Name: Cool School Competition
Client: Architecture Competition for Building Trust International
Client: Architecture Competition for Building Trust International
Project Team:
Ullrich Bramm, UBPLAN
Federico Gori, TERRANE CONSULT
Ricardo Marten, TERRANE CONSULT
Marcel Noeding, TERRANE CONSULT
Federico Gori, TERRANE CONSULT
Ricardo Marten, TERRANE CONSULT
Marcel Noeding, TERRANE CONSULT
Fabio Marzan, RNDR Studio
Dario Marzan, RNDR Studio
Adriano Riosa, RNDR Studio
Dario Marzan, RNDR Studio
Adriano Riosa, RNDR Studio
Type: Exterior Rendering 3D model, texturing & rendering
Dimension: 4900×2600 300dpi
Software: 3DMax+Vray+PS
Year: 2015
Dimension: 4900×2600 300dpi
Software: 3DMax+Vray+PS
Year: 2015
site:
www.terrane-consult.com
www.rndrstudio.it
Link:
"SUPER STRUCTURE"
TASK
The aim of the present design is to assist the Governor of Khovd in providing a new building for an existing school in Eastern Mongolia. The existing school facilities, offering primary education to 550 children, is already overcrowded, forcing children to study outdoors during the warm seasons. In winter season, children go to another school for physical education due to a lack of adequate space. The existing building is very old and dilapidated and has no indoor toilets, forcing children to use outdoor facilities even in the coldest months.
The proposal for the new school building will act as a safe, comfortable, learning environment withstanding extreme temperatures of down to -45°C.
It will consider lighting, ventilation, environmental conditions, materials, space, comfort, accessibility, adaptability and aesthetics – potentially shaping the future of school buildings across cold regions globally.
The aim of the present design is to assist the Governor of Khovd in providing a new building for an existing school in Eastern Mongolia. The existing school facilities, offering primary education to 550 children, is already overcrowded, forcing children to study outdoors during the warm seasons. In winter season, children go to another school for physical education due to a lack of adequate space. The existing building is very old and dilapidated and has no indoor toilets, forcing children to use outdoor facilities even in the coldest months.
The proposal for the new school building will act as a safe, comfortable, learning environment withstanding extreme temperatures of down to -45°C.
It will consider lighting, ventilation, environmental conditions, materials, space, comfort, accessibility, adaptability and aesthetics – potentially shaping the future of school buildings across cold regions globally.
CONTEXT
The premises of Tsast Altai primary school, established in 1950, are located in Jargalant Soum in Khovd in the west of Mongolia. The new building will be situated within the grounds of the existing school. 48°0’10.95”N/91°38’21.56”E
Khovd is the capital of the Khovd Province of Mongolia. Officially known as Jargalant soum. It is situated at the foot of the Mongol Altai Mountains, on the Buyant River. With a population of 89,900, Khovd province is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Khalkh, Zakhchin, Torgoud, Kazakh, Ould, Mingad, Durvod and Uriankhay.
Khovd has a cold desert climate with long, dry, frigid winters and short warm summers. The annual average temperature of -0.5 °C, but the average temperatures throughout the year vary up to 40°C: July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 17.3°C, January the coldest month of the year, with an average of -21.5°C.
Precipitation, with a yearly average of 121mm, is minimal and very heavily concentrated in summer: The average rainfall in February tends to be zero, whereas the average in July reaches 39mm.
The premises of Tsast Altai primary school, established in 1950, are located in Jargalant Soum in Khovd in the west of Mongolia. The new building will be situated within the grounds of the existing school. 48°0’10.95”N/91°38’21.56”E
Khovd is the capital of the Khovd Province of Mongolia. Officially known as Jargalant soum. It is situated at the foot of the Mongol Altai Mountains, on the Buyant River. With a population of 89,900, Khovd province is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Khalkh, Zakhchin, Torgoud, Kazakh, Ould, Mingad, Durvod and Uriankhay.
Khovd has a cold desert climate with long, dry, frigid winters and short warm summers. The annual average temperature of -0.5 °C, but the average temperatures throughout the year vary up to 40°C: July is the warmest month with an average temperature of 17.3°C, January the coldest month of the year, with an average of -21.5°C.
Precipitation, with a yearly average of 121mm, is minimal and very heavily concentrated in summer: The average rainfall in February tends to be zero, whereas the average in July reaches 39mm.
APROACH
When designing for an extreme temperature, intelligent coping strategies have to be found. One of the most intelligent systems can be found in nature itself, in the evolutionary responses developed by plants and animals to cope with weather and be efficient with it. For example, few people know that the skin of a polar bear is actually BLACK. The fur, which appears to be white, is actually made up of almost colourless, almost transparent hairs. The long, coarse guard hairs are hollow, allowing the warming rays of the sun to reach to the dark skin that acts as a solar heat collector. In addition, a thick layer of fat under the polar bear’s skin provides insulation from the weather. Even in the coldest Arctic weather, the polar bear is very comfortable. Following the polar bear and the principles of “bionical creativity engineering”, our aim was to design a school building that functions similar to a polar bear relaxing under the sun.
