The context highlights the construction of smart school buildings that cater to the community’s needs. It encompasses the design features of new school buildings, emphasising open and accessible spaces, addressing existing environmental issues, and providing solutions. The focus is on inclusive forum spaces, open classrooms, and multi-functional sports facilities. It also emphasises the use of prefabricated construction for timely completion and the integration of solar energy for sustainability. The overall goal is to create an environment conducive to learning, physical activity, and community engagement.
New School Buildings – How to build smart for the community?
1. New School Buildings
A new elementary school building is set to be constructed on the campus of the 145th "Simeon Radev" Primary School. This new building will feature six classrooms and open learning spaces, all located on one level and equipped with high-quality equipment. Additionally, there will be a common connecting forum space designed for recreation, events, and gatherings of children. One unique aspect of the new classrooms is that they will have direct access to outdoor spaces through glass windows, allowing for outdoor learning activities with appropriate furniture. This design aims to increase the amount of time children spend outdoors and enhance their overall school experience. Furthermore, all classrooms will have visual contact with the central forum, which serves as a hub for meetings and play.
A new elementary school building is set to be constructed on the campus of the 145th "Simeon Radev" Primary School. This new building will feature six classrooms and open learning spaces, all located on one level and equipped with high-quality equipment. Additionally, there will be a common connecting forum space designed for recreation, events, and gatherings of children. One unique aspect of the new classrooms is that they will have direct access to outdoor spaces through glass windows, allowing for outdoor learning activities with appropriate furniture. This design aims to increase the amount of time children spend outdoors and enhance their overall school experience. Furthermore, all classrooms will have visual contact with the central forum, which serves as a hub for meetings and play.
2. Open and Accessible
In modern school buildings, entrance barriers such as steps and ramps are no longer a concern. Innovative drainage systems have allowed us to move away from the traditional "raised" building design with grand staircases at the entrance. Instead, school buildings are now designed to be open and accessible to all. This means that everyone, including children in strollers, elderly grandparents, and pregnant mothers, can enter the school without any additional effort. The school building is viewed as an integral part of the social environment, offering equal opportunities for use and participation for all community members.
In modern school buildings, entrance barriers such as steps and ramps are no longer a concern. Innovative drainage systems have allowed us to move away from the traditional "raised" building design with grand staircases at the entrance. Instead, school buildings are now designed to be open and accessible to all. This means that everyone, including children in strollers, elderly grandparents, and pregnant mothers, can enter the school without any additional effort. The school building is viewed as an integral part of the social environment, offering equal opportunities for use and participation for all community members.
3. Problems of the Existing Environment
The main issue at "Saints Ciryl and Methodius" School in Breznitza is the lack of classrooms, which prevents the school from operating on a single-shift schedule. To address this, the school has converted the canteen into classrooms, some of which are partially underground. However, this solution is not ideal as it results in insufficient daylight and does not meet modern requirements. In addition to this problem, the school also lacks a space for student interaction and an accessible environment for all functional levels of the building. The main entrance is situated above ground level and can only be accessed by stairs. These issues hinder the optimal functioning of the school and should be addressed to provide a better learning environment for the students.
...and Their Solution
The project aims to enhance an existing entrance by adding new functional elements that create modern learn/play/meet spaces. The design solution focuses on adaptability, flexibility, and sustainability to create a stimulating educational environment. The extension includes five new classrooms on two levels, equipped with high-standard facilities and a forum space. This extension not only connects the new and existing building but also provides a transition to the open playing fields and a new "sheltered" courtyard. Additionally, a new elevator is installed in the existing building to provide access to all levels in both the existing and newly designed areas.
The main issue at "Saints Ciryl and Methodius" School in Breznitza is the lack of classrooms, which prevents the school from operating on a single-shift schedule. To address this, the school has converted the canteen into classrooms, some of which are partially underground. However, this solution is not ideal as it results in insufficient daylight and does not meet modern requirements. In addition to this problem, the school also lacks a space for student interaction and an accessible environment for all functional levels of the building. The main entrance is situated above ground level and can only be accessed by stairs. These issues hinder the optimal functioning of the school and should be addressed to provide a better learning environment for the students.
...and Their Solution
The project aims to enhance an existing entrance by adding new functional elements that create modern learn/play/meet spaces. The design solution focuses on adaptability, flexibility, and sustainability to create a stimulating educational environment. The extension includes five new classrooms on two levels, equipped with high-standard facilities and a forum space. This extension not only connects the new and existing building but also provides a transition to the open playing fields and a new "sheltered" courtyard. Additionally, a new elevator is installed in the existing building to provide access to all levels in both the existing and newly designed areas.
