Project Overview
The Liberton Community Campus, currently under development in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a pioneering project that exemplifies sustainable design and community integration. Serving as a replacement for the existing Liberton High School, the campus is designed to accommodate 1,200 students and incorporates various community facilities, including a public library, a GP practice, and workspaces for local authority partners. A key objective of the project is to achieve Passivhaus Classic certification, reflecting a commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Challenge
Achieving Passivhaus standards necessitates meticulous attention to building components to minimize energy consumption and enhance occupant comfort. One critical aspect is the mitigation of thermal bridging, which can lead to heat loss, condensation issues, and compromised structural integrity. The design team faced the challenge of selecting materials that would effectively address thermal bridging while supporting the building’s structural demands.
Solution
To meet these stringent requirements, the project incorporated TekTherm™ AK300HT structural thermal breaks, supplied by Thermal Breaks Ltd. This material was selected due to its exceptional properties:
- High Compressive Strength: TekTherm™ AK300HT offers superior load-bearing capacity, ensuring structural stability in various applications, including steel-to-steel and steel-to-concrete connections.
- Low Thermal Conductivity: The material’s excellent insulation properties significantly reduce heat transfer, effectively mitigating thermal bridging.
- Passive House Certification: TekTherm™ AK300HT is a certified Passive House component, aligning perfectly with the project’s goal of achieving Passivhaus Classic standards. Passive House Database
Implementation
The design and construction teams collaborated closely to integrate TekTherm™ AK300HT thermal breaks at critical junctions throughout the campus’s structure. This strategic placement ensured the interruption of thermal bridging paths without compromising the building’s structural integrity. The material’s versatility allowed for seamless incorporation into various structural connections, including balconies, canopies, and façade systems.
Results
The integration of TekTherm™ AK300HT has been instrumental in advancing the Liberton Community Campus toward its Passivhaus certification goals. By effectively minimising thermal bridging, the campus is projected to achieve significant energy savings, enhance indoor environmental quality, and reduce operational costs. These benefits align with the City of Edinburgh Council’s commitment to energy efficiency and its 2030 Net Zero target.
Conclusion
The use of TekTherm™ AK300HT thermal breaks in the Liberton Community Campus project underscores the critical role of advanced materials in sustainable construction. This case study highlights how the thoughtful selection and integration of certified components can lead to substantial improvements in energy efficiency and occupant comfort, setting a benchmark for future educational and community facilities.