When designing for an extreme temperature, intelligent coping strategies have to be found. One of the most intelligent systems can be found in nature itself, in the evolutionary responses developed by plants and animals to cope with weather and be efficient with it. For example, few people know that the skin of a polar bear is actually BLACK. The fur, which appears to be white, is actually made up of almost colourless, almost transparent hairs. The long, coarse guard hairs are hollow, allowing the warming rays of the sun to reach to the dark skin that acts as a solar heat collector. In addition, a thick layer of fat under the polar bear’s skin provides insulation from the weather. Even in the coldest Arctic weather, the polar bear is very comfortable. Following the polar bear and the principles of “bionical creativity engineering”, our aim was to design a school building that functions similar to a polar bear relaxing under the sun.
THE SUPERSTRUCTURE
The school committee had already suggested two potential sites on the school compound for the construction of the new building. The further analysis showed that Site A offered only little orientation towards the sun and side B was too detached to the existing building. To suit our vision, the perfect location had to fulfil more criteria. Success came by lifting up the new building and putting it ON TOP of the existing one. By doing so we were able to achieve advantages in the following categories:
(a) Energy gains: The main intervention will be the transformation of the southern façade into an intelligent “solar capsule”. In order to reach a maximum of sun exposure – even to the low-standing sun in winter - a new row of classrooms will be constructed on a new 2nd floor of the existing building. Facing south and free of shading, the entire façade will subsequently be doubled by an inclined and widely open glass façade. The space between will be heated by green house effect, generating considerable passive solar gains. From here the warm air will be distributed to the classrooms behind through circulation inlets and outlets.
(b) Energy savings: In general, one of the most efficient measures to save energy is the proper insulation of the building’s thermal envelope. By placing the new project directly on top of the existing one, warm walls will be shared and surface of heat transmission reduced. Compared to a new stand-alone structure separate form the school building, the energy consumption shrinks and reduces the school’s budget for fuel. Potentially to finance further thermal retrofitting measures of the rest of the building easily implemented, be it by improving the roof and/or by adding a core-insulation to the exterior walls on the north and east/west sides. This additional layer – like the fat layer of the polar bear - will lead to further cost savings and comfort gains.
(c) Recycling and Upgrading: Instead of a separate new building, the structure of the old building will serve as base for improvement. While creating new functional space, the surfaces of the existing building will be upgraded, allowing us to save material, time and thus reducing energy consumption already during the construction phase.
(d) Cost and time advantage: By not constructing a new building on the school’s premises, but placing the new structure on top of the massive and stable walls of the existing school building, considerable material and labour cost can be saved and rather invested in a new heat source, a greenhouse and wind protection – the main multi-functional glass façade.
(e) Preservation of space: Building on top of the existing school allows an extension of the school without requiring additional space on the site. All existing auxiliary buildings like storages can further be used – as well as the open spaces like the courtyard for outdoor activities in the summer.
(f) Replicable Solution: In that sense, the idea of a SUPERSTRUCTURE offers a general solution to upgrade already existing schools – without requiring additional space. Additionally, it offers a replicable solution for completely new school constructions in general.
The school committee had already suggested two potential sites on the school compound for the construction of the new building. The further analysis showed that Site A offered only little orientation towards the sun and side B was too detached to the existing building. To suit our vision, the perfect location had to fulfil more criteria. Success came by lifting up the new building and putting it ON TOP of the existing one. By doing so we were able to achieve advantages in the following categories:
(a) Energy gains: The main intervention will be the transformation of the southern façade into an intelligent “solar capsule”. In order to reach a maximum of sun exposure – even to the low-standing sun in winter - a new row of classrooms will be constructed on a new 2nd floor of the existing building. Facing south and free of shading, the entire façade will subsequently be doubled by an inclined and widely open glass façade. The space between will be heated by green house effect, generating considerable passive solar gains. From here the warm air will be distributed to the classrooms behind through circulation inlets and outlets.
(b) Energy savings: In general, one of the most efficient measures to save energy is the proper insulation of the building’s thermal envelope. By placing the new project directly on top of the existing one, warm walls will be shared and surface of heat transmission reduced. Compared to a new stand-alone structure separate form the school building, the energy consumption shrinks and reduces the school’s budget for fuel. Potentially to finance further thermal retrofitting measures of the rest of the building easily implemented, be it by improving the roof and/or by adding a core-insulation to the exterior walls on the north and east/west sides. This additional layer – like the fat layer of the polar bear - will lead to further cost savings and comfort gains.
(c) Recycling and Upgrading: Instead of a separate new building, the structure of the old building will serve as base for improvement. While creating new functional space, the surfaces of the existing building will be upgraded, allowing us to save material, time and thus reducing energy consumption already during the construction phase.
(d) Cost and time advantage: By not constructing a new building on the school’s premises, but placing the new structure on top of the massive and stable walls of the existing school building, considerable material and labour cost can be saved and rather invested in a new heat source, a greenhouse and wind protection – the main multi-functional glass façade.
