Westborough Primary School cardboard building

The buildings of Westborough Primary School have evolved through a fragmented and piecemeal series of building additions and adaptations since the school was first opened in 1915. One of the most innovative projects has been the construction of a multi-purpose small building using only cardboard components. Now 10 years on the ‘cardboard’ building is performing as expected and the Buro Happold team is currently engaged again on the site in a school refurbishment programme with the aim of achieving zero carbon status.

The initial small building project was the result of intensive research into the properties of cardboard as a viable construction material that was supported by the then Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2001. Additional funding support came from the Cory Environmental Trust in Southend-on-Sea.

The challenge was to use 90% recycled materials, in constructing the cardboard building providing an after school club, a kitchenette, a storeroom and a toilet block and for the building to be 90% recyclable at the end of its life.

A decade in use demonstrates the viability of design and construction using such materials and also demonstrates that sustainable design and construction can be achieved incrementally in line with refurbishment.

• Small bespoke building on school estate uses 90% recycled materials
• Three manufacturing companies developed, tested and manufactured cardboard materials for the construction
• Innovative project leading to a refurb aiming to achieve zero carbon status

Related Disciplines

• Structural engineering
• Building services engineering
• Sustainability