place : architecture

New Primary School, Witham St Hugh's

A new primary school for the Witham St Hugh's residential development. place developed the detail and environmental design to create an energy efficient, naturally lit and ventilated building incorp-orating many environmentally sustainable features and systems. The building is timber framed, constructed from off-site manufactured panels. Cladding is larch boarding and Sto render. The north wall of the central atrium corridor is of masonry constr-uction acting as a thermal store for heat gain from the clerestorey glazing. The clerestorey also incorporates passive stack natural ventilation grilles to provide fresh air and temperature control in summer months. External walls incorporate high levels of recycled insulation, there are rainwater recycling and solar water heating installations. All spaces have good levels of natural daylight, reducing energy consumption and improving the quality of space experienced by children, visitors and staff.