Students study in green at this university in the Netherlands
The Aeres University of Applied Sciences Almere, part of Flevo Campus, might look like something right out of a sci-fi movie about the future. Designed by BDG Architecten, this building in the Netherlands is climate-adaptive, energy-neutral and beautifully designed.
The design itself reflects the sustainable nature of the building, which is built with circular, self-sustaining solutions in mind. The building is draped with plants and filled with them too. Inside, there are plants and trees that create green walls.
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The green walls are called the “green lung,” a series of different walls and plants that grow from the entrance to the roof. The plants provide air purification, balance the moisture and even improve the acoustics in the school. It’s also a living lab, of sorts. Students research urban food supplies and the ways the greenery contributes to the building and to learning performance.
The exterior of the building has a smart skin. There are PV panels on the west side that generate energy and provide shade from the sun. The east side of the building, which faces a tree garden, is all plants.
The green roof provides more sustainable areas. Rainwater is collected to provide for all these living things. A canopy of PV panels on the roof protects students from the sun while they’re out there studying.
The building is made with all sorts of eco-friendly materials. That includes concrete granulate, stairs made with recycled wood and recycled metal studs in the walls.
Around 900 students can be accommodated here. They will have input into their building and their education and perhaps come up with innovative ideas of their own.
Green buildings use energy efficiently and make use of renewable energy sources. They provide awesome air quality inside and the materials used to create them are non-toxic and sustainable. This new school building fits all of these criteria and serves as a model for others to follow.
Images via BDG Architecten
Written by KC Morgan