4. Meet & Play Forum Space
The forum space in the school serves as a meeting place for all students, both in the new and old parts of the school. It is designed to be a space for relaxation and socialising, connecting various areas of the school such as classrooms, outdoor spaces, and the entrance area. The forum is also used for intermissions and fun events. In addition to its social function, the forum is closely connected to the theatre space and interactive wall of the school. This connection allows for unlimited communication opportunities, not only with remote educational resources but also with training and entertainment information streams. As a result, the forum becomes a dynamic environment that combines fun and learning. Overall, the forum space is a central hub within the school that brings students together and provides them with both social and educational opportunities.
The forum space in the school serves as a meeting place for all students, both in the new and old parts of the school. It is designed to be a space for relaxation and socialising, connecting various areas of the school such as classrooms, outdoor spaces, and the entrance area. The forum is also used for intermissions and fun events. In addition to its social function, the forum is closely connected to the theatre space and interactive wall of the school. This connection allows for unlimited communication opportunities, not only with remote educational resources but also with training and entertainment information streams. As a result, the forum becomes a dynamic environment that combines fun and learning. Overall, the forum space is a central hub within the school that brings students together and provides them with both social and educational opportunities.
5. Classrooms "Open" Towards the Forum
The new era of education is marked by open and accessible classrooms that promote transparency and inclusivity. Gone are the days of isolated classrooms and hidden corridors. The design of these classrooms allows for visibility and encourages students to take an active interest in the learning happening around them. The use of transparent partition walls ensures that everyone is welcome to class. Furthermore, the classrooms are designed with modular furniture and equipment, enabling multiple uses and adaptability over time. This flexibility allows for the rearrangement, unification, and updating of the learning environment to cater to the ever-changing needs of the school. The open plan solution promotes a dynamic and innovative approach to education.
Overall, this shift towards open classrooms reflects a commitment to creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment that fosters collaboration, curiosity, and growth. It signals a departure from traditional education models towards an inclusive and adaptable approach that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey.
The new era of education is marked by open and accessible classrooms that promote transparency and inclusivity. Gone are the days of isolated classrooms and hidden corridors. The design of these classrooms allows for visibility and encourages students to take an active interest in the learning happening around them. The use of transparent partition walls ensures that everyone is welcome to class. Furthermore, the classrooms are designed with modular furniture and equipment, enabling multiple uses and adaptability over time. This flexibility allows for the rearrangement, unification, and updating of the learning environment to cater to the ever-changing needs of the school. The open plan solution promotes a dynamic and innovative approach to education.
Overall, this shift towards open classrooms reflects a commitment to creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment that fosters collaboration, curiosity, and growth. It signals a departure from traditional education models towards an inclusive and adaptable approach that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey.
6. School Sports For All
The outdated sports facilities in schools are in need of immediate updates in order to combat the sedentary lifestyle, lack of play, obesity, and low physical culture among students. Traditional sports salons do not meet the modern requirements of accessibility, usability, and multi-functionality. It is crucial that sports in schools are accessible to all students at all times.
Constructing sports spaces solely for student use puts a financial and administrative burden on schools and fails to maximise the economic efficiency of the investments. Instead, sports facilities in schools should also serve the needs of the surrounding community in order to achieve a maximum return on the public investment resource.
The optimal location for a new sports facility is in the undeveloped southern part of the school's property. It should have convenient access from the street, a parking lot for visitors, and direct contact with the school building.
A multipurpose playground is necessary to accommodate various sports activities. The sports court should be 39m x 22m in size and have separate training grounds for basketball and volleyball. It should also be able to host competitions for basketball, volleyball, and handball, with collapsible stands nearby. Additionally, there should be a storage room for sports equipment connected to the field. Universally accessible spaces are crucial for the new sports facility. This means that entrance and living spaces should be designed to accommodate people with specific requirements. Dressing rooms, toilets, and other elements of the living area should be sized accordingly to allow easy and convenient operation for everyone. The entrances should be positioned in a way that separates the domestic zone from mixed-use areas with the neighbourhood.
Overall, creating an accessible and multi-functional sports facility in schools is essential for promoting physical activity among students and maximising the economic efficiency of investments.
The outdated sports facilities in schools are in need of immediate updates in order to combat the sedentary lifestyle, lack of play, obesity, and low physical culture among students. Traditional sports salons do not meet the modern requirements of accessibility, usability, and multi-functionality. It is crucial that sports in schools are accessible to all students at all times.
Constructing sports spaces solely for student use puts a financial and administrative burden on schools and fails to maximise the economic efficiency of the investments. Instead, sports facilities in schools should also serve the needs of the surrounding community in order to achieve a maximum return on the public investment resource.
