Client: Malmesbury School & James Dyson Foundation
Services: Sustainability Consultancy | Energy Strategy | Carbon Reduction Planning | RIBA Stage 3 MEPH Design
Overview
QODA was appointed as sustainability consultant for a forward-thinking education project at Malmesbury School, supported by the James Dyson Foundation. The brief focused on embedding long-term sustainability principles into both the design and operation of the school estate, aligning with Dyson’s innovation-led values and the school’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Project vision
The aim was to futureproof the school estate by reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions, and integrating low- and zero-carbon technologies into development plans. This strategic approach ensures that sustainability becomes a core principle, not an afterthought.
Key features
Energy & Carbon Strategy:
Comprehensive review of energy use and carbon reduction opportunities.
Low-Carbon Technologies:
Assessment of renewable and efficient systems for future integration.
Infrastructure Performance:
Evaluation of existing systems to identify upgrade priorities.
Long-Term Impact:
Recommendations designed to deliver measurable, lasting improvements.
QODA’s role
QODA provided strategic sustainability advice to guide future development at Malmesbury School, working closely with the school leadership and the James Dyson Foundation to align environmental objectives with educational goals. In parallel, our Building Services Engineering team delivered a comprehensive Stage 3 MEPH design package, integrating low-carbon and energy-efficient systems to support the school’s long-term sustainability vision.
The scope included the integration of air source heat pumps (ASHP) for low-carbon heating, roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels for on-site renewable electricity generation, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to future-proof the site’s transport facilities. The design also incorporated an upgrade of the incoming electrical supply to 500 kVA to support the enhanced building load profile.
To improve indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency, the package included mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems, underfloor heating (UFH) for optimal comfort and efficiency, and coordinated passive design measures to reduce operational energy demand.
Impact
This project demonstrates how strategic planning combined with robust MEP design can enable educational institutions to take a leading role in sustainability. The integrated approach not only reduces operational carbon and energy costs but also supports the creation of learning environments that are comfortable, efficient and inspiring for future generations.
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