Hive Group are working with a Folkstone Academy and Architects Studio Anyo on construction of a new bespoke horticultural classroom to be fully constructed using MMC.

Part funded by a Sir Roger De Haan charity, the initiative will see a new all-weather classroom constructed at Folkstone Academy for Key Stage 2 pupils, who will use the facility to partake in weekly horticultural and environmental science lessons as part of their regular studies.

The building, specially created to support the education of horticulture in an eco-friendly low impact design, will be constructed from timber and prefabricated off site in panelised sections to minimise disruption at the academy and increase the speed of the final build.

Designed to industrial agricultural warehouse standards with the capacity for classroom growing stations to provide hands-on experience for pupils, the building supports the three strands of the Academy’s Green Plan: carbon reduction, re-wilding, and climate education.

Served with a high efficiency air source heat pump (ASHP) and natural ventilation, also featuring photovoltaic roof installations to enable the classroom to be self-powered off-grid as well as demonstrate climate reduction strategies, the project will be a critical element in Folkstone Academy becoming a flagship eco-school and leading on local education initiatives.

All of the initiatives and solutions above have ensured that this classroom operates fully at net zero carbon.