Sustainable Thermomass Building Insulation for Schools

Building Sustainable Schools of the Future

There are currently major changes at hand which will affect the future design of school facilities throughout Australia. THERMOMASS Building Insulation System is integral to that change, offering a cost effective, environmentally sustainable, durable and energy efficient building.

Sustainability of our school buildings is measured by three factors; buildings need to be economically viable; socially equitable; and environmentally sound. These three factors inter-relate throughout design, and optimising them in an imaginative way is key to producing quality school buildings.

Educators and architects are saying that we need to do better with the design and provision of our educational buildings. It is therefore crucial to re-define the purpose of our schools. This is important so as to ensure that the facilities being built assist in the learning of its students and to ensure that the financial investment in our school facilities is giving us an environmentally sustainable and economically sustainable return.

There has also been much research into the understanding of how students learn. Students now enter a variety of places and spaces during their day. This activity requires more flexible and durable work and education spaces. These changes have implications for school design. Learning spaces of various configurations have taken over from the standard classrooms. There are large spaces for group assemblies, smaller spaces for informal learning and conversation, and greater consideration for providing spaces which are attractive and comfortable. Quite simply, school should be a stimulating place to be for all.

THERMOMASS Building Insulation System has been used in many of the school projects undertaken by ARCHITECTUS over recent years. ARCHITECTUS has shown itself to be a leader in economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable school designs.

Some examples of ARCHITECTUS / THERMOMASS School projects are:

- Balwyn High School, Balwyn

- Australian Technical College, Ringwood

- St Michaels College, Caulfield
- Clonard College, Geelong,
- Kolbe Catholic College, Greenvale Lakes
- Ruyton Girls' School (Junior School Extension), Kew