Northwood College for Girls, New Science Block

The Girls Day School Trust commissioned us to undertake the RIBA Stage 4 Technical Design of new a three-storey science block at the front of the Northwood College for Girls. The project comprises nine science labs, a large prep room, common room, reception and admin areas and a junior science lab housed on the ground floor.

The design incorporates a range of sustainable principles, including Air Source Heat Pumps, which distributes the heating and cooling through VRF cassettes throughout the building. The ground floor is heated with a low-temperature underfloor heating system that runs from the Air Source Heat Pumps. High-efficiency ventilation with Heat recovery systems provides ventilation to all the classrooms and lab spaces within the building. A 20m2 solar array has been installed on the roof to complement the all-electric building design.

Thermal Comfort Modelling was conducted on all spaces within the design showing their compliance with TM52 & CIBSE GUIDE A requirements. Thermal Comfort Modelling & CBDM Compliance (climate-based daylight modelling) was achieved by our in-house building & energy modelling department, who worked closely with the architects to ensure high levels of daylight quality in the window design for all classrooms and labs.

The building complies with London Plan carbon emissions reduction requirements with a total emission reduction on Part L by 31% with the building achieving a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ level.