Book Description

This publication reviews evidence from international research that the environmental design of schools has a positive effect on teaching and learning. With large numbers of students in education and major investment in school buildings, the benefits of improving health and productivity in schools through environmental measures are potentially enormous. ’Green’ schools should provide healthier and more productive environments because many of the features of ’green’ buildings are known to contribute to health and well-being. This publication explores the potential benefits of:

• thermal comfort


• access to fresh air, daylight and views out


• acoustic performance


• the size and layout of teaching spaces.

Illustrations: 11 colour photos, 4 line drawings

Pages: 28

Introduction
Regulations and guidance for school buildings
Sustainable schools
- Drivers for sustainable schools
- What is a sustainable school?
Indoor air quality
- Design requirements and solutions for indoor air quality
- BREEAM sustainability criteria
- Relationship between indoor air quality, health and productivity
Lighting
- Design requirements and solutions for lighting
- BREEAM sustainability criteria
- Relationship between lighting, health and productivity
Acoustics
- Design requirements and solutions for acoustics
- BREEAM sustainability criteria
- Relationship between acoustics, health and productivity
Thermal comfort
- Design requirements and solutions for thermal comfort
- BREEAM sustainability criteria
- Relationship between thermal comfort, health and productivity
Space and layout
- Design requirements and solutions for space and layout
- Relationship between space and layout, health and productivity
Conclusions
References