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NAME AND SURNAME: NATALIE MDONGA

STUDENT NUMBER: 209028025

COURSE: MAJOR INTERGRATED PROJECT (STW AND CTD)

TITLE OF PROJECT: SUCCESSFUL GREEN SCHOOLS

HAND OUT DATE: 12 AUGUST 2011

DUE DATE: 10 OCTOBER 2011

LECTURERS: JOLANDA DE VILLIERS AND HERMIE VOULGERELIS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This is but a brief acknowledgement of the people/bodies that have assisted me with gaining information and direction for this project at hand.I would like to thank as previously, the librarians at the Central Library in Cape Town. The books which they provided were of good starting point. Thank you.My appreciation extends out to my lecturers at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology at the department of Architectural Technology: Hermie and Jolanda. Thank you for the links and notes posted on our group page. Thank you.

Natalie MdongaCape Town, October 2011.

SUMMARY:

This academic paper attempts to identify, show, explain analysis and learn the proceedings of stages of successful green school. It pays much attention to the background of the project, the description of the building, the reasons of the school been described as a sustainable/green school, how the sustainability of each school is achieved and the appropriateness of the processes/methods for schools in South Africa.The paper is based on student observation by means of academic researching on various international schools. It is a basic observation of the design process to final structure.

CONTENT PAGE:CONTENTS: PAGE NUMBER:Acknowledgements 2Summary 3Content Page 4-51. Declaration 62. Terms of Reference 73. Methodology/ Procedures 84. Introduction 95. The Green School-Bali 10 - 11 - Background of the project - Description of the building - Why the school is described as sustainable and/or green - How the sustainability was achieved - Whether this process or method could be appropriate for the schools in S.A 6. West Borough Primary School- Clubhouse 12-13 - Background of the project - Description of the building - Why the school is described as sustainable and/or green - How the sustainability was achieved - Whether this process or method could be appropriate for the schools in S.A

7. Berkwood Hedge school 14-15 - Background of the project - Description of the building - Why the school is described as sustainable and/or green - How the sustainability was achieved - Whether this process or method could be appropriate for the schools in S.A 8. Conclusion 169. Reference 17

DECLARATION:

I declare that this academic paper is the original work of the author (Natalie Mdonga). All information directly or obtained from other sources has been fully acknowledged.

SIGNATURE: N.N. Mdonga

DATE: 10 October 2011

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

This is a design-build MIP project at St. Michaels Primary which includes academic research for 2011 for the Construction and Detailing 2 and Studio Work 2 courses in Architectural Technology. The project was headed out on the 12th of August 2011 with the final submission on Monday 10th of October 2011.The task at hand requires identifying three successful green schools and undertaking continuous analysis of each project in an academic manner according to the given sub-headings. These analyses will in the end, by means of recording and writing down, address the design process, methods and aspects of project construction in a green manner until the final product/structure.The report should contain explanatory writing and constructional detailing. The inclusion of images is merely a visual of the final structure of each project. One needs to include personal observations and entice comments.

METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURES:

Information for this project has been partially gathered by means of internet researching of successful green schools on Google and Google Scholar which linked me to various websites.Other means include reading up in sustainable architectural books, reading up on different organizations wed information, as well as organizations which focus on green school initiatives. These links displayed the vastness of this sensible initiative spreading around the world.

INTRODUCTION:

I have observed that there has been a great lack of ecological concern in construction for many years. Yet as architecture is the creation of spaces for living, thus establishing the relation of men with his environment, it should be one of the disciplines in which the ecological spirit reaches its maximum expression, right? Architecture should acknowledge the problems that affect the health of our planet.Here I analysis architects with ecological awareness who have stood aside from the tendency and aim to show the possibilities offered by sustainable architecture in designing and constructing a school.The architects show that ethnics in architecture are essential for the consolidation of this awareness if one wants to avoid creating an uninhabitable world.

