Reversible constructive system for environmentally sensitive and energy efficient schools in different climate conditions

This research aims to develop a dry assembly, easy to build, flexible and reversible constructive system for the building of energy efficient (temporary) schools located in different climate conditions. With the intent to build schools characterized by good spatial and technological quality, high level of indoor comfort and low energy consumption it was necessary to develop an extremely simple (but at the same time extremely versatile) constructive system, able to easily adapt to different design, environmental and energy strategies. The developed system uses cross laminated timber and other natural materials and consists of small and light modular elements that can be quickly assembled according to different configurations. Spatial-functional, technological-constructive and energy-environmental performance of the developed system have been evaluated, tested and optimized in an intense “try and test” phase in different climate zones: cold (Helsinki, Finland), temperate (Rome, Italy) and hot (Nairobi, Kenya). In particular, the spatial-functional quality was evaluated by the application of the system in several different design configurations of kindergartens optimized with respect to following parameters: type of teaching activity, age and needs of users, spaces functionality and flexibility, paths and relationships between different (indoor and outdoor) spaces and multifunctionality of the common areas. In relation to technological-constructive performance particular emphasis has been given to: rapidity and simplicity of assembly of building elements, expandability and modifiability of the building in response to the changing needs, cost and simplicity of maintenance over time and use of natural and low environmental impact materials. To reduce the annual energy consumption (for heating, cooling and lighting) different active and passive environmental strategies and devices have been developed for the three different chosen climatic zones. The level of hydrothermal, acoustic and visual indoor comfort has been evaluated and quantified with the support of thermodynamic simulations and the annual energy demand was also calculated and optimized trough appropriate software. In conclusion, tests (design application and simulations) conducted in this research have shown that the developed reversible constructive system (applicable in temporary schools) combines good spatial-functional and technological-constructive qualities with a high level of indoor comfort and a low energy consumption. Moreover, the system resulted extremely efficient also in very different climatic conditions, thanks to its easy adaptability to different configurations and strategies.