Council and partners shortlisted for prestigious green construction award
Shropshire Council, Read Construction Holdings Ltd and PSG (Shropshire Council’s Property Services Group) have been shortlisted for its state-of-the-art teaching hub at Meole Brace School, Shrewsbury.
Constructing Excellence West Midlands Award 2022 logo
Read Construction Holdings Ltd were one of 8 applicants shortlisted for the Net Zero category for the Constructing Excellence West Midlands Awards 2022.
The project was designed by PSG and awarded to Read Construction Holdings Ltd, and is one of the first to drive the change towards more sustainable projects to meet the council’s 2030 carbon targets.
The new Meole Brace teaching hub
The new two-storey building will form the RE teaching ‘hub’ for Meole Brace School and will also have an external recreation area.
Five classrooms will be provided along with a small group meeting room, a staff room, toilets, and storage. The building will occupy a prominent site at the front of the school campus and be built to the highest modern standards; and will also be ‘zero-carbon’.
Net Zero category
The Net Zero category demonstrates the high environmental and climate performance in construction that aims to meet present day needs for housing, working environments and infrastructure without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs in times to come.
This award looks at those projects that seek to limit impact on the natural environment and demonstrate whole life sustainability. It is most effective when organisational culture, high design quality, technical innovation and transferability are abundant.
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, said:-
“This is fantastic news! The Net Zero Vanguard project at Meole Brace School is one of the first council-led projects to drive the change towards sustainable projects to meet the council’s 2030 carbon targets, and to create sustainable education provision.
“Our Meole Brace School development has been commended for its innovative design solutions that make a positive contribution to alleviate the climate change emergency. This sustainable project was carefully designed and constructed with net zero credentials and has enhanced biodiversity and habitats.
“This Vanguard Building represents a key step forward in building design for us. It has been designed to be ‘zero-carbon’ and is a demonstration of our commitment to responding to the climate crisis. The building is highly efficient and has been built to achieve the internationally respected Passivhaus standard, a first for a Shropshire education facility.
“Congratulations to all involved and good luck at the finals in May.”
Alex Read, Director at Read Construction, added:
“This project represents what can be achieved when like-minded clients, contractors, consultants and supply chains are united in their ambition to really tackle climate change head on.
“The Vanguard building is an exemplar project in low energy, passive design that integrated robust construction materials designed for long life, low maintenance operation. We are proud to have been part of the journey on this project and look forward to taking the lessons we have learnt forward onto future schemes.”
Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-
“I am delighted that we’ve been shortlisted for what is a fantastic new facility for Meole Brace School.
“The new teaching hub is one of several projects we are investing in to secure high-quality and sustainable provision of primary and secondary places in Shrewsbury and surrounding areas.
“As a beacon of sustainable excellence, we are so proud of the team who have developed the site that will benefit the children who will continue their learning in a building and classes that are fit for purpose and set a benchmark for others to follow.”
Judging panel
The judging panel recognised the commitment of the integrated team of designers, client, school stakeholders, contractor (Read Construction) and supply partners, and their ambition to put climate change solutions at the heart of this project.
Winners will be announced at the Constructing Excellence West Midlands Awards 2022 event on 12 May at Edgbaston, Birmingham
You can find out more on the awards here: About the awards – West – Constructing Excellence Midlands
To find out more about PSG and the Meole Brace School – Vanguard Building, visit Meole Brace School – The Vanguard Building – PSG (shropshire.gov.uk)
Further information
The project was commissioned by Shropshire Council’s learning and skills team in response to increasing demand for secondary school places in Shrewsbury. PSG carried out initial feasibility work, proceeded to establish the design for the building and set out the high environmental standards. The contract was tendered on a Design and Build basis and awarded to Wrexham-based contractor Read Construction Ltd.
Contractor’s design team:-
- Architects: TACP Architects
- Passivhaus Consultant: HLM Architects
- M&E Consultant: Davies Partnership
- Structural Engineers: JP Structural Design
