Two Yorkshire companies are working in partnership to make a local independent school the first in the UK to benefit from a revolutionary building system that radically reduces energy bills.
Harrogate-based LaRock Construction has teamed up with Leeds and Durham-based Carbon Logix to build a £1 million extension at Cundall Manor School near York.
The building, which will house 11 classrooms, two science laboratories, sports changing rooms and a staff room, is being constructed using a pioneering system from Carbon Logix based on insulated concrete forms (ICFs). These are constructed of lightweight polystyrene blocks which are then filled with concrete to provide a durable highly efficient thermal structure. The blocks prevent heat loss thereby significantly reducing energy usage.
Graham Gill, director of Carbon Logix comments: “This is the first commercial project that we have carried out, having been focused previously on the private residential and social housing markets where government regulations are stipulating that all new properties be carbon neutral by 2016.  We are delighted to be assisting LaRock in the construction process at Cundall Manor where our two respective teams have worked very well together. Our ICF product offers a wealth of benefits, and our contract here marks a move into the commercial build sector where sustainability issues are becoming an important issue, and where we can provide a real solution.”
Damian Lawrance, managing director of LaRock Construction adds: “The green agenda is something that all construction companies are having to think about very carefully, and we are very proud to be delivering such an environmentally responsible project.  It’s also great news for the school that will be benefiting from consistently low heating bills in the years to come.”