Ashe Construction are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a new £7.7m project for the expansion and refurbishment of Thornhill Primary School in Houghton Regis.

Procured via the Pagabo Medium Works framework this new scheme for Central Bedfordshire Council will see the Ashe team deliver their first Passivhaus project. Working alongside ECD Architects, Keegans Group, Symmetrys Structural Engineers, MHL Consulting, KP Acoustics, and KLH UK Ltd, the new build extension will allow Thornhill Primary School to expand from a 1-form entry school to a 3-form entry school.

This exciting new project will be constructed using a cross laminated timber frame and has been design to the Passivhaus Standard. This places sustainability at the forefront of the new buildings design and will create a healthy learning environment for the Thornhill pupils. The incorporation of sustainable construction materials and the importance of whole life costing is demonstrated throughout the building with features such as; improved thermal comfort and excellent indoor air quality, in addition to it’s awe-inspiring architectural design.

Our delivery team have mobilised quickly for this project as work has begun on site this week to ensure the project can be delivered in time for the September 2021 school year. When asked about this impressive new scheme Ashe’s Managing Director Ian Robbins commented:
“We’re thrilled to have been awarded the Thornhill Primary School project. To deliver a Passivhaus scheme of this scale demonstrates our commitment to delivering buildings that leave a long lasting positive legacy for our clients.”

The project is part of a wider residential led masterplan for Houghton Regis North (HRN1) which is rapidly expanding the town, with Ashe having already been awarded the Linmere Farmstead works, due to commence in January 2021 further details on the Farmstead project can be found here.

Cllr Sue Clark, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “The amount of new homes planned for and currently being built in Houghton Regis shows just what a popular place the area is to live with families.

“The HRN1 development, will see over 5,000 new homes being provided. This expansion and the planned new schools as part of the development will ensure that there are sufficient places in the areas and allow children to attend schools on their doorstep.”

For more information on Passivhaus projects visit the Passivhaus Trust website here: www.passivhaustrust.org.uk