Van Heyningen and Haward Architects, the New Ark for the Junior School provides classrooms and space for the Nursery, previously housed off-site. The structure is formed of solid cross-laminated timber panels, chosen both for their ability to be fabricated off-site and minimise disruption to the working School, and for their airtightness performance which will contribute to achieving Passivhaus certification.

We carefully reviewed the layout and form of the building at an early stage to make sure the design was capable of meeting the requisite very low energy standard. We ensured that the building was able to take advantage of solar gain without impacting on summer overheating via the use of brise soleil that cuts off the high energy summer sun, while allowing for the low angle winter sun. We also minimised heat loss through reduced glazing with emphasis on getting construction details and airtightness just right. Our M&E team designed a Passivhaus compliant Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system using appropriately sized accredited air handling units with low energy demand.

Our input continued post occupation as it was important teachers understood how the systems functioned and to trust that even when they could not hear the ventilation system, it was in fact working and would ramp up the flow rate if and when necessary.