Located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Sandal Magna School is one of the UK’s most carbon-efficient learning centres. Accommodating 210 pupils with a 30-place nursery, the school was constructed largely from sustainably harvested timber.

The mechanical and electrical engineering has been left exposed as part of the architectural expression. The buildings serve as showcases for sustainability-in-action, where students can observe the passage of rainwater from the green roof through clear pipes, or read the course electricity takes through the school. Aside from the regular curriculum, pupils are taught the importance of energy efficiency, and they also grow some of their own produce on-site

The 1650m2, three-winged school employs passive design where possible; it has ample daylight to internal spaces and is naturally ventilated, with the exception of the ICT room. 100sqm of photovoltaic panels power a ground source heat pump connected to 12 boreholes, which provide underfloor heating, hot water and ICT room cooling. Brickwork, while architecturally striking, provides thermal mass to keep classrooms cool during the day. Low embodied-energy construction materials were preferred.