Choice of raw materials in construction

sustainability-choice-of-raw-materials-in-construction

Facts and figures

  • 70 per cent of staff and suppliers were local
  • Weld mesh around the pitch was re-used as screening for adjacent housing
  • Crumbled demolition waste from the old school was used to raise the playing fields by 1.5 metres, preventing flooding and improving drainage
  • The mechanical ventilation in the atrium was replaced by attenuated louvres to save energy via natural ventilation
  • Rainwater harvesting: 70 per cent of the roof area runs into the system, which feeds the school toilets
  • Our filter system cleaned muddy water from works prior to discharge into the storm water system

Why did we do this?

Flexibility and inspirational design were inherent in Interserve's construction remit for Torquay Community College, a Building Schools for the Future Private Finance Initiative.

How did we do this?

The new £28 million pathfinder college, with its exterior pre-cast giant panel walls of Cornish concrete, soaring glass features and open, airy interior is a building for the future that has truly met the remit. The state-of-the-art school for 1,200 pupils includes environmental features such as photovoltaic cells, automatic windows, rainwater collection and natural ventilation. As well as adding value to the finished product we also conducted the build sustainably, engaging with the local community and reducing energy, waste and nuisance wherever possible.

Benefits

  • Reduced use of virgin materials:
    • Re-used 250m of palisade fencing and repaired existing fencing with spares
    • 80 per cent of the concrete panels used in the main building were recycled
    • Recycled material for aluminium windows
    • 30 plastic picnic tables were 100 per cent recycled
    • 100 per cent recycled material attenuation tank crates
    • Excavation and demolition waste was re-used saving £250,000 disposal costs
    • Stored topsoil was used to protect trees and re-used after the main project
  • All timber was local and FSC-certified
  • Water-based paints and solvents were used avoiding pollution
  • Recyclable, thin wall steel tube was used for heating pipe work

For more information email us quoting reference (sdcs 5710): sustainable.development@interserve.com