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PROJECT REPORT: EDUCATION & RESEARCH FACILITIES
possible because of the CLT,” says Garriga. “It’s also biodegradable, recyclable and has benefits in terms of CO2
every m³ of CLT used capturing one tonne of carbon dioxide.
There were additional considerations, such as the essential issue of fire protection. The practice made two key moves to help reduce the CLT’s combustibility – firstly cladding certain parts with non-combustible boards which in turn helps conceal wall services in the internal spaces. In the areas that weren’t required by Building Control to be fire rated, the surface still needed to be treated with a matt finish transparent spread of flame coating which they used all over. With all the CLT prefabricated offsite, with openings for doors, windows and services pre-cut, erecting the frame took two weeks, so disruption was minimal. “There was a really good relationship between the contractor and the school, agreeing certain days when they needed to keep it quiet, says Garriga.” The constrained site meant they contractors had very limited space, but they managed to secure part of the street to store materials and place cabins. “The more difficult thing was keeping the school’s fire exits open, which meant the space was even smaller,” Garriga says. She adds: “With the landscape architect we introduced a rain garden, which is a really nice feature, and seats and planters, spaces to sit down and grow things.”
Conclusion
Looking ahead to future projects, Garriga is passionate about pursuing more Passivhaus-certified schemes – or at least using Passivhaus principles – wherever possible. “It needs to be the norm,” she says. “Looking at this type of fabric, the performance and this level of construction.” She strongly encourages the use of CLT in particular, but admits it is always easier with a client who “wants to do the right thing.”
The project completed in August 2023, so while the practice has as yet had limited feedback and data on the building’s performance, Garriga says comments they have heard so far have been positive. “The teachers, children and council have said they love the space,” she says. Asked to name her favourite element of the new school building, she chooses the open plan interior: “It is really different from what you get in a traditional school building, it’s a special sort of environment.” g
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF JANUARY 2024
calculations,” with
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