24_Lavanya Mejaree

SOLAR ENERGY 

At first, while thinking of the design, I thought of existing schools and my experience or observation in them. The school is dependent on artificial sunlight throughout the day, so I chose to work on solar energy and natural light.

To maximize natural light, I considered elevating the structure on stilts. Additionally, I was exploring materials that would allow ample sunlight to enter, giving the space a lighter, more open feel.

Creating fragmented classrooms with connected bridges would be a fun experience, offering various surfaces for solar panels. However, many areas were left uncovered, and the system wasn't dictating the form.

Spatial arrangement 

Through my study of sun angles, I divided the year into three segments: summer sun at 37 degrees, monsoon sun at 46 degrees, and winter sun at 50 degrees. Using these angles, I experimented with different roof placements, which resulted in varying heights and widths for the structures. This approach allowed me to optimize the natural light throughout the year.

I advanced the concept of fragmented structures and varied angles, combining them to create multi-level forms with large overhangs that also served as roofs. However, when I added columns for support, the design started to look cagey and confined.

I envisioned staggering the roof to create dynamic light patterns within the classrooms, ensuring a constant presence of diffused natural light. 

To avoid the cagey appearance, I aligned the columns parallel to the roof. The initial material I worked with was concrete, which gave the structure an alien-like appearance. To place the solar panels, I utilized a space frame, and to maintain uniformity, I used cross-bracing for the columns. The levels were also constructed using space frames with wooden planks, and the parapets were made of perforated metal sheets.

The school's energy consumption is 5 kWh per day, while the solar panels produce 200 kWh per day.This highlights the significant surplus energy being generated which can be circulated forward to the locality .