Project 1: RARE Architecture
I began researching many different topics for this assignment. I focused on sustainable design of buildings, modular architecture, architectual spacefor education, portable architecture, Environmental architecture and classrooms. I found alot of interesting sites and a good amount of usefull information.
First I looked at what was required to create a sustainable building:
- Use the sight to the advantage of the building
- use and store renewable energy
- minimise the use of non renewable energy
- use environmentally friendly materials
- protect and conserve energy
- enhance th eindoor environmental quality
- optimise operational and maintanance practices
Design of learning environments:
- The more attractive the building the more it inspires it soccupants
- Location must be easily accesible by students and equipment eg. ramps
- isolated from outdoor noise such as social gatherings
- floor should be sloped for good sight lines
- ceiling angled upward from the sending end
- Instructor should be positioned at the same level or lower than the students
- if using projector must be able to make the room dark with controll at front of class
- door placed at back of room for little distraction
- entry vestibale
- doors with vision pannels
Surfaces and Finishes:
- side walls first 3/4 hard finish last 1/4 acoustically absorbant
- rear wall absorbant material
- Hard and sloped
- upholstered seats and carpet flooring
-use durable materials for desks and carpet/other flooring
-use non toxix and environmentally sustainable materials
http://www.constructionrecorces.com/
I began researching many different topics for this assignment. I focused on sustainable design of buildings, modular architecture, architectual spacefor education, portable architecture, Environmental architecture and classrooms. I found alot of interesting sites and a good amount of usefull information.
First I looked at what was required to create a sustainable building:
- Use the sight to the advantage of the building
- use and store renewable energy
- minimise the use of non renewable energy
- use environmentally friendly materials
- protect and conserve energy
- enhance th eindoor environmental quality
- optimise operational and maintanance practices
Design of learning environments:
- The more attractive the building the more it inspires it soccupants
- Location must be easily accesible by students and equipment eg. ramps
- isolated from outdoor noise such as social gatherings
- floor should be sloped for good sight lines
- ceiling angled upward from the sending end
- Instructor should be positioned at the same level or lower than the students
- if using projector must be able to make the room dark with controll at front of class
- door placed at back of room for little distraction
- entry vestibale
- doors with vision pannels
Surfaces and Finishes:
- side walls first 3/4 hard finish last 1/4 acoustically absorbant
- rear wall absorbant material
- Hard and sloped
- upholstered seats and carpet flooring
-use durable materials for desks and carpet/other flooring
-use non toxix and environmentally sustainable materials
http://www.constructionrecorces.com/
Modular School Issues
Health Concerns: Off-gassing and other environmental issues associated with portable trailers and manufactured facilities is increasingly of critical concern, it affects the health of millions of students and their ability to learn.
Modular construction employs more pressed wood, adhesives, and carpeting than traditional classrooms, emitting larger amounts of harmful toxins into the learning environment.
A 2003 EPA study of portable classrooms in California found formaldehyde levels well above exposure levels set by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for an eight-hour period.
Students complain of headaches, nausea, and increased asthma attacks linked to exposure to formaldehyde. These health concerns are compounded by poor ventilation, lighting, and acoustics, significantly higher energy consumption and loud HVAC systems. All of these impede learning.
Performance Issues:
The Modular Building Institute reports lack of visual appeal.
Perceived inferior building quality.
Amenities stripped for the sake of economy.
Poor site planning.
Poor long term planning. Poor maintenance due to the nature of temporary structures. (In the state of Florida the age of portable classrooms in public schools average 20 years, whilst some are 50 years old.)
