Anyone who's suffered in a too-warm, poorly-ventilated classroom lately and wondered why – given that it was a new build to a supposedly eco design, should look for some explanation to a comment in a recent edition of Building4Change published by the BRE Trust (and forwarded by Nick Jones of World Heritage Trails). The article closes with this comment:
... there does need to be a reality check here. Although on paper one might well be able to show that the space just about meets the comfort criteria, the reality can be very different once the building is constructed and in use, leading to significant occupier dissatisfaction. As we find ourselves confronted with ‘designing' out overheating problems which common sense indicates is going to be challenging we need to be firmer in our advice for higher thermal mass and suitable solar shading, which should preferably be external. Also, we shouldn't be afraid to point out spaces that are basically not going to work well, rather than do the best we can with the situation we find ourselves in.
We engineers must be at the forefront of debate on how to improve the classroom environment, questioning what does and doesn't work, and being in touch with new technologies that can provide solutions once they have been road-tested. If this issue is not addressed with some vigour there will be a growing portfolio of overheating properties and dissatisfied building users.
So, this year's end of term school report is, thankfully, an improvement on previous years. More focus is being given to what needs to be done to improve comfort in the classroom and I therefore award a B+ for effort.
What was that about learning's being integral to sustainable development ... ? For more detailed commentary see this in the same edition.
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