Project Summary
This project involved the retrofit and extension of two former employment buildings to deliver modern educational and leisure facilities for a new secondary school. The redevelopment includes classrooms, a sports mezzanine, outdoor recreation areas, and upgraded access infrastructure. Vision Energy provided the full energy and sustainability strategy, ensuring the scheme met and exceeded local planning requirements and carbon reduction targets.
Scope of Works
- Adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings into education and sports facilities
- Two-storey rear extension and mezzanine-level gym
- New outdoor play areas and all-weather pitch
- Enhanced vehicle circulation, pedestrian access, and EV-ready parking
Sustainability Strategy Overview
Applying the Energy Hierarchy—Be Lean, Be Clean, Be Green—Vision Energy worked closely with the design team to reduce carbon emissions through building performance upgrades and on-site renewable energy generation.
Be Lean – Demand Reduction
- Upgraded insulation and glazing exceeding current building regulation benchmarks
- Passive daylighting, LED lighting (120 lm/W), and occupancy controls to reduce energy use
- Key fabric performance targets:
- Roof: 0.13 W/m²K
- Façade: 0.26 W/m²K
- Floor: 0.24 W/m²K
- Windows: U = 1.2 W/m²K, G-value = 0.63
Be Green – Renewable Technologies
- 20 kWp Solar PV system proposed across main roof areas
- PV system connected for export, with remote monitoring access
- 25-year design life and allowance for future scalability
Environmental Performance Summary
| Performance Metric | Value |
| Baseline Carbon Emissions (Part L 2021) | 11.57 tCO₂/year |
| Post-Efficiency Improvements | 10.70 tCO₂/year |
| After Renewable Energy Integration | 9.95 tCO₂/year |
| Total On-Site CO₂ Reduction | 13.96% |
| Renewable Energy Contribution | 6.72 kWh/m²/year (10.62%) |
Sustainable Design Measures
- Building Reuse: Retention of the primary structures to minimise embodied carbon impact
- Green Roof Potential: Where loading and pitch allow
- Material Selection: Specification of BRE Green Guide ‘A’ rated materials
- Waste Strategy: Reuse and recycling of construction materials via SWMP
- Operational Controls: Enhanced metering and monitoring systems for ongoing energy tracking
- Overheating Design: Passive solar shading and controlled night ventilation
- Transport Improvements: EV charging, secure cycle storage, and pedestrian links