Constructing schools for intense heat conditions - devoid of air conditioning systems
In a bid to create comfortable learning environments in warmer climates, architects are turning to sustainable school designs that employ passive cooling techniques. These methods, which reduce indoor temperatures without relying on energy-intensive air conditioning, are gaining traction as global temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent.
German architect Anna Heringer, known for her innovative use of low-tech materials with high-tech performance, is at the forefront of this movement. Her clay buildings, such as those designed for schools in Bangladesh and Ghana, have required minimal maintenance for up to 20 years. In Gando, Burkina Faso, villagers were initially surprised by the use of clay for school construction, but the resulting Gando Primary School, with its cooling features like cross-ventilation and natural temperature regulation through clay, has proven to be a success.
Francis Kéré, a prize-winning architect who built the Gando Primary School, also receives numerous inquiries about building with clay and passive cooling. His studio's designs, including the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School in India, employ passive cooling techniques such as orientation, shape, lime plaster, lattice walls, and solar power. The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School, for instance, boasts temperatures up to 10°C cooler than outside, providing an ideal learning environment for its students.
Traditional concrete and plate-glass buildings tend to make learning spaces hot and necessitate air conditioners, contributing to global warming. In contrast, passive cooling strategies, such as reflective or light-colored roofing to reduce heat absorption, shaded facades and overhanging roofs to block direct sunlight, and the use of thermal mass materials like clay or sandstone that naturally moderate temperature fluctuations, are more sustainable and energy-efficient.
These methods not only improve resilience in settings with unreliable electricity supply but also lower operational costs and carbon emissions. By reducing dependence on air conditioners, these passive strategies avoid the energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions linked to conventional cooling systems. Incorporating solar power further helps sustainably support any active cooling needs or other energy demands at the schools.
Diana Kellogg, a New York architect, designed the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School to withstand high temperatures and promote social change. Older Victorian-era schools with big windows and high ceilings are better suited to heatwaves than newer schools designed to keep heat in. This shift in design philosophy is crucial, as studies from Brazil to Vietnam have shown that heat significantly impacts learning.
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, the importance of sustainable school designs cannot be overstated. The World Bank warns that climate change is threatening educational attainment, and many cities are taking action. Paris, for example, aims to convert all asphalted schoolyards to green oases by 2050.
In Britain, new school buildings are being future-proofed for a 4°C temperature rise. However, it's not just about building new schools; retrofitting existing ones with passive cooling techniques can also make a significant difference. Scientists are even developing high-tech cool paint that could potentially outperform air conditioners, offering another promising solution for the future.
As interest in building with clay and passive cooling grows, it's clear that these sustainable design approaches will play a crucial role in creating comfortable, energy-efficient learning environments that support student concentration, reduce heat stress, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
- The strategies for water security, such as utilizing reflective or light-colored roofing and solar power, are integrated into sustainable school designs to reduce reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning.
- The energy transition towards renewable energy sources is evident in these innovative school designs that employ passive cooling techniques and incorporate solar power.
- Green buildings, like those made from clay or recycled materials, not only enhance sustainability but also provide better temperature regulation and lower carbon emissions.
- Sustainability in education-and-self-development is encouraged by creating comfortable learning environments, as studies reveal the adverse impact of heat on learning outcomes.
- Science and lifestyle changes are intertwining in the implementation of sustainable design strategies, such as the use of high-tech cool paint in schools, to combat climate change and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
