The challenge
Following the successful delivery of six temporary modular classrooms, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) wanted to create a permanent modular extension that would provide additional learning space for around 240 pupils at the Royal High School
– alongside a new technical workshop facility.
CEC also wanted a sustainable solution which limited the environmental impact of the overall construction, in line with the local authority’s statutory Net Zero commitments.
Amey was appointed as the principal designer and we worked with our specialist supply chain to develop a state-of-the-art modular building proposal, that incorporated key carbon reduction technologies in three fundamental stages.
Amey’s response
Our expert team looked at the design using a series of stages. The first of these focused on creating improved building fabric to promote better insulation, ventilation, and airtightness. The second stage involved reducing the carbon footprint of the mechanical and electrical services that provided air conditioning, heating, hot water, and lighting.
The third stage was a proposal for on-site power generation, through roof-mounted solar panels. Lighting designs were modelled using computer software to develop the most efficient LED arrangement, ensuring that the correct number, type and controls were adopted to achieve the optimum lighting levels and quality for learning environments.
CEC has now formally instructed the works to begin, and the team have started earthworks and off-site fabrication.
Outcomes
- Enhanced teaching capacity for c.240 pupils
- Design achieved EPC Scotland
Classification of ‘Carbon Neutral’ - Reduced energy consumption and costs
- Supporting CEC to reach Net Zero targets