We are a multidisciplinary worker owned co-operative of engineers and architects committed to creating sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings. We use our wide experience to make your plans practical and usable. We specialise in healthy and comfortable buildings with net zero operational energy and strive for low carbon emissions across their lifetime. We are proud to offer a fully-coordinated building design including thermal modelling and Passive House design. Our Passive House consultants and low carbon construction and building services specialists work collaboratively with architects and clients to develop designs for net zero and Passive House buildings. Our designs include renewables, heat supply and distribution, water, electrical, fire detection, data services, lighting, security and access controls for both domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Cross Green
England
LS9 0DG
United Kingdom
This award-winning timber-framed building is a showcase for sustainability; in its design and construction and ongoing educational services for young people. Prefabricated off-site it consists of a core of teaching and office spaces supported by a computer room, kitchen and toilet facilities, with fully-glazed buffer zones on the perimeter providing additional workshop and exhibition space. The building supplies 95% of its own energy needs through alternative strategies.
LEDA worked with the project team to create a design where renewable electricity (PV and a wind turbine) powers a heat-pump that extracts heat from a HV underground electricity mains cable. Solar thermal panels generate hot water and rainwater is used to flush toilets. “IsoGrass” insulation (from grass cuttings) used under the floor and in the roof. Windows have low-e argon-filled double-glazing. The building can be easily recycled at the end of its life. Excellent daylight levels avoid the use of artificial lighting.
Working with the Kings School from an early stage, we reviewed all low carbon and renewables options, and accurately modelled predicted energy use.
Every aspect was designed and specified to the highest standards with Passive House insulation and airtightness levels, with U values 42% better than building regulations. For the building services, a biomass boiler feeds the Keyes Building and two adjacent buildings to reduce gas use.
Being a heavily-used school building, ventilation needed to be flexible and effective – a mix of MVHR and automatically controlled natural ventilation was specified. The system also offers night time cooling to enhance summer comfort.
It’s important to achieve good levels of daylight as it improves concentration levels and wellbeing. We modelled various options of windows and rooflights enabling us to create high quality daylight solutions. Automatic dimming of lighting saves energy and creates evenly lit spaces.