The need for new schoolsIn the Netherlands, no schools may be built close to highways, due to the health risk caused by high levels of air pollution. In the city of shanghai the same problem occurs, Cars, building sites and fac-tories produce smog, and because of that the life expectancy drop dramatically in big cities.Also, to cut on costs, a minimum of installations is used in schools. This causes the oxygen-levels in the classrooms to be very low.The Happy Healthy School brings a solution for these problems. A greenhouse on top of the school acts like a lung and cleans the air so the children in-side can breath normally.

Green education

In the big city real nature is hard to find, but this school gives the pupils the opportunity to learn all about it. The biology classroom is located at the same floor as the greenhouse, so pupils can have practical lessons. The children learn to take care of plants and grow their own lunchfood.

Green, greener, greenestFor the green concept, a greenhouse on the roof is not enough, the plants should be present trough the whole building. Therefore the atrium inside the building will be planted to be a courtyard garden. The pupils can go there during breaks, special classes and ceremonies. The outside façade of the building will be completely covered with ivy.

The green throughout the school will not only make the children feel surrounded by nature, but is also functional. Every extra plant in the building is useful for cleaning the air, and makes the conditions in the classrooms better.

Fresh air circulation

CO2 rich air from the classrooms is naturally ventilated towards the greenhouse. Here the CO2 is converted back to oxygen by the plants. From the greenhouse, the air flows into the atrium, which fills with oxygen-rich air. The atrium provides the classrooms with fresh air again.

To make sure the air quality stays at best, a second system is added for adding air from outside. The air passes another zone in the greenhouse that has special vegetation to filter the fine dust and NOx out of the air. The outside air is added to the system by automatic measurement. Graduation project at:

HA

PPY

HEA

LTH

Y SC

HO

OL

In collaboration with:

Paul de Ruiter Architects Amsterdam/Beijing

www.paulderuiter.nl

DHV Consultancy & Engineering Worldwide/Shanghai

www.dhv.com

University of Applied Sciences UtrechtUtrecht, the Netherlands

www.HU.nl

poster4.indd 1 12-05-10 01:08