(e) Preservation of space: Building on top of the existing school allows an extension of the school without requiring additional space on the site. All existing auxiliary buildings like storages can further be used – as well as the open spaces like the courtyard for outdoor activities in the summer.
(f) Replicable Solution: In that sense, the idea of a SUPERSTRUCTURE offers a general solution to upgrade already existing schools – without requiring additional space. Additionally, it offers a replicable solution for completely new school constructions in general.
INTERNAL ORGANISATION
In order to achieve an inclusive floor plan, it was necessary to reorganize the floor plan of the existing building. To make it accessible for people with special needs, all common and semi-public areas had to be placed on the ground floor. This includes already existing functions like the library, principal and doctor’s office, as well as the newly requested room for physical education, which - instead of being incorporated in the new structure – will take the place of the former library. As physical activities will dominate in this room, it is well positioned on the northern side. Nevertheless, provided with an independent entrance, it can also serve as stage for extra-curricular events or meetings. The library will be former classrooms 7 and 8 on the “warmer” southern side. In this way it will profit from better illumination and thermal comfort.
In order to achieve an inclusive floor plan, it was necessary to reorganize the floor plan of the existing building. To make it accessible for people with special needs, all common and semi-public areas had to be placed on the ground floor. This includes already existing functions like the library, principal and doctor’s office, as well as the newly requested room for physical education, which - instead of being incorporated in the new structure – will take the place of the former library. As physical activities will dominate in this room, it is well positioned on the northern side. Nevertheless, provided with an independent entrance, it can also serve as stage for extra-curricular events or meetings. The library will be former classrooms 7 and 8 on the “warmer” southern side. In this way it will profit from better illumination and thermal comfort.
MATERIALS
The proposed construction method for the 2nd floor is a hybrid earthquake-safe structure composed of straw bale and adobe, covered by clay plaster towards the inside and adobe facing the green house. The adobe walls will pass back the heat collected during daytime to the space inside the greenhouse, balancing day/night temperatures and regulating air-humidity.
Straw bale constructions are well known in Mongolia. Between 1997 and 2007 schools, kindergartens and clinics were constructed within the Building Energy Efficiency Project of the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and the UNDP. With straw bales functioning as the thermal envelope – sparing the annual budgets up to 50% through saving fuel for heating – they are excellent examples of a successful green technology.
The proposed construction method for the 2nd floor is a hybrid earthquake-safe structure composed of straw bale and adobe, covered by clay plaster towards the inside and adobe facing the green house. The adobe walls will pass back the heat collected during daytime to the space inside the greenhouse, balancing day/night temperatures and regulating air-humidity.
Straw bale constructions are well known in Mongolia. Between 1997 and 2007 schools, kindergartens and clinics were constructed within the Building Energy Efficiency Project of the Ministry of Construction and Urban Development and the UNDP. With straw bales functioning as the thermal envelope – sparing the annual budgets up to 50% through saving fuel for heating – they are excellent examples of a successful green technology.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
A successful project implementation increases the acceptance to adopt and reproduce a technology while lowering the risk to invest in such significantly. All measures necessary for the Cool School project expansion are based on simplicity and practicability. Beside the architectural design, which focuses on reduction of energy consumption, the structural design is kept as simple as possible and balances the choice of material for both skilled craftsmanship employment and the ease of handling by unskilled labour.
In addition, it is unlikely that Solar Air Heating fails, as it is a safe, easy to implement and maintain - a universally applicable technology. This easy and replicable low-tech provides a solid base for a far-reaching economic approach in a larger part of the society – in other words, both private homes as well as enterprises gain financially in the long-term: the private sector by sustainably generating future income on a new level of cost savings through direct savings of fuel expenditures, and enterprises with investment based on a solid viability with a high success rate and rapid return on investment. This is highly beneficial for the investor’s acquisition of funds such as bank loans as well as the bank’s trust in the outcome of the business.
A successful project implementation increases the acceptance to adopt and reproduce a technology while lowering the risk to invest in such significantly. All measures necessary for the Cool School project expansion are based on simplicity and practicability. Beside the architectural design, which focuses on reduction of energy consumption, the structural design is kept as simple as possible and balances the choice of material for both skilled craftsmanship employment and the ease of handling by unskilled labour.
In addition, it is unlikely that Solar Air Heating fails, as it is a safe, easy to implement and maintain - a universally applicable technology. This easy and replicable low-tech provides a solid base for a far-reaching economic approach in a larger part of the society – in other words, both private homes as well as enterprises gain financially in the long-term: the private sector by sustainably generating future income on a new level of cost savings through direct savings of fuel expenditures, and enterprises with investment based on a solid viability with a high success rate and rapid return on investment. This is highly beneficial for the investor’s acquisition of funds such as bank loans as well as the bank’s trust in the outcome of the business.
The original external surface area of the old building is 1228,5 m2.
Our design improves 565 m2 with a new highly efficient envelope.
Our design improves 565 m2 with a new highly efficient envelope.
