CS02 RosMuc Secondary School

Current status: 
CANCELLED PROJECT
Country: 
Ireland
Building Owner: 
Vocational Educational Committee (VEC)
Consulting EuroPHit Partner: 

MosArt - Contact person Mariana Moreira 

Existing treated floor area (usable floor space): 
579.57 m²
Key words: 
school
step by step refurbishment
extension
Original situation: 

This school is a candidate for the EnerPHit Standard. The site is currently made up of three permanent buildings ranging in age from 100 years, to 60 years to 50 years. The buildings are unconnected, so rendering the thermal envelope inefficient through an extremely poor compactness ratio (huge surface area – bearing in mind these three blocks being exposed to the elements of the Atlantic Ocean). The existing building complex comprises three detached single-storey buildings formed around a central play yard. The largest, Main Building to the west, was constructed of solid block in 1945, an extension to the north and contiguous Metalwork Block was constructed of block cavity in 1960 and Classroom/Office to the east was also constructed of block cavity but in 1990. The floors are of poured concrete and roofs of pitched timber trusses. Ventilation is natural, using opening window sections. An oil-fired central heating system with radiators provides heating.

Modernisation proposal: 

The proposed development, in essence, comprises a step-by-step expansion, retrofit and enclosure of open space that includes by default the elimination of many existing external walls by their becoming internal. The initial works comprise an extension of four classrooms followed by circulation lobbies connecting the classrooms to the existing structures which will already reduce the extent of external walls and, so, space heating demand. Other works include a part new roof to the Main Building and a complete new roof to Metalwork Block. Between 2015-2016 all three buildings will be retrofitted in respect of walls (external insulation), windows and roofs. It is expected that by or before 2018 the Central Space, currently the play yard will be roofed over and have an insulated floor installed. Airtightness will be achieved primarily during the process of fitting of new doors and replacement of windows with those of higher performance. A mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system will be installed throughout the school. The existing heating system will be retained for back-up, continuing to use radiators for space heating and DHW.

Efficiency improvement: 
PHPP verification sheet before retrofit: 
after retrofit: 
Current situation: 

The site is currently made up of three permanent buildings ranging in age from 100 years, to 60 years to 50 years. The buildings are unconnected, so rendering the thermal envelope inefficient through an extremely poor compactness ratio (huge surface area – bearing in mind these three blocks being exposed to the elements of the Atlantic Ocean). The existing building complex comprises three detached single-storey buildings formed around a central play yard. The largest, Main Building to the west, was constructed of solid block in 1945, an extension to the north and contiguous Metalwork Block was constructed of block cavity in 1960 and Classroom/Office to the east was also constructed of block cavity but in 1990. The floors are of poured concrete and roofs of pitched timber trusses. Ventilation is natural, using opening window sections. An oil-fired central heating system with radiators provides heating. A fourth classroom block is designed and going through the planning process. This will be built to Passive House standards. Along with the construction of this block, it is planned to retrofit the roof of the existing three blocks. The new classroom block to the south is currently at the planning stage in the Galway County Council. The retrofit works for the existing blocks is on hold due to financial issues.

Challenges of the project: 
The proposed development, in essence, comprises a step-by-step expansion, retrofit and enclosure of open space that includes by default the elimination of many existing external walls by their becoming internal. The initial works comprise an extension of four classrooms followed by external circulation lobbies connecting the classrooms to the existing structures. Other works include the retrofitting of the roof of the existing three blocks. Between 2015-2016 all three buildings will be retrofitted in respect of walls (external insulation), windows and roofs. Despite the fact that external insulation will be used on the existing buildings the architect does not seem to be willing to trust the use of external insulation as the outer thermal envelope for new build, rendering construction details to be carefully design to avoid thermal bridge in particular when the new and existing walls meet. It is expected that by or before 2018 the Central Space, currently the play yard will be roofed over and have an insulated floor installed. However the first retrofit step is dependent on financial release from the Department of Education. This fund has not been available so far and there seems to be no clear information indicating the time frame for this grant. At the moment the retrofit progress is temporarily on hold due to current financial limitations.
Other downloadable materials: 
PDF icon PHPP Result Sheet - School, Ros Muc, Ireland
PDF icon Overall Refurbishment Plan - School, Ros Muc, Ireland
Address: 
Gairmscoil na bPiarsach
Ros Muc
Co Galway
Ireland