In the context of rising electricity prices, the search for the most effective ways to save resources is very timely. However, there are other tasks - in particular, ennobling the appearance of cities and improving the quality of human life. How can this be combined? You can be inspired by world practice - more and more interesting energy-saving architectural projects appear. Some of them just serve to solve a whole complex of socially significant problems at once. The new Le Trefl primary school in the Belgian city of Anderlecht is an example of a harmonious combination of innovative educational technologies, sustainable construction and attractive architecture. It is faced with ROCKPANEL non-combustible stone wool panels.
The school, designed for 750 students, consists of four partially overlapping circular buildings, which are interconnected by wide aisles, and an adjacent sports complex. Classrooms are located along the perimeter of three large rings, and round indoor playgrounds are located in their centers. The two-story building houses the entrance to the school, as well as technical services and premises for the staff serving the building.
In creating this unique shape, the Árter architects drew from the name of the area Le Trefl ("clover"), and also used the research of Japanese professor Mitsuru Senda. “He has proven that circular playgrounds can increase spontaneous activity by 20%,” says architect Patrick Vonk. “What's more, a circular building's façades are 20% smaller for the same floor space. Thanks to this, I was able to literally break down the standard structure of a school building with a closed corridor and use the opened space as an additional space for games."
The building is highly environmentally friendly. Consuming only 12 kWh / m2 per year, it achieves energy savings at the level of passive house standards. Various technologies are used to achieve this, including heat recovery, natural light, four-layer glazing with integrated sun protection, roof greening and rainwater use, and energy-efficient building materials.
In particular, Wonk chose ROCKPANEL Chameleon, Natural and Colors for the facade cladding, which is also associated with the task of providing an elegant appearance to the school. “I was pleasantly surprised to be able to use a material that emphasizes the circular concept of the school and is rated A + according to the BRE Green Guide. Materials for ultra-low energy buildings must be selected carefully, which is why we value manufacturers who perform the necessary performance tests and certifications and provide on-site support.”
According to Wonck, the selected panels make a significant contribution to the architectural appearance of the building. “They use crystals in their coating, so that it changes color depending on the angle of view and lighting. The unusual colors of the panels are perfectly combined with the seasonal changes in the beds that are located around the buildings. Signs have been engraved directly on the panels of the ROCKPANEL Chameleon to help navigate the school complex. The panels are insensitive to weather and moisture, so no special post-engraving treatment was required even where the coating was removed and the base material exposed.
