The first voluntary aided Hindu school, the Krishna-Avanti Primary School, is an environmentally sustainable development designed to encourage children’s spiritual, moral and academic development. The Harrow based London school, comprising FSC approved timber frames and cladding, a meditation (‘japa’) garden and a Vedic style marble temple has been entered into the Wood Awards 2010 by Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture Ltd. The school’s harmonious surroundings are thought to provide the optimum environment for children’s learning and mental well-being. 

Brian Vermeulen, a Director of Cottrell and Vermeulen Architecture Ltd comments; “The Krishna-Avanti Primary School is not only a state of the art educational environment but also one of the most eco-friendly schools in the country with one of the highest BREEAM scores. Classrooms contain monitors for the Building Management System to record and display air quality and monitors in public areas display energy use, recycling is highly integrated into the school and 70% of space heating is derived from ground source heat pumps. In line with the client’s original brief, we have developed a school that encourages pupils to become conscientious and socially-aware citizens who help sustain our planet.” 

The Krishna-Avanti Primary School has been shortlisted for the Commercial and Public Access category in the Wood Awards 2010. The Awards promote outstanding design and craftsmanship in wood, the world’s only naturally sustainable material. The winner will be announced on 21st October 2010 at Carpenters’ Hall, London.