Advancing Towards Net Zero in Education: Auburn Group's Innovative Approach at Zone 3, Greatfields School

Embracing Net Zero Goals in the Education Sector

The urgency of addressing climate change is increasingly evident, and the education sector is no exception. Recent reports, such as the one highlighted by Edexec, reveal a concerning slow pace in reaching net zero targets in UK schools. By 2050, only about 20% of schools are projected to be net zero compliant, underscoring the significant climate risks and funding challenges in achieving sustainability goals​​.

Auburn Group's Role in Transforming Zone 3, Greatfields School

In this context, Auburn Group's initiative at Greatfields School represents a significant step towards sustainability in the education sector. By employing the Net Zero Panelised X-Guard panel solution, Auburn Group demonstrates a proactive approach in reducing embodied carbon in educational infrastructure, and this is in addition to the operational carbon savings but is in the building for life.

The Net Zero X-Guard Panel Solution: The Overview

The X-Guard panels, as offered by Net Zero Buildings, are designed to provide a comprehensive solution to the challenges of sustainable construction. Here's an overview of these innovative panels:

•                    High Performance: The panels are recognised for their high performance in every aspect, ensuring compliance with diverse build solutions without any compromise​​.

•                    Full Structural Solutions: Utilising a 'kit of parts' approach, the panels can meet various compliance needs, with a range of structural steel or timber internal and external panels, non-loadbearing walls, roof options, and floor cassettes​​.

•                    Combustibility and Zero Carbon: The panels balance non-combustibility and zero carbon, exceeding previous testing standards. They reduce operational carbon through PV, fenestration, and heating upgrades, and embodied carbon in materials over the structure's life. This balance, vital for client choices, is influenced by market factors like insurance and education regulations. The All-Party Parliamentary Group's report highlights benefits, but Auburn Group selected the hybrid system's ability to assess and significantly reduce embodied carbon without extra cost, an advantage often overlooked by others.

Advantages of the X-Guard Panel Solution

•                    Flexibility: The panels offer flexibility with interchangeable building components like roof and floor cassettes, and internal wall build-ups, catering to different project needs​​, around combustibility and embodied carbon.

•                    Range of Substrates: They provide a variety of substrates to choose from, depending on the performance needs of the building, including timber, steel, or a mixture of both​​, what are the priorities of your client?

•                    Lowest Embodied Carbon: The structural, closed-panel timber system of the X-Guard panels used in this scheme boasts the lowest embodied carbon credentials Auburn could have chosen while maintaining high performance​​ and compliance.

•                    Reduced Environmental Impact: The boarding solution used in the panels has been tested against 21 other fire boards, showing the lowest impact on the environment, as indicated by their Environmental Product Declarations​​.

•                    All a question of balance: Our client demands robust floors with good acoustics and fire performance, leading us to choose PCC floors. Although they have more embodied carbon than timber, our lighter structure reduces concrete use, ultimately lowering overall embodied carbon. For walls, we use mineral wool insulation, which isn't the most environmentally friendly but is necessary for non-combustibility. However, our board and structural frame, being highly environmentally efficient, provide a counterbalance. Thus, we prioritise a balance between proven, tested solutions and environmental considerations.

Conclusion: A Model for Sustainable Education Infrastructure

Auburn Group's utilisation of the X-Guard panel solution on Zone 3, Greatfields School is more than just a construction project; it's a model for sustainable development in the education sector, but we take balance very seriously weighting every choice with our clients requirements against todays best practice, and the weight of our responsibility to our planet, regardless of the current governments view .

This approach not only addresses current sustainability needs but also sets a forward-thinking example for future school constructions. This is our view and ethos, is we are not perfectbut we are different, weendeavour to create the best learning spaces for the future of the pupils that will use the buildings, that these building are safe, that function, futureproofed and buildings that don’t harm the future of our children, and any compromise is done for the best outcome of the occupants.

For a deeper understanding of the government's progress towards net zero targets in schools, read the full article on Edexec.