Pinn River School

Synopsis

Pinn River School is a new SEND school in the London Borough of Hillingdon, designed for pupils aged 4–19 with severe or profound learning difficulties, autism and multi sensory impairments. The roofing design needed to meet ambitious targets for renewable energy generation, biodiversity net gain, thermal performance and BREEAM Excellent, all aligned with stringent Department for Education (DfE) sustainability goals.

To achieve these requirements, a combination of Bauder roofing, insulation, biosolar and green roof systems was specified across four main roof blocks and several terrace areas. The project included Bauder bituminous warm roofs with full tapered PIR insulation schemes and integrated PV mounting systems. Blocks A, C, and D utilised the BauderSOLAR F XL flat roof PV mounting system, while Block B incorporated a BauderSOLAR G LIGHT biosolar finish. These systems enabled renewable energy generation and directly supported the DfE’s carbon reduction and energy efficiency objectives. The green and biosolar roof areas also contributed to biodiversity net gain by providing habitat for local wildlife, supporting pollinator corridors and helping to improve air quality. Together with the PV elements, the roofscape acts as a “living laboratory,” offering students the opportunity to learn from visible sustainable technologies.

The client required a BROOF(t4) rated waterproofing system with all roof falls created in the insulation, so Bauder designed a full tapered insulation scheme around drainage outlet positions and sump requirements. BauderPIR FATE Tapered Insulation was used to achieve a thermal performance of 0.12 W/m²K within the design constraints, while BauderROCK 60 mm upstand insulation ensured compliant thermal bridging performance. Roof terrace areas incorporated a BTRS with resin bonded surface into the drainage layer to provide perfectly level, wheelchair friendly access for outdoor learning and play. Over 20 rooflights were integrated into the design, adding significant detailing complexity that was resolved through precise on site coordination.

The project also involved careful logistical planning, with multiple trades, several roof zones, and large quantities of materials requiring timed deliveries and crane lifting. The combination of tapered schemes, biosolar systems, PV layouts and accessibility requirements made coordination critical throughout design and installation. All roof areas and PV elements are backed by long term Bauder guarantees of 30 and 15 years respectively, ensuring robust, future ready performance for this specialist education facility.

In total, the roofscape accommodates 352 PV panels—208 BauderSOLAR G LIGHT and 144 BauderSOLAR F XL—forming a 165 kWp renewable energy array capable of generating enough electricity to power 35–45 homes per year. The tapered insulation design achieves a thermal performance of 0.12 W/m²K, exceeding minimum UK roof standards and delivering a top-tier level of energy efficiency that further strengthens the school’s sustainability credentials.

Bauder building board