| Green Design Goes Back
to School
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| 7th May 2003 | ||
| A
South Australian school designed using the latest ecologically sustainable
building techniques is offering better classroom conditions and energy
cost savings. The primary school at Craigmore in Adelaide ' s north was commissioned by the Department of Education and Children ' s Services (DECS) to be at the forefront of the next generation of green building design. Architects JackmanParkenEvans were able to incorporate over 25 environmentally-friendly, energy efficient initiatives. The project won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects 2002 Award of Merit in the Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) category. Features of the facilities include the use of rammed earth walls, materials with low embodied energy, natural lighting and ventilation for the buildings, appropriate window shades and automated airconditioning and lighting control systems. To maximise the comfort level, thermal flues are erected on each of the roofs. These flues function as chimneys being heated by the sun - exhausting hot air up through the classrooms and in turn drawing fresh air through low level vents. All of the school ' s facilities - including four classrooms, administration building, art/design building, multipurpose building and a campus resource centre - feature single low pitched roofs made from ZINCALUME® steel. Developed by BHP Steel, ZINCALUME® steel was selected specifically because of its favourable ESD qualities - relatively low embodied energy, reduced energy use and minimum maintenance. " ZINCALUME® steel offered the most effective solution to get the spans we wanted in an ESD way, " explained the school ' s architect Peter Ahladas, Associate Director of JackmanParkenEvans. A recent study by the University of South Australia ' s Sustainable Energy Centre concluded Playford Primary school achieved energy cost savings of about $3,880 over a school year and provided an improvement in comfort levels compared to standard classrooms. Built in two stages, the school cost $5 million to plan, design and construct. It is capable of holding up to 480 students and is designed to grow in tandem with the City of Playford. For more information contact: Peter Ahladas Jackman Parken Evans Tel: 08 8373 3660 Fax: 08 8373 5342 Address: The Abbey Hall, 86 King William Road, Goodwood, SA 5034 |
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