Staffordshire University Nursery/

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

United Kingdom

Project Details

Location

Location(City/Country):

Stoke on Trent / United Kingdom
Tipology

Tipology:

Educational
Year

Year (Design/Construction):

2019 / 2022
Area

Area (Net/Gross):

- / 751 m2
Operational Carbon emissions

Operational Carbon emissions (B6) kgCO2e/m2/y:

-
Embodied Carbon emissions

Embodied Carbon emissions (A1-A3) kgCO2e/m2:

-
  • The reduction of cement use in the building was prioritised, replacing screed floors with a build-up using timber and plywood.
  • The ventilation Strategy was designed from inception to reduce reliance on mechanical ventilation systems.
  •  If building services are to be excluded the building achieves net zero carbon over it’s 60 year lifespan.
  • The design avoids the need for mechanical cooling (to minimise energy consumption). Key features of this strategy are the external walkway, that acts as a solar shade in summer, and the earth ducts that provide ground coupling for chilled air during nap time when a lower air temperature is required.
  • The shaded glazing and rooflights provide good daylight in the play areas, while the sleep areas are tucked away in a darker corner of the room, reducing reliance on electrical services.
  • The building is heated by air source heat pumps and underfloor heating throughout, with rooftop PV to provide local electricity generation. Any excess generation is fed back into the university’s network so that it is used on campus, rather than exported.

 

*Embodied / whole-life carbon (excl Sequestration over 60 year ref period)
204 KgCO2eq/m2   (Excludes MEP systems and assumes that the building will be dismantled at end of life)

FCBStudios Woodland Nursery for Staffordshire University located in Stoke-On-Trent, puts play, development, wellbeing and nature at the heart of early years education, in a near net zero carbon building.

A deceptively simple single storey building, the nursery is made of two wings which enclose a play garden, address the neighbouring nature reserve, and give privacy and protection from the neighbouring road and student accommodation. Each classroom opens directly into the garden and the classrooms for the different age groups are linked by a covered colonnade.

Designed as a natural learning environment, the timber structure connects to the adjacent trees and woodland. The garden encourages curiosity, adventure and child-led learning, through planting, textures and natural materials and inside, low windows, recessed seating and external benches encourage the children to explore and connect with the outside.

If building services are excluded ,the nursery achieves net zero carbon both in construction and in-use.

The building fabric targets were based on Passivhaus standards, however the operation of the building meant that the doors to the play area would be open most of the year which led to a natural ventilation strategy. The big, open doors in summer allow plenty of airflow, and the colonnade shades the interior spaces.

Materials which would enhance the natural feel of the spaces were selected: birch faced plywood, natural rubber flooring and wood wool ceiling bats fixed between the timber frame. Fixed timber furniture divides the spaces, but also houses the slatted grille of the earth tube air supply duct to bring fresh tempered air into each space. The exposed timber, natural finishes and plentiful daylight throughout helps set a calm atmosphere within the learning spaces.

A strategy for the reduction of cement use in the building was prioritised, replacing screed floors with a build-up using timber and plywood. The building size was also carefully developed to suit available timber and cassette sizes etc. to help reduce wastage.

As the first carbon neutral building(excluding services) on the Staffordshire University Campus, the nursery is a facility that supports the community and the next generation, through learning, teaching and embedding the university’s ambitions for a more sustainable future.

Additional Information : 

Project Team 

Client: Staffordshire University

Project Manager: Mace

Cost Consultant: Mace

Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Structural Engineer: CIVIC Engineers

Building Services Engineer: Max Fordham

Landscape Design: Re-form Landscape

Transport Consultant: CIVIC Engineers Contractor: Henry Brothers, Midlands

Tender date: August 2019 (project start date)

Start on site date: May 2021

Completion date: September 2022

Gross internal floor area: 751 SQ.M GIA

Form of contract and/or procurement:  Design and Build

Total cost:  Project value: £4.4m

Construction Value: £3.1m

Photography: Daniel Hopkinson

Environmental Performance / Sustainability Data– as available

Percentage of floor area with daylight factor >2%        37.3 %
Percentage of floor area with daylight factor >5%             0 %
On-site energy generation                                                      89%
Airtightness at 50pa                                               2.74 m3/h.m2
Heating and hot water load                              29.7 kwh/m2/yr
Overall area-weighted u-value                               0.21  W/m2k
Design Life
60 year reference period taken as scope for the whole life carbon assessment.

Embodied / whole-life carbon (excl Sequestration over 60 year ref period)
204 KgCO2eq/m2   (Excludes MEP systems and assumes that the building will be dismantled at end of life)

Embodied / whole-life carbon (inc Sequestration over 60 year ref period)

-9 KgCO2eq/m2  (Excludes MEP systems and assumes that the building will be dismantled at end of life)

Annual CO2 emissions   (operational)       3.8 KgCO2eq/m2

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