The over 1.8 lakh sq.ft school complex spread over 7.5 acres of land, is based on extensive green planning for incorporating green features and eco-friendly building materials. All the school blocks are north-south oriented and multiple internal courtyards have been planned to enable the building to breathe from within. The spacious classrooms and the library receive the north light through large windows, while the south side has deep verandahs and corridors that cut the sun's glare and mitigate the heat effect of the Vadodara weather.
Every classroom has ventilators above the windows and doors - keeping the internal area well ventilated and cooler than the outside ambient temperatures. Each classroom has landscaped spaces outside the north windows and landscaped courtyards on the southern side, such that students and teachers breathe more oxidized air.
A vermiculite plaster inside and tile cladding on the outside add to the heat insulation of the fly ash brick walls. The terrace tops have been laid with heat insulating layer and then fixed with white glazed tiles that reflect all the heat.
Other construction elements include low VOC paints and sealants; recycled materials, bagasse (sugarcane stalk remains) boards for the furniture, and natural stones like pebbles, marble, and granite for various landscape features.
Optimum sustainability has been ensured by incorporating green features and products throughout the building and to the extent possible
Ar. Prem Nath
Rainwater harvesting, and sewage treatment plants enable use of more than 75% water for flushing and landscaping. Solar panels of 60kw enable 7- 8% power saving and power backup. Most Importantly, by virtue of the planning of the school blocks, air-conditioning is not required for any classrooms, labs, library and other student areas, which is a major power saving feature of more than 35% of the electric load.
Installation of energy-friendly T5 tubes, CFLs and LEDs has enabled power saving up to 20% than the routine usage. Water saving faucets and sensor-controlled urinals enable a lot of water saving. FRLS cables and compact / dry type transformers enhance energy efficiency. STP and rainwater harvesting, topped with water saving faucets enable a daily saving of 75 - 80%
