Historic Welsh School Transforms Into a Net-Zero Educational Hub
Haberdashers' Monmouth School in Wales has undergone a major transformation to improve its buildings and reduce environmental impact. Architecture firm Levitt Bernstein led the project, upgrading six structures across three town sites while blending heritage conservation with modern sustainability.
The retrofit programme focused on deep refurbishment, new construction, and an energy conservation strategy. A 1960s sixth form centre received upgrades to insulation, airtightness, and energy systems, giving it a fresh civic presence. Meanwhile, heritage buildings were carefully adapted to preserve their character while improving performance.
A former squash court now serves as a net-zero dance studio, with its energy needs fully offset by on-site renewable energy generation. The dining hall expansion kept 80% of the original structure but added better insulation, ventilation, and air source heat pumps to replace gas boilers. Blue and green roofs were also installed to boost biodiversity and manage rainwater sustainably.
The Eddie Butler Fitness Centre repurposed an old prep school building into a modern training facility, complete with strength studios and rowing spaces. Photovoltaic panels and heat pumps were fitted across the site, cutting energy dependence and paving the way for net-zero operations. Since completion in 2023, monitored data shows energy efficiency has risen by 40–50%, with CO₂ emissions dropping by over 60%.
The upgrades allow the school to transition to full co-education while meeting ambitious environmental targets. Retrofitted buildings now offer contemporary learning spaces with significantly lower energy use and emissions. The project serves as a model for balancing heritage, education, and environmental responsibility.
