Mace helps make a green future for Plymouth schools

Mace has been appointed in an integrated project management, quantity surveying and CDM-C role on the new Hillside school project in Plymouth. The new £5.5m school is being showcased as the one of the greenest schools in the country using natural light, solar power, rainfall and water heated by the earth to cut its water and electricity use. 

Headteacher Cliff Edwards is delighted at plans for the new school: "We're thrilled that we are going to have one of the most exciting and energy efficient schools in the country. The architects and Mace (project manager) involved our youngsters in discussions and workshops to talk about what they wanted to see for their school, meaning all pupils have been involved right from the start so that they understand how the building works."

A turf-cutting ceremony with pupils, teachers and construction workers took place on Tuesday 24th July to celebrate the development of the environmentally friendly school.

Natural and recycled materials are being used as much as possible in the new building. A series of holes 20 metres deep are being dug into the ground at the site allowing for natural warmth from the earth to be used to heat the whole school and its water. Windows will be carefully positioned, east to west, to maximise light, saving on electricity. Windows and chimneys will also offer passive ventilation. Solar panels on the roof will generate electricity for lighting and rainwater will be collected and used to flush the toilets. The school will be built with a timber frame and cladding from sustainable forests. Mace project manager David Penn says: "The project is an exciting, new, special needs school that is utilising the Earth's natural resources. The contractor's design team have worked well with Mace to ensure nothing is wasted. The new school design will be a model for others to follow. Our aim to get an excellent BREEAM assessment is on track at present."

Work has just begun at Hillside and the school is expected to open for the Autumn 2008 term.