THE GREEN SCHOOL-BALI, INDONESIABETWEEN DENPASUR AND UBUDFOUNDED IN 2008

(HEART OF SCHOOL, FROM: ACHITECTURE GALLERY ON: GREEN SCHOOLAT: http://www.greenschool.org)The school was the vision of environmentalists and designers John and Cynthia Hardy who wanted to motivate communities to live sustainably. It is a project to show people how to build with sustainable materials namely bamboo. For this vision the designers established the Green School and partnered with the Meranggi Foundation which develops plantations of bamboo plants through presenting bamboo seedlings to local rice farmers.They also partnered with PT Bambu, a for-profit design and construction company that promotes the use of bamboo as a primary building material, in an effort to avoid the further depletion of rainforests. The school is located on a sustainable campus stalling both sides of the Ayung River in Sibany Kga, Bali. It is perfectly placed within a lush jungle with native plants and trees growing alongside sustainable organic gardens.The structures of the school are almost entirely from bamboo and are described as a giant laboratory o (natural laboratory). Buildings include classrooms, gym, assembly spaces, facility housing, offices, cafes and bathrooms. These buildings are a range of architecturally significant spaces from large multi-storey communal gathering spaces. Local bamboo is used in innovative and experimental ways that demonstrate its architectural possibilities.The 75 buildings are constructed from bamboo, lalang-alang grass (local grass) and traditional mud walls form the structure of the buildings. The school is on an organic permaculture system, designed to work in perfect cohesion with the natural ecology of the land. Even desks, chairs, blackboards are made from bamboo. It is designed and built using a blend of cutting edge technology and traditional materials and methods, inspiring architecture and sustainable furniture.The schools objective is to have the lowest carbon footprint of any school worldwide. Its mission= increase awareness of the environment and address climate change. It is described as a green and sustainable school as it is built mainly of natural and local materials. The school grows its own food in its gardens and generates it own power from the river. Build within a lush jungle with native rivers, plants and trees growing alongside sustainable organic gardens.Green school provides a holistic green community with strong educational mandate that seeks to inspire students to be more curious, more engaged and more passionate about the environment and the planet. The motto of the campus is: work in perfect cohesion with the natural ecology of the land. Children learn about conservation and organic living. Great use of natural light, the school is based on a green curriculum which incorporates an environment that stimulates and is sustainable.The campus was created by master architects, designers, craftsmen, builders and landscape gardeners. Students come from different corners of the world to join a core Balinese community of scholars; they bring them their learning to date to share with their friends and to contribute to a global awareness and perspective of social issues from their countries of origin.Green School is powered by a number of alternative energy sources, bamboo sawdust hot water and cooking system, hydro-powered vortex generator and solar panel, sustainability was achieved by the use of natural material and the location of the campus, which is lush jungle. Buildings cooled and powered with renewable energy, sources such as micro-hydro power, solar power and bio-diesel. Organic garden cultivated by the schools own students to grow their own food. Eating organic food from the garden, compost all waste, purify water pulled from a well, recycle everything, open air classrooms, this is all part of hands on learning for the students.I approve of the processes and methods implemented at the Green School in Bali as of value for South African schools. The concept of using local materials constructed by means of high technology and local techniques broadens many opportunities for any project. The school holds opportunities such as environmental conservation, even local employment and much more. The idea of location is significant as the community plays a great role in educating our children. I understand that hands on learning adds for clearer understanding to children/students. The energy conservation systems are practical for the South Africa and would be of high effect with conserving the environment.

WEST BOROUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL-CLUBHOUSE: WESTCLIFFE, ENGLAND, UK.YEAR: 2001

(AFTER SCHOOL CLUB 1, FROM: AEWORLDMAP.COMAT: http://adesign.wordpress.com/)West Borough primary schools Clubhouse came about due to an urgent need to better understand how schools can be refurnished in a sustainable, affordable and low carbon manner. Three manufacturing companies developed, tested and manufactured cardboard tubes and panels used to construct the building. Design team was led by Cottrell and Vermuelen architects with Buro Happold an industrial engineer who collaborated with Shigeru Ban in the construction of the paper Pavilion. Cottrell and Vermuelen architects have being working with the school for almost 19 years. During this time, they explored new ideas and created projects such as award winning cardboard building, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and created an exemplar of collaborative working. The project is Englands first prototype building to be made from cardboard. It was conceived to meet the challenge of demonstrating that paper is a useful material for the construction of permanent buildings. The project is the result of intensive research into the properties of cardboard as a visible construction material. Given the fact that UK educational buildings generate approximately 15% of the UKs carbon emission attributable to the public sector, schools need to be constructed in a more environmentally aware state.Cardboard is the material of choice in this innovative schools clubhouse. The building aimed to build a facility using 90% recycled materials and for the building to be 90% recyclable at the end of its life. The design allows exposed cardboard as main material of use .Card panels form most of the walls and roofs, using alternative layers of f he timber roof trusses along the center of the building. Transparent plastic is used for weather protection and to allow daylight through the skylight. Fire protection was achieved by treating the paper with asbestos cement and using a type of recycled gypsum. Cladding panels and the tubes used as pillars were from recycled paper collected by the students of the school.West Borough Primary School and its campus are designated as a sustainable school by the Green Schools Initiative. It provides a test bed for ways of refurbishing old school buildings in a sustainable manner and to provide a model for future projects. It is 90% reduction in carbon emissions for the newly refurbished areas of the school. Refurbishment provides a holistic strategy that aims to reduce carbon emissions. This section of the project implements a phase construction program that has learnt from the successes of the first phases. It also implements a community education programme that starts with the children at the school to raise awareness of energy issues within the community.Sustainability of the clubhouse was achieved based on the approach to the project. It was the idea of MEAN: reduce all energy demands. LEAN: supply demands efficiently. GREEN: use of renewable energy.The designers understood the carbon footprint of the existing condition which is used as basis for all strategic interventions to the fabric of the school. The schools behavior was modified based on the finding of the carbon footprint. Green renewable energy implemented to the school, namely biomass heating and photo voltaic. A community education programmer that starts with the children at the school to raise awareness of energy issues within the community to enhance a sustainable project. Sustainability was also achieved by the use of recycled paper and other materials such as wood which was collected by the students.This project implements strategies that I agree with such as the LEAN, MEAN and GREEN ideas. This can be appropriate for South Africa and anywhere in the world. Yet the project focuses greatly on demonstrating that paper is a useful material for the construction of permanent buildings. This method is South Africa is inappropriate due to the climate and weather conditions in S.A. the process of refurbishing older school buildings in a sustainable manner is one which is best above constructing a structure from foundation.