The optimal location for a new sports facility is in the undeveloped southern part of the school's property. It should have convenient access from the street, a parking lot for visitors, and direct contact with the school building.
A multipurpose playground is necessary to accommodate various sports activities. The sports court should be 39m x 22m in size and have separate training grounds for basketball and volleyball. It should also be able to host competitions for basketball, volleyball, and handball, with collapsible stands nearby. Additionally, there should be a storage room for sports equipment connected to the field. Universally accessible spaces are crucial for the new sports facility. This means that entrance and living spaces should be designed to accommodate people with specific requirements. Dressing rooms, toilets, and other elements of the living area should be sized accordingly to allow easy and convenient operation for everyone. The entrances should be positioned in a way that separates the domestic zone from mixed-use areas with the neighbourhood.
Overall, creating an accessible and multi-functional sports facility in schools is essential for promoting physical activity among students and maximising the economic efficiency of investments.
7. Sport For the Neighbourhood…
The newly designed sports hall offers multiple use scenarios, with separate locker rooms for boys and girls, a spacious sports field, and two courts for various sports. This allows for simultaneous use by multiple school classes or athletes from the neighbourhood. It also provides a space for local sports schools and dance groups. The hall is equipped with telescopic bleachers, making it suitable for performances and events.
The gymnasium is designed with advanced functionality, making it suitable for local and national championships. It can accommodate youth and school groups as well as adult amateur groups. The collapsible stands can accommodate up to 150 spectators, and there are dedicated facilities such as toilets, coaching rooms, and medical rooms. The evacuation exits are designed to handle maximum visitor loads during competitions.
The sports hall brings several benefits to the students. It promotes physical activity and improves overall health. It provides opportunities for students to develop their sporting skills and talents. Additionally, it serves as a venue for inter-school competitions, tournaments, festivals, and concerts. This attracts talented athletes and coaches to the school.
The community also benefits from the sports hall. It contributes to improved physical health by encouraging active lifestyles. It also enhances mental health by providing an outlet for stress relief and promoting a sense of well-being. Moreover, the sports hall acts as a unifying force within the community.
Overall, the newly designed sports hall offers a versatile space that caters to various user groups and provides numerous benefits for both students and the community.
The newly designed sports hall offers multiple use scenarios, with separate locker rooms for boys and girls, a spacious sports field, and two courts for various sports. This allows for simultaneous use by multiple school classes or athletes from the neighbourhood. It also provides a space for local sports schools and dance groups. The hall is equipped with telescopic bleachers, making it suitable for performances and events.
The gymnasium is designed with advanced functionality, making it suitable for local and national championships. It can accommodate youth and school groups as well as adult amateur groups. The collapsible stands can accommodate up to 150 spectators, and there are dedicated facilities such as toilets, coaching rooms, and medical rooms. The evacuation exits are designed to handle maximum visitor loads during competitions.
The sports hall brings several benefits to the students. It promotes physical activity and improves overall health. It provides opportunities for students to develop their sporting skills and talents. Additionally, it serves as a venue for inter-school competitions, tournaments, festivals, and concerts. This attracts talented athletes and coaches to the school.
The community also benefits from the sports hall. It contributes to improved physical health by encouraging active lifestyles. It also enhances mental health by providing an outlet for stress relief and promoting a sense of well-being. Moreover, the sports hall acts as a unifying force within the community.
Overall, the newly designed sports hall offers a versatile space that caters to various user groups and provides numerous benefits for both students and the community.
...And School+
The planned new gymnasium serves as a foundation for the second-level learning spaces, which are connected to the existing school building. These learning spaces have an open plan design, allowing for multiple usage scenarios. The classrooms are universally accessible and visible from the connecting corridor, promoting student interest and engagement. The corridor is separated from the hall by a transparent glass partition, allowing for a direct visual connection. The classrooms are designed with modular furniture, enabling multi-functionality and adaptability over time. This open plan solution allows for easy rearrangement and updates to the learning environment as needed. Overall, the new gymnasium offers a unique and innovative approach to education, creating a welcoming and flexible space for students to learn and grow.
The planned new gymnasium serves as a foundation for the second-level learning spaces, which are connected to the existing school building. These learning spaces have an open plan design, allowing for multiple usage scenarios. The classrooms are universally accessible and visible from the connecting corridor, promoting student interest and engagement. The corridor is separated from the hall by a transparent glass partition, allowing for a direct visual connection. The classrooms are designed with modular furniture, enabling multi-functionality and adaptability over time. This open plan solution allows for easy rearrangement and updates to the learning environment as needed. Overall, the new gymnasium offers a unique and innovative approach to education, creating a welcoming and flexible space for students to learn and grow.
