Westborough Academy Low Carbon Masterplan: Phase 1

OR Consulting &emdash; Westborough Academy Low Carbon Masterplan: Phase 1

The works resulted in a 74% reduction in CO2 emissions relating to heating and hot water loads and a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions relating to electrical loads.

OR Consulting — Westborough Academy Low Carbon Masterplan: Phase 1

This groundbreaking project took an innovative approach by combining low-carbon engineering techniques with the re-use of existing Victorian building stock, transforming the space into a low-energy, flexible environment. Partially funded by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), the project’s performance was carefully monitored post-occupancy to assess how these strategies could serve as a model for future education sector developments.

The project stands as a powerful example of how sustainable, low-carbon solutions can be applied to historic buildings, not only reducing environmental impact but also offering a flexible and efficient space for the education sector to thrive.

 

OR Consulting were proud to act as building services, lighting, and acoustic consultants, working closely with the team to develop the project’s environmental design strategy, which incorporated:

  • Enhancing passive performance — improving the building’s thermal efficiency and overall energy performance.
  • Biomass heating — integrating a biomass boiler to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources.
  • Solar power — adding photovoltaic panels to generate on-site renewable electricity.
  • Optimising air quality — implementing heat recovery ventilation techniques for energy-efficient air circulation.
  • Acoustic solutions — carefully detailing acoustic measures that support natural ventilation and passive cooling, improving air flow while minimizing noise.
  • Energy monitoring — introducing smart metering to track and optimize energy use.