BERKWOOD HEDGE SCHOOL: BERKELEY, CA.YEAR: AN ON GOING PROJECT FOR OVER 30YRS

(A COMPOST CAPTAIN WITH GREENING SPIRITS AND SCHOOL SIGNFROM: GREEN SCHOOLS INITIATIVE/GREEN SCHOOLS PROFILESAT: http://www.greenschools.net)The Berkwood Hedge community made a commitment to set an example of sustainability and environmental awareness through its curriculum, recycling programs and purchasing decisions. This project has been a great learning experience for students and adults throughout the schools community.The project aimed to reduce waste, conserve energy and water, and educate students about sustainable ways of living. Before beginning the project, the Berkwood Hedge School started resourcing to assist them with achieving a green school. Some of the resources the school used was: stopwaste.org, ecology center (Berkeley CA) and story of stuff project.The project of achieving sustainability at the school was by team work. The team included: administrators, parents, teachers and students who all have taken on leadership roles. The school has been recycling paper, cans and bottles for over 30years. The school is proud to have become a Certified Green Business in 2005 and have continued to increase their awareness and efforts since then. Main inspiration and motivation have been the fact that the school is mission-driven, and preserving the environment is an important part of the schools mission.The school has started off with an effort to redesign its small yard and lunch area, to enhance the garden and eating space for the children. Students and families have built benches using cob construction; these benches are incorporated into the lunch area design. Berkwood Hedge had reduced its landfill trash by half. Students participate in a no-waste lunch program. The school was institutionalized no-waste events, where everything is either reusable or compostable.The efforts included: fully belly farm to school partnership, recycling all cardboard, mixed paper, cans, bottles, aluminum and plastic. The school focused on either reusable or compostable plates, cups, tableware and napkins at all school events and planting a native and drought-tolerant landscape.Berkwood Hedge addressed 4 pillars of sustainability and thus making the school a sustainable and green school. These pillars are: striving to be toxic free, using resources sustainably, creating green schoolyards and serving health food and teaching stewardship and student action.7 steps have been taken by the school in order to achieve its sustainability. It was by: 1. establishing a green team2. Adopting a green policy3. Doing school environmental audit4. Developing an action plan5. Integrating the plans into the curriculum6. Close monitoring of the progress7. Involving, informing and celebrating with the community.The process of involving students would be most appropriate for schools in South Africa. Students at Berkwood were involved in worm composting as part of their science program, they were also involved in a lunch audit an instituted no-waste lunches and student stewards of different areas, and were responsible for emptying compost bins, recycling paper and more.

CONCLUSION:

The use of ecological, recycled materials or local materials, self-sufficient energy systems and systems for achieving a good temperature without heating can make a building something more than an artificial volume in the landscape and turn it into a space in which the built and nature respect each other.The projects/schools which I analyzed, through their originality, ingenuity and creativity, have found a method of sustainable design with or without the need for sophisticated cutting-edge technologies.In the Green School- Bali- an interest in nature goes hand in hand with the design, providing beautiful spaces for living in harmony with the environment.In West Borough Primary-Clubhouse-the test of innovative paper construction for permanent structures, I state as achieved and am a clear demonstration that sustainability and green building can be achieved in the simplest of nature.

In some cases they may be understood as a rediscovery of traditional methods that have been partly forgotten once the discovery of modern materials.What I have learnt for any school project, we end to get everyone involved! It is a huge help to live in a community that offers so many resources of green living and future opportunities.

REFERENCES:

Sustainable Architecture: low tech house. 2001. Barcelona: Carles Broto and Josep Ma Minguet.

Blog of Asia: Green School( Bali, Indonesia)-Finalist of Aga Khan Architecture [ online] available at: www.blogofasia.com

[Accessed on: 05-10-11]

Green School/what/where/why: Green School-Bali, Indonesia

Available at: www.greenschool.org[Accessed on: 05-10-11]

Green Schools Initiative: Berkwood Hedge School- Curriculum, Recycling and Purchasing Drive a Transformation.

Available at: http://www.greenschools.net/display[Accessed on: 06-10-11]

Seeds: Environment. Energy. Education Green Schools Projects

Available at: http://www.seedsfoundation.ca/index[Accessed on: 08-10-11]

Westborough Primary School: Cardboard School

Available at: http://www.cardboardschool.co.uk[Accessed on: 07-10-11]