8. Construction during vacation
One of the main challenges in the construction of school sites is the lengthy process and lack of guarantee for meeting construction deadlines. This not only affects the cost of construction but also hinders the timely use of the building by the school and disrupts the surrounding public space. However, this issue can be addressed by using a prefabricated construction approach. Unlike on-site construction, prefabs are manufactured in a factory setting, resulting in better performance, higher quality, and a longer service life. By properly planning the process, construction sites can be opened when the main elements are ready for assembly, minimising disruptions to the learning process. Additionally, prefabricated construction offers a limited area of disturbance, allowing simultaneous construction and operation of the school. The prefab system also ensures earthquake and fire resistance while reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete construction methods. The use of prefab facade systems, such as translucent glass profiles and elemental facade cladding, further enhance the overall construction quality. Moreover, rooftop photovoltaic plants can be added to meet the building's energy needs. With these advantages, prefabricated construction enables schools to be ready for use months earlier than conventional construction methods, ensuring that students can start using the new facilities in time for summer vacation.
One of the main challenges in the construction of school sites is the lengthy process and lack of guarantee for meeting construction deadlines. This not only affects the cost of construction but also hinders the timely use of the building by the school and disrupts the surrounding public space. However, this issue can be addressed by using a prefabricated construction approach. Unlike on-site construction, prefabs are manufactured in a factory setting, resulting in better performance, higher quality, and a longer service life. By properly planning the process, construction sites can be opened when the main elements are ready for assembly, minimising disruptions to the learning process. Additionally, prefabricated construction offers a limited area of disturbance, allowing simultaneous construction and operation of the school. The prefab system also ensures earthquake and fire resistance while reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete construction methods. The use of prefab facade systems, such as translucent glass profiles and elemental facade cladding, further enhance the overall construction quality. Moreover, rooftop photovoltaic plants can be added to meet the building's energy needs. With these advantages, prefabricated construction enables schools to be ready for use months earlier than conventional construction methods, ensuring that students can start using the new facilities in time for summer vacation.
9. Energy From the Sun & Natural Ventilation, Lighting and Air-conditioning
The text highlights the importance of designing a flat roof plane that allows for easy placement of photovoltaic elements facing the South. This will result in a photovoltaic plant that can meet the operational needs of both new and old buildings during daylight hours. It is also mentioned that in the future, this plant can be combined with an energy storage system to ensure unlimited use of solar energy throughout the day.
Furthermore, solar energy is not only beneficial for generating electricity but also aids in creating thermal convection, which helps with natural ventilation. The text mentions the use of an "open plan" and simplified prefabricated construction solution to create a lobby-forum space that is connected to all areas of the building. This allows for natural ventilation through built-in air flaps in the facade elements and roof plane.
In terms of natural light, a semi-transparent suspended glass profile facade with integrated glazing is used to allow uniform light to penetrate deep into the spaces. This eliminates the need for artificial lighting during most of the day. Additionally, natural light has been proven to "purify" the environment from molds and other disease-causing organisms, making it an essential element for a healthy interior. The text also mentions that the effect of a "winter garden" in the low winter sun helps reduce the need for additional heating during colder months.
By combining natural air conditioning and ventilation with natural lighting, the building achieves a healthy living environment while reducing its carbon footprint. All these benefits are achieved without compromising the thermal characteristics of the facade and roof.
The text highlights the importance of designing a flat roof plane that allows for easy placement of photovoltaic elements facing the South. This will result in a photovoltaic plant that can meet the operational needs of both new and old buildings during daylight hours. It is also mentioned that in the future, this plant can be combined with an energy storage system to ensure unlimited use of solar energy throughout the day.
Furthermore, solar energy is not only beneficial for generating electricity but also aids in creating thermal convection, which helps with natural ventilation. The text mentions the use of an "open plan" and simplified prefabricated construction solution to create a lobby-forum space that is connected to all areas of the building. This allows for natural ventilation through built-in air flaps in the facade elements and roof plane.
In terms of natural light, a semi-transparent suspended glass profile facade with integrated glazing is used to allow uniform light to penetrate deep into the spaces. This eliminates the need for artificial lighting during most of the day. Additionally, natural light has been proven to "purify" the environment from molds and other disease-causing organisms, making it an essential element for a healthy interior. The text also mentions that the effect of a "winter garden" in the low winter sun helps reduce the need for additional heating during colder months.
By combining natural air conditioning and ventilation with natural lighting, the building achieves a healthy living environment while reducing its carbon footprint. All these benefits are achieved without compromising the thermal characteristics of the facade and roof.