Combining innovation with education, a public secondary school building in the small Estonian town of Pölva offers 67 courses and can teach up to 272 students. But, unlike most secondary schools, this one boasts something quite special – the school is almost completely energy neutral, thanks to the EU-funded project ‘Construction of gymnasium of Pölva’.
- 22 August 2017
For the first time, we have a schoolhouse students do not want to leave. We have a place where performances are not just a school party, but a part of the community as a whole. Nice architecture, energy efficiency and a good indoor atmosphere are definitely a mix to strive for in future buildings, especially in buildings designed for children.
The energy-saving credentials include the roof of the building which houses 144 solar panels, producing 37.4 kW of power. Outdoor blinds regulate the temperature inside the building – they go down when it is very sunny, to keep the schoolhouse cool, and go up when it is windy to prevent them from breaking.
Even the toilets are energy efficient – the school has installed a 10-000-litre rainwater tank which collects water to be used for sanitation. If the tank fills up, boxes are also installed in the ground to store the excess water.
The EU-funded school was built as part of Estonia’s strategy to provide varied secondary education across the country, offering courses in five disciplines: culture, science, mathematics, social and general.
An eco-friendly environment
Building the school also centred on energy-efficient techniques. PIR insulation comprises a thermoset plastic with greater insulating properties than more commonly used materials, keeping the heat inside the school building more effectively and reducing the heating costs during the winter.
Cross-laminated timber was used to construct the bicycle garage and rubbish shed. Compared to the manufacturing of steel and concrete which generates CO2 emissions, the use of wood – which actually stores carbon – is much more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
A green learning curve
The entire building uses energy-efficient LED lights and a highly effective heat-recovery system. Environmentally friendly furniture is used inside while green areas have been designated around the school, with plot fencing and outdoor lighting. The school is also fully accessible for physically disabled people.
Since opening in January 2017, the eco-friendly building has managed to keep costs down while providing a unique learning environment for both students and teachers.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of Gymnasium of Põlva” is EUR 5 780 235, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 4 913 200 through the “Cohesion Policy Funding 2014-2020” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.