REDUCING ENERGY USE

Optimising lighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort and acoustics can not only help to improve students’ learning outcomes, but –depending on the strategy used – can reduce energy use and lower carbon emissions in schools.

For example providing ample windows and energy efficient LED lighting can reduce emissions and create a productive and healthy school environment.

Companies are putting principles of green school design into action. In partnership with Associated Architects and main contractor Speller Metcalfe, Saint-Gobain recently completed the build of a new multi-purpose school hall for The King’s School in Worcester, which included building in all four key areas for optimal school environments; thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustic comfort and indoor-air comfort.

User Comfort

A study, conducted by DLR Group in partnership with 11 schools in Barrington School District near Chicago examined elements of what they call “user comfort”, including acoustic satisfaction, thermal comfort, indoor air quality and visual comfort.

This information, collected through student engagement with data logger equipment, armed the district to make data-driven decisions in appropriate tax dollars to improving their learning environments.

Daylighting

Green schools improvehealth, wellness and academic performance

When deprived of natural light, studies have shown that children’s melatonin cycles are disrupted, likely having an impact on their alertness during school.

One 2013 study analyzing data from over 21,000 students found a significant positive relationship between classrooms with daylighting and better test scores and student performance. Daylight also plays a critical role in the behavioral development of young students. This study also found a strong relationship between cognitive skill improvements and classroom daylight conditions. Skylights and large windows allow daylight into green schools, which improves student wellness and academic performance.

Access to nature

A broad base of research has demonstrated a multitude of benefits in ensuring that young people have access to nature.

The Children and Nature Network has compiled a research library to explore this depth of information on connections to behavior, academic, wellness, community and other positive outcomes.

Green buildings are those that provide green space and views to the outdoors for those inside. Additionally, green schoolyards, nature-based play and meaningful experiences in nature are foundational to a green school.

A measurement commonly used by design professionals to identify the percentage of light that is reflected from a surface, light reflectance value (LRV) supports our understanding of the amount of light that will be reflected from the surface.

Numerous studies attest to the benefits of views and light—particularly full spectrum light—in the educational environment

WHAT IMPACT DO COLORS HAVE ON AN ENVIRONMENT?

• Red: Stimulant; provokes conversation; improves performance/concentration; spurs action.

• Orange: Uplifting; stimulates critical thinking and memorization; increases appetite.

• Yellow: Promotes awareness;helps to release serotonin for happy mood.

• Green: Calming effect; stress reliever; promotes concentration

• Blue: Enhances creativity and alertness; promotes tranquility; improves overall health, memory, and mood; lessens fatigue and depression.

• Violet: Represents wisdom and authority; respectful.

• Pink: Soothing; reduces heart rate; energizing effect (with saturated shades) or comforting effect (with paler shades).

• Black: Promotes sophistication, security, and efficiency; the absence of color.

• White: Conveys sterility, simplicity, clarity, and purity; hygienic.