vHH is excited to announce that we have submitted planning documents for a brand new NZEB primary school at Urban& Civic’s Waterbeach Barracks development. The 3FE school and pre-school will be the first of the new community and is intended to be an important civic presence within the development, providing high quality education in a generous facility with an inspiring landscaping design.
The design is inherently sustainable with 80% onsite renewables, Passivhaus principles of form factor, orientation and low energy use. The design also considers reducing embodied carbon within its construction, with a CLT structure , bio-based external wall build ups and minimal concrete raft foundation.
Our design is made up of three areas; teaching wing, central hall and pre-school, with carefully designed zoning for community use and spaces which can be adapted for different pedagogical layouts. Through extensive engagement with client and stakeholders we have also been able to work on design solutions such as compact massing, which have allowed us to achieve an exemplary energy efficient proposal. The school will be fronted by a plaza area, intended as a meeting place and for community events; an extension of Waterbeach woods, linking the building to its surroundings and referencing the rural landscape beyond.
