Modern Mexican School Keeps Cool with Sun-Shading Skin
Posted By Andrew Michler On August 30, 2010 @ 12:32 pm In Architecture,Daylighting | 1 Comment
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The new Docet Institute is a preschool in Monterrey, Mexico that was designed with a sensitive eye toward children’s needs, energy requirements, and the wooded downtown property it is sited on. The interior is spacious and light-filled [5], and it wraps around to preserve a natural area with mature trees. The architects at Stación-ARquitectura Arquitectos [6] took the brilliant step of wrapping the school in a breathable metal skin to reduce heat gain, which in turn substantially lowers operating costs for the school in the balmy Mexican climate.
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The school is located along a main street in town, on a site that featured a number of mature trees. The trees were preserved by carefully placing the building, which has an L-shape [8]. The gauzy façade was developed by the architect and manufactured at a local machine shop. To create it, corrugated steel sheets [9] were punched and coated with a white paint. The sheets are installed on a block wall and provide protection from the sun in addition to a unique, soft profile that fits within the project’s limited budget.
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The interior is light-filled thanks to an open floor plan and carefully-placed skylights. Open view corridors and interior windows help parents and teachers mind the children’s activities. Lighting [11] leaves can adjust during daylight hours to save energy and lower the building’s reliance on heating systems. Outside, the children get to play in a preserved habitat [12], exploring the natural world.
+ Stación-ARquitectura Arquitectos [6]
Via Plataforma Arquitectura [13]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/modern-mexican-school-keeps-cool-with-solar-shading-skin/
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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/modern-mexican-school-keeps-cool-with-solar-shading-skin/
[4] Image: http://inhabitat.com/2010/08/30/modern-mexican-school-keeps-cool-with-solar-shading-skin/new-3-55/
[5] light-filled: http://inhabitat.com/daylighting/
[6] Stación-ARquitectura Arquitectos: http://www.stacion-arquitectura.com/
[7] Image: http://inhabitat.com/2010/08/30/modern-mexican-school-keeps-cool-with-solar-shading-skin/new-18-13/
[8] L-shape: http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=155308
[9] sheets: http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=155303
[10] Image: http://inhabitat.com/2010/08/30/modern-mexican-school-keeps-cool-with-solar-shading-skin/new-16-18/
[11] Lighting: http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=155313
[12] preserved habitat: http://inhabitat.com/?attachment_id=155318
[13] Plataforma Arquitectura: http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/2010/08/26/instituto-docet-stacion-arquitectura-arquitectos/
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