Architects: Gray Baynes & Shew
Role: Building services engineering, building physics, sustainability advice.
A £3.1 million extension and refurbishment of the St Mary and All Saints Primary School in Reading was carried out in order accommodate additional students following the closure of a neighbouring school.
A key element in the selection of Halcrow Yolles for the project was our understanding and commitment to sustainability in schools. Our scope of work covered not just building services engineering, but also building physics and sustainability advice. We worked closely with the architects and design team to produce a truly integrated building, which would minimise the environmental impact of the school while providing high-quality facilities and an interactive learning environment.
The new building features a carefully designed façade which incorporates north lights for natural day lighting and high ceilings with cross ventilation to allow natural ventilation and night purging. The low-energy lighting design includes presence detection and photocell control to ensure that the lights are not on when the room is unoccupied or there is sufficient natural daylight present. A large rainwater recycling tank has also been designed to provide rainwater to flush all the WCs and urinals in the new building.