Arup and IESVE win Design Innovation trophy at the Digital Construction Awards

The Mynydd Isa Campus was commissioned to serve 1,300 pupils while achieving net-zero carbon in operation, a BREEAM Excellent rating and 25‑year performance resilience to a +2°C future climate change scenario.

Standard compliance modelling could not reliably predict long‑term energy use, unregulated loads or the effectiveness of natural/dual‑mode ventilation needed to avoid mechanical cooling. Uncertainty around occupant behaviour and build quality variations (airtightness, commissioning) also threatened the ambitious carbon and comfort targets.

Arup’s building physics team selected the software platform IESVE for its dynamic, physics‑based simulation capability. IESVE enabled parametric testing of glazing, airtightness, natural/ventilation strategies, heating/cooling loads and integration of a 1,080‑panel rooftop PV system.

The platform modelled unregulated energy uses, future climate files and occupant behaviour sensitivity in a single environment. Conservative build quality scenarios were run, and close collaboration with the contractor refined onsite targets for airtightness and system commissioning. Results guided the dual‑mode ventilation design, heat recovery and electrical control strategy.

The campus opened last year as Flintshire’s first net-zero carbon in operation school and achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. The rooftop PV installation generates more than 500,000kWh annually, exporting surplus energy during summer and reducing annual CO2 emissions by more than 100 tonnes.

The building operates without mechanical cooling, maintains thermal comfort under future climate conditions, and provides Flintshire County Council with lower operating costs, verified performance and a low‑carbon learning environment.

The Digital Construction Awards are organised by Digital Construction Week, the Chartered Institute of Building, DC+ and Construction Management. Read about the rest of the winners.

To find out more about the Awards and enquire about sponsorship or entering next year’s event, visit digitalconstructionawards.co.uk.

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