Scorching School Design: Creating Institutions to Handle High Temperatures in the North
The Antoine de Saint Exupéry school in Gommegnies, located in the North of France, has become a shining example of eco-friendly architecture and design. The school's innovative strategies ensure a comfortable indoor climate for its kindergarten children, even during the hottest summer days.
The school's design and materials have been specifically chosen to provide a comfortable learning environment for the children, regardless of the outside temperature. One key factor in this achievement is the use of sustainable insulation materials like wood wool panels or cellulose insulation, which provide excellent thermal regulation by limiting heat penetration during hot days.
Another important element is the use of materials with high thermal mass, such as rammed earth or compressed wood fiber panels. These materials absorb excess heat during the day and slowly release it during cooler night times, smoothing temperature fluctuations. Additionally, low-VOC and natural finishes have been used, improving indoor air quality and reducing heat absorption compared to synthetic materials.
Passive cooling design strategies have also played a significant role in maintaining a cool environment within the school. The building's orientation minimizes direct sunlight exposure on classroom windows during peak heat hours, reducing solar heat gain. Shading devices, such as overhangs, external shutters, or green façades (climbing plants), block harsh sunlight while allowing diffused natural light, keeping interiors bright but cool.
The layout of the school promotes natural airflow through operable windows positioned to catch prevailing breezes, facilitating convective cooling. Corridors or storage areas act as thermal buffers, reducing heat transfer to learning spaces.
The school may also utilize vegetated green roofs, which provide insulation and reduce roof surface temperature by shading and evapotranspiration. Strategically planted vegetation around the building cools the air and provides additional shading to walls and windows.
While primarily relying on passive strategies, the school may incorporate energy-efficient ventilation systems with heat recovery and evaporative cooling features to maintain comfort without high energy consumption during extreme heat.
The success of the Antoine de Saint Exupéry school in Gommegnies is a testament to the effectiveness of an integrated, eco-friendly approach to architecture and design. This approach significantly reduces reliance on mechanical air conditioning, lowering energy use and environmental impact.
The coolness inside the school is evident, as the children in the kindergarten class do not appear overwhelmed by the heat, even on days when the outside temperature reaches 36 degrees on July 1st. Benoit Guiost, the mayor of Gommegnies, details that pessimistic calculations were taken to ensure the school doesn't exceed 27 degrees.
Valerie Poix, the school director, states that the coolness is maintained due to the building's design and materials. The combination of straw bales and earthen clay allows for effective temperature regulation in the school building.
The eco-responsible approach is not limited to the school's design, but includes future plans for a covered hall and renovation of old buildings in the commune. The woman explains that the school's design and materials contribute to its ability to maintain a cool environment even in hot weather.
The Antoine de Saint Exupéry school's design incorporates environmental-science by using sustainable materials like wood wool panels, rammed earth, and compressed wood fiber panels for thermal regulation and improved indoor air quality. The school's layout also promotes learning by facilitating natural airflow and passive cooling strategies, such as shading devices and operable windows. Furthermore, the school's eco-friendly approach extends beyond its structure, with future plans for a covered hall and renovation of old buildings in the commune, demonstrating a commitment to education-and-self-development and the environment.
