NetZero Buildings has won a prestigious award from the Department of Education in recognition of the outstanding environmental credentials of a new net zero carbon school development delivered in Cornwall.
The Cambridgeshire business won the Environment accolade at the Department for Education (DfE) Capital Supplier Recognition Awards, for its work delivering a new block of net zero carbon classrooms at the Humphry Davy Secondary School in Penzance.
The project at Humphry Davy school, a specialist music college, has seen the school’s 687 pupils benefit from a brand new, net zero carbon classroom block equipped with up-to-date IT technology and a modern learning environment.
From its factory in Cambridgeshire NetZero Buildings has pioneered the production of net zero carbon and energy positive buildings in Britain and delivered more than 100 A+ EPC rated schools, which generate more energy than they consume.
By manufacturing schools off-site in the factory NetZero Buildings can cut costs by almost 10% and reduce the amount of time construction works take place on site by up to 70%, when compared to traditional building methods.
This significantly reduces disruption to students, teaching staff and lessons.
The project at Humphry Davy began at the end of March 2019 and phase one of the new build was finished in mid-July.
Phase two was then completed in the six-week summer holiday before school resumed in September, minimising the disruption to students and teaching staff,
In seeing the project develop students have learned more about how modern methods of construction work, giving them a glimpse into the future of how building’s will be delivered in the 21st Century.
Modern methods of construction are gaining popularity in the education sector after then Chancellor Philip Hammond created a “presumption in favour” of off-site construction in the November 2017 budget. This presumption in favour applies to five Government departments: the Department for Transport, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.
NetZero Buildings has doubled its turnover year-on-year, buoyed by the demand for zero carbon buildings which has intensified since the British Government enshrined into law a commitment to become a net zero-carbon economy by 2050 – the world’s first major economy to make a net zero carbon commitment.
NetZero Buildings, which currently employs 66 full-time members of staff in three locations, expect demand to rise even further as in addition, more than half of Britain’s local authorities have declared a climate emergency.
The Environment Award was presented to Jon Crosby and Osman Yousef at NetZero Buildings at the event in September by Lord Agnew, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DfE, responsible for Schools.
Steve Murphy, CEO, of NetZero Buildings, said: “This award from the Government’s Department of Education is a huge endorsement of the high-quality, net zero carbon schools we manufacture in Cambridgeshire.
“We are delighted with the result of another hugely successful project which delivers better outcomes for the environment, local communities, and most importantly a better teaching and learning environment for the school’s staff and their young students.
“This award is a real testament to the professionalism and results achieved by our team who should rightly feel proud of their efforts and enjoy the fact that their work has been recognised and appreciated by the people who run Britain’s school system. We could not be more proud of our team.”
ENDS