Passivhaus Schools and Educational Buildings

In February 2012, Oakmeadow Primary School & Bushbury Primary School in Wolverhampton, and Montgomery Primary School in Exeter, became the first UK schools built and certified to Passivhaus Standard. Since then, there have been several certified Passivhaus schools built in the UK, constructed from a range of materials and budgets. 

Oakmeadow Primary School, Architype ©Leigh Simpson

 

Key Stats

There are 13 UK certified Passivhaus schools in total. There are 10 certified Passivhaus schools in England, 2 nursery schools in Scotland, and 1 primary school in Wales. The first UK schools to meet the Passivhaus standard were Oakmeadow Primary School, Bushbury Hill Primary School and Montgomery Primary School, all certified in February 2012. There are 20 UK Passivhaus certified educational buildings, including schools, colleges, and University buildings. The University of Leicester, Centre for Medicine  is currently the largest commercial Passivhaus in the UK.

NB – The above stats are correct for certified Passivhaus schools, to the Trust’s knowledge at March 2021. Whilst we endeavour to keep a thorough record of all UK certified Passivhaus schemes, if we are not informed of a project, or it is not fully certified, it may not be on our database.

Passivhaus Schools

Oakmeadow Primary School Wolverhampton, England Timber Construction Completed: 2011		Bushbury Hill Primary School Wolverhampton, England Timber Construction Completed: 2011		Montgomery Primary School Exeter, England Masonry Construction Completed: 2011
Swillington Primary School Leeds, England Completed: June 2012		Richmond Hill Primary & Nursery School Leeds, England Timber Construction Completed: 2012		Wilkinson Primary School Wolverhampton, England Timber Construction Completed: 2014
Smallwood Primary School London, England Timber Construction Completed: 2014 Modular classroom addition to existing Primary school		Kings Hawford Junior School Worcester, England Timber Construction Completion: 2015		Rocking Horse Nursery Aberdeen, Scotland Timber Construction Completed: 2015
Burry Port Primary School Wales Bretstrapple Timber Construction Completed: 2015		Stebon Primary School  London, England Timber Construction Completed: 2015  Passivhaus extension		Linden Lodge School: Isobel Family Centre London, England Timber Construction Completed: 2017
Blackridge Nursery Scotland Timber Construction Completed: 2021

Other Education & Learning Facilities

There are also a number of other UK educational projects that cater for higher education & research.

1. The Enterprise Centre, University of East Anglia - Norwich, England.
2. George Davies Centre, University of Leicester (Currently the largest commercial Passivhaus in the UK)
3. Hereford Archive & Record Centre (HARC) – Hereford, England.
4. Cre8 Barn – Huddersfield, England.
5. The Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (CREST) – Northern Ireland.
6. STEM at University of Bradford - England.
7. South West Energy Centre Passivhaus Demonstration House - Devon, England.
8. University of Oxford, Kellogg College – Oxford, England.
9. Hadlow College – Kent, England.
10. RAD building - University of Nottingham
11. Erne Campus - Enniskillen

 

In the Pipeline

There are a few other schools and other educational schemes under construction or awaiting Passivhaus certification:

• Harris Academy, Sutton - London

• Hackbridge Primary School - London

• Currie Community High School - Scotland

• Thornhill Primary - Bedfordshire

• St. Sophia Primary School - Scotland

• Edinburgh Schools - Scotland

• Peterchurch Primary School - Herefordshire

• Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School - Wales

 

 

Post Occupancy Evaluation

PHT Patron Member Architype, have conducted a post occupancy data monitoring on a number of their school projects. The data proves that pupils’ concentration levels benefit from the superior indoor air quality and thermal comfort a Passivhaus provides. Controlled and maintained CO₂ levels help the children stay alert and attentive throughout the day. Running and maintenance costs are slashed, as the building requires nominal energy to heat or cool.

 

 

If you have an educational Passivhaus project under construction or nearing certification – please let us know by completing and returning the project information request form to:info@passivhaustrust.org.uk

 

Further Information

Passivhaus for Educational Buildings Campaign

What is Passivhaus

Passivhaus Student Competition

Passivhaus for Local Authorities

How to build a Passivhaus (and other guides)

Cover image: Rocking Horse Nursery, BMJ Architects

13th February 2017

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