At the time of certification, this was the largest Passivhaus school in Europe!

WARM and Architype, both already veterans of Passivhaus school design and certification, teamed up again to push boundaries. As the first Passivhaus secondary school either had worked on, we carried over much of what we had learned on primary schools, but it was critical that the team recognised the key differences a secondary school presents, and how this impacts on Passivhaus. In particular, the internal heat gains, electricity use, ventilation control strategies and school kitchen cooking routines require different modelling approaches in the PHPP.

On site, WARM advised on the adjustment of windows to make them airtight (video below) and carried out bespoke assessments of some larger curtain walling areas to ascertain that they would not cause comfort issues to those sitting close by.

Awards

• 2022 - RIBA London Award
• 2022 - RIBA London Sustainability Award

Photos

Video of WARM carrying out a smoke test on a typical window

(Video to come.)

Project information

• Passivhaus Classic
• 1,275 pupils and 95 staff
• Treated floor area: 8,954 m²
• WARM project lead: Liam M^cDonagh-Greaves