Tilbury Douglas is using groundbreaking biophilic design methods to build St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby
Progress is quickly moving thanks to an innovative, fast-track construction programme using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and biophilic design. In 2021, the Department for Education (DfE) chose the site as a pilot scheme after the previous school was destroyed in an arson attack.
The construction of the school will embrace methods from the Construction Playbook. It will operate as a net-zero carbon facility, with a focus on low embodied carbon. The school will also use a comprehensive digital strategy.
Tailored biophilic design methods
Designed by Hawkins\Brown architects, the school incorporates biophilic design principles tailored to improve the connection between students and the natural environment. The site at Darley Abbey is an ideal setting for the biophilic school.
The site is surrounded by a diverse array of mature trees, and an additional 96 new trees will be added. This approach aims to integrate the school into the biophilic landscape. The landscape plan also includes rain gardens, seasonal bulb planting, and meadow grasses.
St Mary’s has a unique layout, deviating from the usual single-building structure. There are five single-storey buildings connected by a covered central walkway. This design maximises natural light and provides easy access to the surrounding landscape.
All five buildings have been built on-site. The entrance block, which is the most complete building, is currently undergoing cladding using cedar. The remaining buildings are being insulated, and painters and decorators will begin work over the coming weeks.
Using insulated panels to fast-track construction
The rapid progress of the project can be attributed to the innovative Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) system. This system, consisting of interlocking load-bearing panels, is manufactured off-site and ensures exceptional performance in terms of thermal insulation, fire safety, and acoustics.
“I have previously delivered six school projects for the DfE – this is the first time I have used a SIPs system, and it’s been a real game-changer,” said Tilbury Douglas’s project manager, Neil Holland.
“The project is moving at a considerable pace, and the quality that is being delivered is excellent and complementary to our Tilbury Douglas ‘Right-First Time’ approach,” he added.
The project is scheduled to open in late October 2023, coinciding with the return of pupils after the Autumn half term. Landscaping works will be finalised after the school’s opening, aligning with the appropriate planting seasons and the school’s biophilic design.
