Go-ahead for ‘passivhaus’ school

PLANNING permission has been granted for what is understood to be Scotland’s first High School designed to the energy-efficiency principles known as ‘Passivhaus’.

Members of The City of Edinburgh Council’s development management sub-committee yesterday gave the green light for the scheme, which will also include learning in outdoor settings and what is being described as an ‘inter-generational hub’ that will allow daytime, evening and weekend access by everyone to, among other things, a library, cafe and a gym.

The council is promoting the proposed school – in Currie, to the south-west of the city – as a standard for other school buildings.

It says (here): “Passivhaus is a rigorous energy standard which reduces the amount of energy needed for heating by up to 90 per cent. It also lowers the total amount of energy used by around 70 per cent and minimises carbon emissions. The new school will support Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.”

Construction is expected to start on the school in the summer and be completed in 2024.

Picture credit: Architype / Dalgety Design