Haberdashers’ Monmouth School

Implementing the masterplan included remodelling, extending, and adapting existing structures to create a series of new facilities, including:

• School House and Main Building
  Renovations included reconfiguring the historic boarding houses, including the Grade II-listed School House, into classroom and common spaces. The existing School House staircase, previously blocked in with shower rooms, was opened up, allowing daylight to flood the building and creating a beautiful central circulation space. Fragile lath-and-plaster walls and listed fabric meant services could not be concealed, so highly considered details for exposed containment and acoustic panels were developed. 
  
  The integration of the panels created an opportunity for new fire alarm and electrical installations in the building and provided acoustic treatment to classrooms that had historically been affected by noise from the neighbouring dual carriageway.  Existing chimneys were lined with resin to act as ductwork routes for new toilets, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery was carefully woven through the existing fabric to allow fresh air to those classrooms. 
   
• Sixth Form Centre
  The Sixth Form Centre project included the renovation of a 1960s building and insertion of a new atrium and entrance providing a bridge between two existing buildings and activating underutilised spaces. Integration of natural daylight and ventilation provides a connection to the surrounding woodland, complemented by a new lighting scheme. New cladding and insulation added to the 1960s building improves performance. Air-source heat pumps, combined with underfloor heating and fanned convectors, prioritise comfort and sustainability while roof-installed photovoltaic panels supply electricity. A hot water heat pump also provides hot water to the new all-electric kitchen.
   
• Salter House
  A high-performance facade was retrofitted to the Salter Building, alongside a large rooftop solar array and a high-efficiency, fully electric heating and cooling system. The science labs were retrofitted with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to ensure a fresh, comfortable learning environment.
   
• Dining Hall
  In the Dining Hall, where approximately 80% of the original building fabric was retained, an upgraded envelope of metal cladding and insulation reduces heating requirement, while photovoltaic panels provide supplemental energy. Improved passive and mechanical ventilation provide greater comfort and energy regulation, and selected areas, including the main dining area, are served by a new heat pump system. Roof-installed photovoltaic panels supply electricity. 
   
• Dance Studio
  The Dance Studio project converted three dilapidated squash courts into a large studio, changing spaces and staff offices. Wrapping the building with a new insulated skin, led to major improvements in performance, driving down the heating and cooling requirements of the fully electrified building. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and a three-pipe heating and cooling system enable the large dance space to be subdivided when required. The system also recovers heat from the space during cooling to supply heat to the rest of the building. Large rooflights maximise daylight, with controllable blinds and a feature lighting scheme giving the space full flexibility for performances and rehearsals. A solar array on the roof offsets a significant portion of the building's electrical use throughout the year.