Eco school buildings that save energy: here's how

Eco school buildings are a hot topic in education right now, with government incentives like the green flag awards encouraging schools to think sustainably and commit to environmentally friendly practices. If you are serious about a truly eco school building that does more than just tick the boxes, however, energy is a compulsory topic – tackling it is an excellent way to both reduce your school’s emissions and to save money through lower energy bills.

A-rated windows and doors. These are the easiest way for heat to escape from the building – so it makes sense that windows and doors that are highly rated for energy efficiency will make a big difference to the thermal performance of your building. At Vertis, we pride ourselves on only using windows and doors with an A rating.
Exceptional insulation. From the walls to the roof, well-insulated building materials are key to a warm building that won’t cost the earth to heat. We construct our modular school buildings using SIPS (structural insulated panel systems) to guarantee year-round warmth thanks to the best insulation possible.
Roof Windows. Roof windows provide 40% more light than wall windows, creating a much more energy efficient room.

All materials used to create a Vertis classroom are made in the UK, keeping the CO2 footprint of our classrooms to a minimum. Our ‘swift plinth’ foundation system uses 95% less concrete than a traditional slab foundation. Our modular classrooms fit in with the surroundings. Fitting in with surroundings is key to our eco-modular building designs, so living Sedum roofs made from small alpine plants sewn into netting are a popular feature. Here are some energy efficient buildings we have designed and built for eco schools recently:

• Sutton Valence School needed to replace an existing mobile building used as a temporary classroom block. The school wanted to build in its place a striking and imaginatively designed, new Religious Studies hub. The previous building was an uninspiring space, that was cold in the winter and very warm in the summer. The new classrooms built by Vertis are more energy efficient than a traditional classroom:
  
  • Equipped with an energy-efficient Passivent mixed-mode hybrid ventilation system, discretely concealed within the ceiling void, stale air is extracted and replaced with fresh air, whilst optimising CO₂ levels. This, in conjunction with the air conditioning units installed, helps pupils stay alert for longer, which makes it easier to teach a classroom of pupils.
    
  • The building fabric exceeds thermal insulation and air-tightness requirements to afford a high-performance, sustainable and low-running-cost operation.
  • LED lighting and power along with full climate control, by virtue of air-to-air heat pumps and CO₂ control ventilation system.
    
• St Catherine’s Prep School needed a school outbuilding to serve as an outdoor classroom, doubling up as a meeting space. This stunning eco building is an energy efficient structure featuring larch cladding for excellent thermal performance.
• Goat Lees Primary required a dedicated music room that would be used both as a classroom and a performance space. We constructed an innovatively designed school building using durable materials and featuring flexible, folding doors that open on to the stage and seating area.

A sustainable solution for future generations

As well as saving costs and providing a warm and comfortable learning environment, energy efficient eco school buildings are a great investment for the future. Made from sustainable materials and crafted by experts, our modular school buildings are highly durable, with an expected lifespan of at least 50 years. By choosing a modular eco-friendly classroom, you’ll be endowing your school with an environment where pupils will learn and thrive for decades to come.

Looking for an eco-friendly classroom? Request a consultation to see what's possible for your school.