Natural ventilation provided to new London primary school

The new, 48,000ft² three storey school has been constructed entirely from cross laminated timber and has attained its environmental assessment through its use of sustainable materials, high insulation levels, and natural ventilation.

Gilberts – a UK specialist in natural ventilation for non-domestic environments – worked closely with Carmel and Green Tea Architects on the project.

The aim was to develop a ventilation system that would efficiently allow the appropriate level of fresh air in without excessive air leakage.

Natural ventilation

Each classroom was fitted with Gilberts’ WHZ50 glazed in louvres with VN75 high efficiency insulated dampers, a row of heating coils and attenuators.

The louvres are positioned through the external wall at a low level, to provide fresh air intake, tempered by the coils to minimise heat draw, and high level ‘used’ air extraction on the opposite side of the teaching space.

Nigel Spears, of the Diocese Education Service, commended the new building as a triumph: “Its build shows how working together creates a successful result, which is a lesson for all the school’s pupils, current and future.”