The expansion of the elementary school was planned in three stages: two dedicated to the classrooms and one to the gymnasium and connected services. The city council decided to give the job to a group of ecological architecture experts called Gruppo A.P.E. The key bio-architectural remodeling design has already been approved and the work has already started (Designer: Arch. Silverio Clerici).

The choice to put the children and personnel's wellbeing as a priority was an important element in the design. Defining cultural aspects could be secondary. In fact, requirements to cultivate future generations with new sensitivity to environmental questions were determining factors. The experimentation of diverse construction methods gave improved comfort and wellbeing along with lower management costs.

The construction site is already open and it is impossible to suspend the necessary work to the new classrooms, so a new, shorter schedule has forced the project to move ahead with new construction methods.

OBJECTIVES

Study the foreseen construction methods. Many of the priorities were quickly defined to qualify the building as a bio-building.

The specifications were modified for many sections with a comparative estimate of the new solutions compared to the original plan. The following is a list of the principle objectives:

a - choose material with careful evaluation their bio-compatibility to protect the internal air,

b -the outside walls, floor slab and roof must breath,

c - improve thermal insulation generally, and above all for the first floor slab against the honeycomb foundation,

d - improve the acoustics,

e - saving energy also lowering management costs and optimizing comfort,

f - improve lighting,

g - help the psychophysical wellbeing with appropriate colors and shapes.

TECHNOLOGICAL AND CONSTRUCTION ASPECTS

Environmental pollution

Geo-biological tests at the site did not reveal any electromagnetic fields, so, from an environmental point of view, the area did not give any particular reasons to worry. It was near power lines or polluting industry, therefore, it was decided to increase ventilation in the honeycomb foundation to improve radon gas and humidity dispersion. All the materials used were certified for indoor use.

The structure

Not being able to radically modify the design, it was not possible to rebuild the armored cement structure with other material in order to eliminate the rebar that inevitably formed a "Faraday cage".

The heat gaps were filled with natural, blond, cork panels, a biocompatible material, considering the environmental damage polyurethane - to be used in the original plan - creates in terms of energy loss and pollution during production and demolition.

The perimeter walls

The original design called for hollow, empty sandwich walls with brick exterior.

The roof

The planned metal structure was replaced with pre-painted sheet metal with the necessary structure in wood and channeled sheet copper. This choice was dictated by the need to leave the existing pitch, guaranteeing the natural, cosmic electromagnetic transparency.

The dividing walls and the floor leveling material were separated from the floor in the classrooms to increase acoustic insulation with the appropriate natural materials.

The false ceilings

In the cafeteria and halls, to cover the heating ducts, modular wood wool panels mineralized with magnesite that, other than being biocompatible, offer good acoustic and thermal insulation.

The cafeteria bowl

The cafeteria has two halls, one in the basement. Some of the students and personnel would have had to eat in an artificially illuminated environment plus the insufficient windows also for ventilation.

To avoid this problem, the ample area around the building was used to dig a sloping hole to leave the windows uncovered improving natural illumination and providing a view of grass, trees and sky and their obvious psychophysical advantages.

Painting

For the internal walls, natural hydraulic lime paints will be applied. Natural paints with vegetable and mineral resins were chosen.

For the flooring, linoleum was chosen because it is prevalently natural, non polluting and removable. Linoleum was chosen for its safety characteristics, resistance, sound absorption, and elasticity.

It is cushioned and easy to walk on, warm to the touch, heat insulating and is fire resistant.

The color study

Regarding common areas, and in particular schools, the application of suitable colors could produce very positive results: improve sociality, work and study enthusiasm and the consequential absenteeism.

The colors have been carefully studied to produce adequate psychological comfort and are adapted to both the younger preschoolers and older elementary school students.

The study of the forms

Tightly connected to the study of colors, the arrangement of forms and surfaces and their harmony directly influences the psychological balance of those who come in daily contact with them along with giving the building the principle component of esthetics.

Sharp angles have been rounded where possible for reasons of safety and, above all, to give esthetic harmony. In fact, fluid shapes are better able to transmit a sense of calm and balance better than rigidly square ones.

The lighting system

Phosphorescent lamps with additional UV rays have been installed making the light very similar to sunlight.

Children need UV light, maybe more than adults: the UV rays transform ergostorol into vitamin D after penetrating the skin. Vitamin D regulates development in general and especially that of the skeleton, improves calcium, phosphorus and carbohydrate metabolism that causes rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Recently, it has been discovered that oral vitamin D3 supplements can not replace the effects of UV rays absorbed by the skin.

The UV rays have an antibacterial effect that reduces colds, the flu, contagious diseases, and, therefore, absenteeism.

The heating system

Special baseboard radiators, placed in their niches purposely indented in the walls, have been installed in the classrooms and halls. They discharge most of the heat into the walls making them the real radiators. This guarantees more warmth and saves energy and money thanks to the lower temperature of the water circulating in the heating system.

The electrical system

Within the building, the electric wires should avoid to form "rings" that would create a dangerous electromagnetic field. Instead, the "star" solution has been used.

The two other stages

The third stage includes the gymnasium, the forth contains additional classrooms and the pertinent services.

These stages have not been contracted yet, but are still a conditioning factor to the new modifications due to cost restrictions. The design choices are similar to the second stage; in fact, the building will be remodeled without touching the overall design. Notwithstanding, additional modifications have been proposed specifically to improve the acoustics in the classrooms, the heat insulation and breathability.

Partial replacement of the armored cement structure with special thermal-bricks has been planned.

The gymnasium

The acoustic gaps will be resolved by separating the walls and the floor leveling material, using suitable natural material. The internal walls will be covered with ecological acoustic insulating panels. The floor will be made with natural linoleum with adequate thickness for students at play.

An insulated and ventilated roof has been designed for the gymnasium using lamellate beams that will support the prefabricated cement beams.

A strip window, placed at an angle to avoid direct sunlight will be inserted in the roof to improve natural light. The widow will be able to be opened electrically to allow rising hot air to escape and cool the building during the hot summer months.

The gymnasium will be heated with a low-temperature radiant system in the walls that will notably reduce energy consumption.

Colors suitable to physical exercise and visibility have also been chosen for the gymnasium and the connecting passages

Energy savings

The favorable exposure of the gymnasium's roof and its modifications will make it possible to add solar panels large enough to produce enough water for twenty showers per day.

The grounds