Ma’erkan Solar School Competition

  • Location:Ma’erkang, Sichuan
  • Description:Elementary school
  • Total:8.000 m2
  • Design:2009
  • Status:竞赛/Competition – Nomination
  • Award(s):Award International Solar Building Design Competition 2009
  • Client:International Solar Energy Society

The design is inspired by the traditional architecture of Ma’erkang: robust natural stone, adobe, softer wood-covered spaces in the courtyards with individual buildings in groups that face the sun. Besides maximizing the use of solar features, our design sets out to use mostly local materials and building techniques. Keeping in mind the rural setting, the design solutions should be economically feasible: solar design without high-tech.

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Ma’erkan Solar School Competition

  • Location:Ma’erkang, Sichuan
  • Description:Elementary school
  • Total:8.000 m2
  • Design:2009
  • Status:竞赛/Competition – Nomination
  • Award(s):Award International Solar Building Design Competition 2009
  • Client:International Solar Energy Society

The design is inspired by the traditional architecture of Ma’erkang: robust natural stone, adobe, softer wood-covered spaces in the courtyards with individual buildings in groups that face the sun. Besides maximizing the use of solar features, our design sets out to use mostly local materials and building techniques. Keeping in mind the rural setting, the design solutions should be economically feasible: solar design without high-tech.

The main building volumes house the dormitories including the canteen and the classrooms for the elder students. The classrooms for the youngest students are set apart in smaller, more private units with gardens and covered walkways. The canteen uses hybrid solar for heating. The dormitories are stacked on top of the canteen to increase solar gain. The roof is combined with a sun space on top of the dormitory that is used for clothes drying. Above the sunspace are thermal solar tubes for hot water and radiant heating.