5 Exceptional Green School Designs

Green school buildings 

Healthy and efficient environments for students and educators

Can public buildings like schools be sustainable and beautiful at the same time? Can schools be designed and built in such a way that they run on clean energy systems like solar power, a biomass boiler to reduce their environmental impact and costs? Could schools have large living green walls and green roofs to improve air quality and insulation? 

If you are interested in the answers to these questions and what characteristics and benefits can a greener school building have check out the post about  > What is a green school and why is it a good idea?

The collection of photos below presents some exceptionally beautiful green architecture and energy conscious design for schools, universities and campuses. These days educational institutions with good indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy efficiency, plenty of natural light are an achievable reality. 

1.Green roof and the SCHOOL OF ART, DESIGN AND MEDIA

 Name: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) School of Art, Design and Media (ADM)
 Location: Singapore
 Architect: CPG CONSULTANTS PTE LTD

Photos, credits: Green Roofs 

Nanyang Technological University received the Green Mark Platinum Award from the Singapore Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for adopting best practices in environmental sustainability in May, 2011. The building features : 

-high performance glass and high-efficient lights with motion and photo-cell sensors
-rainwater collection with rain sensors and irrigation system
-large downward sloping green roofs with automated irrigation system that uses collected rain water

-the building is embracing a courtyard with water pond and plants and the large windows provide a nice visual experience for those learning in the classrooms and working in the offices.

These and similar features make this building a quality learning environment,which besides it's architectural beauty is also saving 1,170 cubic meters of water and 120,000 kWh energy per year.

2.Award winning rural school facing the woods 

Name: Machias Elementary School
Location:Snohomish, Washington
Architect: NAC Architecture

photos,credits: NAC Architecture

Machias Elementary School received 2012 Civic Design Merit Award, 2012 What Makes It Green Award,  2012 Grand Award, Learning By Design and was one of  schools featured in Schools of the 21st Century. 

The building features : 

-A super-insulated building envelope with triple-glazed windows and spray-foam wall insulation
-ground-loop heat ex changers, and a 100Kw photovoltaic array
-No fossil fuels are used to operate a building
-large fully daylight communal learning spaces such as the library, interdisciplinary learning lab, and resource classroom
-touch screen educational tool about the buildings energy performance
-salvaged beems reused from the old school building as elements of design

- large open playfield in front of the school

3.Impressive Rammed Earth School of Plastic Arts

Name: Oaxaca School of Plastic Arts
Location: Mexico
Architect: Taller de Arquitectura

An interesting example of modern, eco-conscious architecture is the Oaxaca School of Plastic Arts in Mexico, designed by Taller de Arquitectura. Throughout the project sustainability has been a central concern and nature is an indispensable part of the constructions. There are cherry trees and other natural elements that break the monotony of stone and earth buildings and provide a welcoming, garden like visual experience.

The principal construction material, rammed earth, is naturally insulating, water proof, fire resistant and offers the adequate acoustic insulation a school needs. The building features large North facing windows to improve the natural lighting of the classrooms , administrative area, media library and reducing heating effect from direct solar exposure. the movement of the sun is carefully considered and shadows are integral part of the cooling, shading of the walls and walkways. 

4.Interior Green Wall in Elementary School's Science Wing

Name: The Bertschi School
Location: Seattle, Washington
Architect: KMD ARCHITECTS

Photo, credits:Benjamin Benschneider

Although this science wing extension is more like a large classroom and it is not an entire school I have included it here because it still features lots of interesting solutions:

-2 types of roofing : recycled metal roofing that collects rainwater and a locally sourced green moss roof that reduces the heat island effect

-large windows, skylights, roof windows, Solatubes provide plenty of daylight and reduce electrical energy needs allowing for a fully daylight classroom

-energy recovery ventilator, natural ventilation, high quality insulating, hydronic radiant floor system all add to the energy efficiency of the building

- as an extra the classroom also features a large interior green wall, composting toilet and an onsite garden 

5. Tree-house Preparatory School

Name: Elleray Preparatory School 

Location: Lake District National Park,UK
Architect: Kita Design Company

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This original and beautifully strange classroom pod structure was designed by Robert Gaukroger for the Elleray Preparatory School in Windermere and received a BREAM “excellent” score. The school is nested between trees and features:

-high efficiency heating and cooling system that utilizes a ground-source heat pump
- Rainwater is collected, solar panels are mounted on top of the pods for electricity
- locally sources wood for the beams and structures
-connecting deck made from recycled plastic milk bottles and wood shavings
-outdoor classroom on the summer decks offering elevated views on the forest and the wonderful natural setting

Photo,credits: Sean Conboy

If you are interested in more green schools and you feel like exploring in more detail the buildings and topics mentioned here you can find more details on these sites:
BPS Healthy & Sustainable Schools
Green Roofs - connecting the planet + Living Architecture
Words Architects
Archdaily 
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