Sciennes Primary School, an 1892 grade-B listed structure, has been expanded with Scotland's first Passivhaus CLT school structure.
The new pavilion seamlessly integrates into the playground and its surroundings with a carefully detailed stone finish. Its open-plan layout promotes interactive learning, while ample windows and well-placed roof lights flood the space with natural light. The surrounding landscape features benches, lush greenery, and a rain garden offering outdoor learning and relaxation spaces.
At the forefront of sustainability, and despite challenges posed by the site, the new pavilion adheres to Passivhaus standards and is soon to receive certification, making Sciennes the first primary school in Scotland to receive Passivhaus Certification. The CLT structure creates an inviting atmosphere and not only ensures thermal comfort by minimising cold bridging but also contributes to carbon storage and environmental preservation, with every cubic meter of CLT sequestering one tonne of CO2. Furthermore, this material's recyclability and biodegradability underline the team’s dedication to eco-conscious practices.
The design centres on a fabric-first approach, addressing air tightness and thermal performance (including triple glazing). Achieving an ambitious air tightness rating of 0.28, the building envelope minimises openings, cold bridging. An integrated mechanical strategy, encompassing a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system (MVHR) and air source heat pumps, further accentuates our devotion to sustainability.
Event Details:
Date and Time: Friday 16th August 2024, 1 pm – 3pm
Location: 10 Sciennes Road Edinburgh EH9 1LG