INTERNAL
Passive Purple – Dampfsperrende, luft- und rauchdichte Farbe (11,4 kg) – Sprüh-/Rollenauftrag
£99.99Delivering Sustainable Growth for Education
Bedford Borough Council appointed Ashe Construction to deliver a significant extension project at Bedford Academy. The 60-week development included 16 new classrooms, changing facilities, a dining area and a community café, supporting the school's planned expansion from 1,350 to 1,800 pupils.
Designed by GSS Architecture, the project focused on creating modern, flexible learning environments while delivering exceptional building performance and energy efficiency.
High-Performance Building Design
The two-storey extension was designed to achieve low U-values, minimise heat loss and support Net Zero Carbon in Operation objectives.
The building incorporates:
- Photovoltaic solar panels
- Air source heat pumps
- Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
- High-performance airtightness measures
- Sustainable building envelope design
To meet these demanding performance targets, Ashe Construction selected Passive Purple® as the primary airtightness membrane throughout the building envelope.
A Complete Airtightness Strategy
Achieving exceptional airtightness required more than a single product. Intelligent Membranes supplied a fully integrated airtightness system designed to work together across every junction, penetration and interface.
The primary liquid-applied airtight vapour control membrane is used across large wall areas to create a seamless airtight barrier.
A fleece-backed airtight tape used around wall-to-roof junctions, window reveals, steel interfaces and challenging transitions to maintain airtight continuity.
A fibre-reinforced detailing membrane used around beam ends, service penetrations, floor-to-wall connections, steel interfaces and OSB board joints.
Applied beneath door thresholds and moisture-prone areas, providing waterproofing, vapour control and airtightness continuity.
Precision Installation and Detailing
The Bedford Academy project required a highly coordinated installation process to ensure every component worked together as a continuous airtight system.
Substrates were carefully prepared before Waterproof Blue Liquid DPM was applied where required. IMAF Tape secured critical junctions, Passive Purple Brush detailed complex areas and penetrations, and Passive Purple created the primary airtight layer across large wall surfaces. Airtight grommets completed the system by sealing service penetrations and eliminating air leakage pathways.
Outstanding Project Results
The completed project achieved an impressive airtightness result of 0.43 Air Changes Per Hour (ACH), significantly exceeding standard building requirements.
Building Better Learning Environments
The Bedford Academy project demonstrates how a carefully coordinated airtightness strategy can deliver measurable performance improvements. Through the integration of Passive Purple, IMAF Tape, Waterproof Blue Liquid DPM, Passive Purple Brush and Airtight Grommets, Ashe Construction successfully delivered a high-performing educational facility designed for long-term sustainability, comfort and energy efficiency.
Contact Intelligent Membranes
Looking to achieve exceptional airtightness performance on your next education, commercial or residential development? Contact us today.
Bedford Academy's major expansion project required a high-performance airtightness solution capable of supporting ambitious energy-efficiency and sustainability goals. Working alongside Ashe Construction, Bedford Borough Council and GSS Architecture, Intelligent Membranes supplied a complete airtightness system featuring Passive Purple, IMAF Tape, Waterproof Blue Liquid DPM, Passive Purple Brush and Airtight Grommets. The project achieved an outstanding airtightness result of 0.43 ACH, helping create a low-energy, durable and future-ready educational facility.