SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2007

Highly Commended

Leicestershire County Council
Castle Rock High School

This £9.5 million project accommodates 600 pupils aged ten to 14 and was procured under a framework agreement between Leicestershire County Council and the Contractors.

It is set into the site contours to minimise its visual impact and the design attempts to maximise natural light.

The design incorporates a range of sustainability features including occupancy sensing, zoned heating and lighting, low nox boilers, and thermal mass construction. A small wind vane and photovoltaic cells conserve energy and are used as teaching aids. Cross ventilation is controlled by an automatic Building Management System, which can be over ridden by users.

Using metering and percussive taps, water use is monitored, whilst storm water outfall is reduced using rainwater harvesting and ‘swales’ used as flood alleviation measures to minimise water ‘run-off’ site, but have also provided potential as natural habitats and opportunities for ecological bio-diversity. The scheme achieved a BREAM for schools ‘Very Good’ rating.

The ‘Green Guide to Specification’ was used for material selection together with Whole Life Costing Advice from Willmott Dixon, and the BRE and ‘Forum for the Future’ were involved at various stages.

The ‘A’ List Materials used include a larch frame, glulam beams, cedar cladding, a structural insulated panel system for walls and roofs, a rubber roof finish and low emissivity glazing for roof lights and windows. The use of offsite construction techniques minimised waste.

Architect:

Leicestershire County Council

Quantity Surveyor:

Leicestershire County Council

Structural Engineer:

Buro Happold

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer:

Leicestershire County Council

Main Contractor:

Willmott Dixon

Landscape Architect:

Munro & Whitten

Interior Designer:

Can UK