Dartington Primary School is close to the A384; a large, busy road.

The challenging brief for the inspiring timber-framed structure was to enable natural ventilation. A noise map showed that the noise levels at the facades of the classroom block were higher than desirable. Various strategies were developed with Arup, including the creation of a landscaped bund using recycled tyres, a simple, sustainable solution.

Stack-effect natural ventilation was achieved through an external bulkhead and cross-venting located within the roof structure of the building.