Challenge

Batheaston Primary School has undergone refurbishment works to introduce a new hall, reception, classrooms and a kitchen facility. The renovations are part of a wider aim to create a sustainable school that prides itself on its eco credentials.

Batheaston is a Green Flag awarded primary school and is part of the international Eco-Schools programme, guiding educational establishments towards sustainability by working various green principles into the everyday running of the school. The school was assessed to ensure it met the Green Flag checklist.

Further developments taking place include an area for wildlife and a straw-bale building for additional teaching space. The school will also use their adjoining field as an outdoor classroom alongside an artificial badger sett, amphibian homes and a dormouse nest.

Solution

H+H aircrete blockwork was used for the external cavity walls in the new hall, reception, classrooms and kitchen facility. Six different wall types were used with various decorative renders and locally sourced stone applied to the outside of the building. This demonstrates the variety of finishes that can be applied to aircrete walls.

The external cavity walls consisted of a variation of High Strength Grade 440mm x 215mm x140mm and 440mm x 215mm x100mm Aircrete 7.3N/mm2 blocks for outer skins.

All wall types included High Strength Grade 440mm x 215mm x 100mm Aircrete 7.3N/mm2 blocks for their inner skins. Traditional mortar was used throughout.

Outcome

H+H was chosen primarily due to its reputation as sustainable manufacturer producing environmentally friendly building products. As much as 85% of the company’s aircrete blocks are made from recycled material. Bearing this in mind, H+H was an ideal partner, as they share the school’s commitment to sustainable production and operation.

The blocks were also chosen for their lightweight qualities, which resulted in a quick construction time. The project aimed to achieve impressive U-value results and a ‘Good’ BREEAM assessment.

“Our priority was to fulfil the school’s ambitions and enhance their already well established eco credentials. To this effect, we opted for as sustainable a block as possible, something better than dense aggregate. Aircrete was the only option that could deliver the required U-values whilst also being both robust and lightweight. BREEAM assessments will also be carried out and we aim to achieve a ‘Good’ rating. We are extremely pleased with the project’s outcome and for choosing H+H to help us create such a sustainable school.”
CMS Bath Ltd architectural technologist, Richard Helliar