Construction specialist, Darwin Group is set to start work on making a Romsey based school, a `net zero` building by 2022.

The St Edwards School will be one of the UK’s first educational buildings to be Passivhaus which is a design that maintains constant temperature.

The new 631sq m. teaching block will include six classrooms, group learning areas and a sensory room will also be given net zero certification.

Sally Webb, director of development at St Edward’s School, said: “We are delighted to be working with Darwin Group. Our brief to the team was to design a building that sits well in the natural environment, creates a synergy with Melchet Court and meets the requirements of our SEMH pupils. At St Edward’s.

“We are committed to the stewardship of our environment and therefore carbon neutrality is a target that has a moral imperative for all of us.”

The 38-week building project has been designed to reduce energy demands and running costs.

Approved windows will reduce heat loss in the rooms by more than 70% compared to existing double-glazed windows.

A heat recovery system has also been proposed to reduce ventilation heat losses by up to 90%.

The school campus is made up of a former manor house, built in 1868 and set in 180 acres of land. The team of designers and architects have accepted the challenge of creating a new build which works with the Grade II listed building.

Charles Pierce, Managing Director of Darwin Group, said: “We are passionate about sustainable educational buildings, so it has been a privilege to be appointed by a client whose values align. Working together, we have the opportunity create a school block which pushes the boundaries of sustainability to achieve one of the first net zero educational environments. The pre-construction plans are coming together brilliantly and we’re looking forward to utilising our off-site techniques to deliver high quality construction.

Work on site is due to begin in October.

For more information visit www.darwingroupltd.co.uk