Manchester Health Academy

To enable growth from 720 to over 1200 pupils by 2022, Bowker Sadler Architecture worked with Manchester Health Academy to create a masterplan to provide world-class facilities. The new 16 classroom block was the largest phase of the 4 distinct and separate phases of work completed over 2 years on-site.

Designed as a simple, restrained architectural evolution of the existing building, externally the new block features colourful window reveals that hint at the original cladding colours.

The multi-use atrium, in the centre of the new block, creates a flexible vibrant open space that the Academy is keen to use as much as possible.

The design incorporates a range of sustainable principles including optimising natural light, thermal mass, a green roof and assisted natural ventilation.

To enhance the building’s performance, although not a funding requirement, the S I Sealy team advised the client to design the building to comply with CIBSE TM52 (Adaptive Thermal Comfort). By undertaking extensive thermal modelling, greatly enhancing the performance of the thermal envelope and glazing, increasing the natural ventilation airflow rates through the atrium and using low energy lighting and MVHR systems, the building passed TM52; and the need to install mechanical cooling in many parts of the building was avoided. This greatly reduced both the initial capital cost and the long term running costs of the School, in addition to reducing its carbon footprint.

All these measures resulted in the building’s carbon emission rate of just 11.4 KgCO2/m2 per annum, a highly sustainable development.

Photography by Beccy Lane at Positive Image Photography