Torquay Primary

It is quite clear from our initial visit that the classrroms are pack tot he brim with the kids work. Storage is a magor issue. What also seemed to be an issue (not so much for the kids as discovered from our interiews with them) the pavement did seem to collect the water and there was little protection from the elements.

3D model

Construction Phase 2...

Some more research of schools

Flash new reception and early learning centre

Abbutting a heritage school building with a portable!

Whilst they had money to up grade the reception area, this unfortunate portable was tucked out the back - however, in their defence, this was as bad as it got and other protable classrooms were in much better condition

The school veggi patch

Construction Phase 1...

There is still hope for us...

A little bit closer to home, this is a god example of how shipping containers are being recycled in richmond. I see this on my way to work and often wonder what they have in there... Yes the yard seems to be populated by steel scraps and bits and pieces of equipment, but I also once saw tomato plants in there... go fig!

The Sustainable Modular classroom by ARC

Ideally, school construction would be modular and flexible, to follow the demographic need; what we usually get is the dreaded mouldy portable classroom. The architectural firm ARC has revisited the portable, with the goal " to design a safe, healthy, durable and environmentally friendly advanced learning structure within a realistic budget. Ultimately, the unit is designed for sustainability, flexibility, comfort and appeal."

This is a great example of how mod 5 classrooms can be intergrated onto the school premises considering both external and internal environmental elements.The use of renewable resources, the reduction of VOCs, CFC-free refrigerant for the HVAC system, and the use of recycled materials throughout mean less impact on the environment. Monitoring and control of fresh air ventilation and CO2 levels, the use of non-cellulose, mold resistant materials, better daylighting, and acoustic controls all help to increase the well-being of occupants and may reduce absenteeism and improve learning.

www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/the_sustainable_5.php

www.triumphmodular.com

www.nrb-inc.com

there must be more new and exciting pre-fab designs for schools out there.there must be more new and exciting pre-fab designs for schools out there.

This was an interesting desing I found that consists of customisable units that is quick to deploy onto any K-12 or higher-ed campus. The design offers plenty of natural light to penetrate the interior, high ceilings with acoustical tile, and configurable window walls.



Jennifer Siegal of Office of Mobile Design also has an unique approach to pre-fabbing our schools with her ECO LAB. This mobile unit, which was fabricated out of donated tracker trailer and from “cast-offs” from Hollywood film sets, travels to schools in the LA area with the intention of teaching kids about the importance of protecting our planet and saving our environment.


http://www.designmobile.com/ecolab.html
http://www.designshare.com/index.php/case-studies

Brain storming for a panalised system

This is a children's art Gallery in Japan the utilises modular construction. With a steel frame windows a placed around the circumference. The interesting part of this structure is the triangular hollow forms seen in the roof. Made from cardboard, this proves to be an environmentally sustainable option.

Another source of inspiration was this holiday cabin designed by Olsen Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects in Washington. The most appealing feature of this building is its ability to adjust the amount of natural sunlight into it. The movable panels allows the building to be adapted for different uses. This is desirable as it the elements of this building could be constructed off site and then transported on site and bolted together. Things that we considered as a as a group was the buildings sustainability.

Whilst this wasn't primarily designed as a sustainable structure, its openable panel system was an interesting concept, particularly as it is mechanically controlled by the occupant. Materiality wise, various systems could e applied. What interested us was recycled timbers, or plantation pine and also the use of synthetic all in one high insulation wall called kingspan

This was the result of some of our investigating, trying to incorporate an operable panalised system that could be adapted to a functional educational environment.