Environmental
The HOCA Practice holds a British Standards Institute Certificate No. EMS 545150.
We operate a Quality Management System which complies with the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 for Architectural Design and Technical Services.
Key environmental and service related issues are examined to determine how these can contribute to creating a good learning environment.
We operate a Quality Management System which complies with the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 for Architectural Design and Technical Services.
Key environmental and service related issues are examined to determine how these can contribute to creating a good learning environment.
Overview Consideration.
We remain mindful of the benefits enjoyed by children, teachers and school staff when surrounded by appropriate environments. Within the context of a primary school, teaching and learning are not confined to internal spaces but include external spaces also.
We remain mindful of the benefits enjoyed by children, teachers and school staff when surrounded by appropriate environments. Within the context of a primary school, teaching and learning are not confined to internal spaces but include external spaces also.
- Compliant Spaces: HOCA design primary school spaces in accordance with the requirements set out in BB99 together with other Building Bulletins.
- Natural Daylight: We also design teaching and learning spaces so that no desk or worktop space is more than 7M from natural daylight sources. Where this cannot be achieved by the windows in the normal way, we will incorporate a series of Sun Tubes which deposit natural daylight directly into the required location.
- View Out: We design school environments where the children have the facility to see out from their internal environment. This is achieved by designing in windows that begin at floor level or as near as possible to the floor level. This is also to provide the children with the opportunity of being in direct contact with their external environment.
- Glare Control: This is achieved by locating the glazed elements in locations which have the least impact from the orientation of the sun. In addition, the canopy structure or Brie Solar system forming part of the design solution will be brought into play to satisfy glare control. Where further provision is required for specific internal activities sun blinds or anti-glare glass will be incorporated into the window system.
- Internal & External Lighting Levels: HOCA design their internal school environments to comply with the appropriate standards. Sun tubes will be fitted where additional natural light is required. These are used effectively where the depth of some teaching spaces are beyond 7M from the perimeter windows.
- Natural Ventilation: We are always keen to promote the use of natural ventilation in all our school buildings. Where insufficient fresh air cannot be achieved HOCA introduce the use of a Windcatcher which can provide both fresh air and natural light.
Thermal Comfort & Control.
HOCA are mindful of the requirement for wall-space within teaching areas and radiators do not assist in this respect.
Warm air heating or high level radiant heat is generally deemed to be a poor solution for children. We have overcome this issue in many schools by designing in underfloor heating which provides the heat at a level where children spend much of their time. Controlling the room temperature is simple and usually managed very effectively by the School Facilities Manager.
HOCA are mindful of the requirement for wall-space within teaching areas and radiators do not assist in this respect.
Warm air heating or high level radiant heat is generally deemed to be a poor solution for children. We have overcome this issue in many schools by designing in underfloor heating which provides the heat at a level where children spend much of their time. Controlling the room temperature is simple and usually managed very effectively by the School Facilities Manager.
- Insulation: We design our school buildings to comply with BS8300 in the first instance and with all the current standards and requirements. We insulate the walls, floors and roof to ensure the correct U-Value and environmental temperature is achieved for the children and school staff.
- Acoustics Control: We adhere to BB93 when designing for acoustic control within schools. We are aware of the benefits for appropriate acoustic treatment to teaching and learning spaces, especially within SEN bases. We provide the correct level of acoustic control by designing the ceiling and finishes to achieve this objective. Where a particularly high level of acoustic control is required (music rooms for instance) we will incorporate acoustic control to the walls to control both airborne and impact sound.
- Noise Attenuation (Plant): Where there is a requirement for plant (Kitchen Installation) we will locate the kitchen and the associate roof plant in a location that will generate the least inconvenience to the functionality of the school.
- Flood Risk: At the commencement of the Feasibility Study we will check with the Environment Agency to determine where the school site is situated within a flood plain. Depending on the findings we will design accordingly and utilise the services of an experienced Hydrologist to provide this specialist expert advice.
- Colour: HOCA promote the use of neutral colours so as to maintain a balanced feeling of colour within the teaching and learning spaces. We endeavour to design in children's display places on walls in order to organise the different zones of colour.
- External Water & Electric Supply: We recognise the value of including in the design a provision for an external water supply to the Nursery and Reception external play space. Equally, and in order to assist teaching externally we provide external electrical supply to support.
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The result of the school's partnership with HOCA is great but the journey to get there was also smooth, productive, and a real partnership ..... |