Eco-school creates space and light for clever heads

Planning: Neue Heimat Stadterneuerungsges.m.b.H., Stadtgemeinde Schwanenstadt und Heinz Plöderl (PAUAT-Architekten)

The combined school (Hauptschule II and Polytechnische Schule) in Schwanenstadt (Upper Austria) serves as a showcase example of thermal renovation of an old building with an extension to meet the passive house standard and make a significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The renovation employed prefabricated wooden wall elements and installed a comfort ventilation system. This project impressively demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale renovation to the passive house standard with reasonable additional costs.

School operation was scarcely impaired due to the short assembly times at the construction site. The positive effects for pupils and for the environment are felt daily: good quality fresh air, light rooms, very low energy requirements (90% less than before and 75% lower compared to conventional renovation). Additional energy was saved in the construction via ecological orientation and the use of wooden elements. The low heating energy requirement is met by a solar system. The additional costs of this comfort-oriented renovation amounted to 8% compared to conventional renovation.