WindowMaster is supplying natural ventilation systems for two of the schools being constructed by the Newham Learning Partnership.
NLP is a consortium which has been selected by Newham Council to deliver its Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

WindowMaster worked closely with the design team in conjunction with both m&e consultant Hoare Lea and the architect Scott Brownrigg to produce bespoke schemes for two schools based on the NV Advance control system.

Rokeby School is being rebuilt on a new site while Lister School is being rebuilt on its existing site. Both schools, along with six others in the first phase of the construction programme, are due for completion in 2011. Because both schools are in urban areas, noise entering class rooms through open windows was a major issue.

WindowMaster undertook acoustic studies to determine the optimum times for opening and closing the windows. 'The issue with noise was dealt with by allowing the windows to be opened between lessons and at class changeovers, negating the need for opening windows during lesson time in the classrooms where noise could be a problem,' explained sales manager Carl Sutterby.

'The remaining classes were able to operate under normal NV Advance control according to the CO₂ and temperature requirements using the advance programming capabilities of the system.'

WindowMaster also worked with m&e contractor Cofely to install the system in the two schools. Lister features 541 actuators controlling windows in 91 zones while Rokeby is controlled in two separate areas. The main one includes 180 WindowMaster actuators controlling 55 zones. An extension was added to the original plan which includes an additional six zones controlled by 28 actuators.

Both schools use a hybrid solution combining natural ventilation through facade windows, roof windows and clerestory glazing to the upper floors, and natural ventilation with mechanical assistance on the ground floors.

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