Pittwater House School is an independent co-educational school featuring a multi-purpose space for music, drama, events and exams called ‘The Great Hall’. Seating up to 800, it needed a quiet, effective climate control solution.
Pittwater House School’s Facilities Manager needed to improve air circulation and thermal comfort in ‘The Great Hall’, which suffered from poor airflow circulation. Built in the 1980s, its ineffective air extraction system caused uncomfortable conditions year-round.
In winter, warm air accumulated at ceiling level, leaving floor level cold despite heating. In summer, heat buildup created discomfort for students, staff, and visitors. Any solution had to be quiet, discreet, and energy-efficient while preserving architectural aesthetics.
Existing options—plant-based systems, split air conditioning and large bladed fans—were unsuitable due to high costs, inefficiency, strobing or visual disruption. As such, the school needed an unobtrusive, cost-effective, low-energy solution for year-round comfort.
Following a consultation with Airius, the school installed a combination of Q Series and Suspended Series fans, controlled by Airius variable speed controllers. This system provided precise air movement, ensuring consistent airflow throughout ‘The Great Hall’ while operating quietly to preserve acoustics.
In winter, destratification fans recirculated warm air down from the ceiling, improving heating efficiency and occupant comfort. By reducing stratification and minimising heat loss at ceiling level, the system optimised the performance of the existing heating system, reducing heating costs and ensuring even temperatures throughout the space.
In summer, the fans enhanced airflow, preventing stagnant hot air buildup and lowering air conditioning demand, leading to reduced energy costs.
Following its success, a second phase of the project introduced Airius Pearl Series fans in classrooms, improving air circulation and enhancing comfort year-round, while reducing HVAC energy consumption and carbon emissions.
"What we liked about the Airius fans was the cost compared to the other systems, how they looked in the space and the decibel levels. And we just love the environmental factor, that we’re just moving air and not creating large amounts of hot or cold air."
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