Retrofit works to a primary school in Lewisham

Completed retrofit works at Dalmain Primary School in Lewisham, including insulating cavity walls, improving air quality, bettering airtightness, and installing an ASHP and solar panels.

Air Source Heat Pump, in a green metal cage, in front of a wooden fence. 5 children stand in front of the air source heat pump, showcasing it. They are all wearing Burgundy jumpers. There is black picket fence in the foreground.

As part of the wider Lewisham Zero Carbon Schools programme, RAFT completed retrofit works at 3 schools, including Dalmain Primary School in Lewisham. Engagement with the staff, students and premises team was essential throughout the process and we continue to benefit from these relationships.

Isometric diagram of retrofit measures at Dalmain school. The drawing uses a computer line drawing as a base, with retrofit measures such as solar panels, cavity wall insulation, rainwater storage, air source heat pumps, ventilation, and glazing

One of the most exciting retrofit measures was the installation of the large triple glazed windows in the atrium of the 1980’s block. The windows help to ensure that the block stays warm in winter, providing beautiful daylight into the atrium area, as well as opening in summer to provide natural ventilation to keep the block cool.

Students wearing burgundy jumpers stand in an atrium below large triple glazed windows in a sloped ceiling. The walls are painted white and there is a old wooden table in the foreground.

RAFT also worked with the school to install rainwater planters at the around the buildings, which collect water from the roof, reducing the rainwater runoff to drains and therefore reducing the flash flooding risk - this is all part of retrofitting for climate resilience.

Children's hands can be seen in a large raised soil bed, which holds excess water runoff from the school rooves. New plants can be seen within the soil.
Headteacher Testimonial from Dalmain Headteacher, Erika Eisele. It reads, It has been an absolute privilege to work with RAFT on this ambitious retrofit project ... during every step of the process the children have been involved in research projects
External image of a school from a street view. The school has a beige brick wall in front of it, with bright yellow metal gates in the centre of the image. The two storey school can be seen behind with tiled pitched rooves

Through consistent post-occupancy evaluation, we have been able to track the measured changes across operational carbon, air quality, and rainwater flowing to drains.

Previous

Retrofit Engagement with London Residents & Community Leaders
Next

School Premises Manager Workshops