IKON SUPPLIES LOUVRES FOR PIONEERING NORTHSTOWE LEARNING COMMUNITY
IKON Aluminium Systems (IKON) has supplied Duplus Architectural Systems (Duplus) with aluminium louvred products for Phase 2 of the Northstowe Learning Community expansion project. Northstowe Learning Community is an all-through education campus delivering nursery, primary, secondary, and sixth form learning within one integrated site. Phase 2 expands education capacity in Northstowe, one of the most significant new communities under construction in the UK. Duplus was sub-contracted by construction partner, Kier to supply the aluminium curtain walling, windows and doors. This contract included provision and installation of louvres.
Critical to student wellbeing
“Ventilation, natural daylight, acoustic comfort, and indoor air quality are critical to student wellbeing, concentration, and learning outcomes – especially in education environments,” comments Claire Mills, Principal of Northstowe Learning Community. To realise this, project architect and lead designer, Frank Shaw Associates designed in a wide range of ventilation solutions, including glazed in louvres supplied by IKON.
“We have worked with IKON previously and know them to be reliable; they have never let us down, comments, Ben Roberts, Contracts Department Manager, Duplus Architectural Systems Ltd. “They also make a really good, high quality louvre. We chose IKON for Phase 2 of the Northstowe project based on price and a competitive lead time.”
Louvre solution
For this project IKON recommended its IKL302-PFA50 glazed in louvre which complies with BS EN 13030:2001 and provides ventilation to help regulate indoor temperature and air quality without letting rain or debris in. This louvre features a blade centre of 30mm and blade angle of 59 degrees and offers 58% visual free area and 50% physical free area, and achieves the required airflow rate of 50%. Many of the 101no. supplied were fitted directly into the curtain walling made by Duplus. Visually, the louvres blend seamlessly with the curtain walling maintaining the aesthetic of the modern building design.
Access and ventilation
The remaining louvres were glazed into aluminium doors manufactured by Duplus. These doors open into the Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and plant rooms. Consistent ventilation is essential for the MVHR units and plant equipment to operate effectively, efficiently, and safely. With the glazed in louvres, the doors provide both a physical access point and fulfil a ventilation function — maintaining airflow, preventing overheating, and balancing room pressure.
Award-winning education campus
The campus opened to pupils in March 2025. “As one of the first buildings delivered in phase 2 of the town, Northstowe Learning Community, has played a key role in establishing strong social and educational foundation for the town,” continues, Claire Mills, Principal of Northstowe Learning Community. “It has been recognised for its exceptional, wellbeing-focused design - supporting science, sport, arts, and outdoor learning, which underscores the importance of environmental quality in education settings.” Northstowe Learning Community was recently named Best Education Project at the UK Forum East of England Property Awards. The award was received by Homes England, master developer for phases two and three of Northstowe. Meridian Trust and Cambridgeshire County Council were also key partners in the project. The project was recognised for its low-carbon construction approach. Effective ventilation through the use of aluminium louvres is contributing to reduced operational emissions and long-term sustainability.