Project 1: RARE Architecture

For project 1 our group has to redefine the design of a ‘Mod-5’ relocatable classroom and incorporate the integration of RARE Architecture.

When designing within the philosophy of RARE architecture it is important to research and explore:

Flexible & adaptive structural systems

Renewable & environmental building materials

Modular building systems

Adaptive building envelopes

Renewable & non-conventional Energy systems

Innovative heating, ventilation cooling systems

Water collection and storage systems

To gain a better understanding of the existing Mod-5 relocatable classroom, I went on a site visit to South Geelong Primary school. The classroom I explored was a Prep room.

The unsightly exterior is very apparent in this first photo. It looks like a tin shed, very unappealing…

This exterior elevation below shows how the school has tried to make the portable classroom look more appealing by surrounding it with some batten screening.

This exterior view shows how the school has attempted to integrate a small creek for the class frogs.

South Geelong Primary school is currently under construction. Some of the buildings were demolished. The old heritage blackboards were salvaged and the Principal said that are planning to fix them to the outside of portable classroom, so the preps can explore their artisty talents in the playground… I think this idea is great, reusing, recycling, making the outside of the building functional, educational and fun…

As the image shows integration with the existing school buildings is poorly done…

The entrance to the classroom…not particularly exciting for young children

A shared ‘Wet Area’ which is basically a sink in the office space

The shared Office for 2 teachers…

The Storage Room which is full to the brim with teaching material

The interior view below is the computer area for IT activities. Notice how the windows are covered up with displays…

This interior view shows the black board and whiteboard, the ceiling also being used as space to display children’s art work.

The classroom has fluorescent lighting and fans on the ceiling

It also has a split system to heat the space in winter and cool the space in the summer months.

I interviewed the prep teacher about teaching in a relocatable classroom.

Q1. How can the design of the classroom be improved?

More display areas is desperately needed

More storage space is required, for example not enough room for the kids schoolbags.

More flexibility with the space, maybe being able to create smaller spaces and larger ones.

Q2. What heating / cooling services are provided in the relocatable? Does it effect the quality of teaching or learning?

There is fans on the ceiling and a split system which provides both heating & cooling. The split system is quite noisy and can distract the students sometimes. When it is question time we have to turn it off as it is hard to hear.