Self-sufficient school provides energy for neighbouring households
Skop, an architecture firm in Zurich, Switzerland, has completed a self-sufficient school in the Swiss village of Port.
Using prefabricated timber construction methods, sustainably sourced wood has been used throughout the school’s design. From an environmental perspective, the building has an air-tight envelope with an energy-efficient ventilation system. Also, operable windows allow natural cross ventilation and night cooling, resulting in greater comfort.
Impressively, 1,102 solar panels provide enough electricity to cover the energy consumption of the school. Not only does this turn the building into a self-sufficient school, it manages to provide enough energy for 50 additional households.
The design references the pitched roofs of the neighbouring houses, the region’s rural history, and the undulations of the nearby Jura mountains.
Placed on a gentle slope, the building takes advantage of the topography and links various outdoor spaces according to different access routes.
The school’s ground floor is used for faculty administration, workshops, a kitchen, and back of house areas. The first floor comprises nine classrooms and three kindergarten units.
