LIVING SKIN AS A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY INSIDE KINDERGARTEN CLASSES IN HOT ARID CLIMATE

Abstract

The well-known fact that the built environment is the main contributor to global environmental problems. Many types of research have studied several building types concerning energy consumption like office buildings, residential buildings... etc. But through this study, kindergarten buildings are significant though they are small and uncommon when compared with different building types.

An excellent percentage of full-time working mothers are involved in Egypt's labor force, and there will be no other way except to send the children to kindergartens. From the maternal reaction, preschools and kindergarten is playing a vital action in daily life.

Inside kindergarten classes, the excess in the usage of mechanical systems for achieving desired thermal conditions affects the consumption of energy, the building's performance, and that increase of UHI. That highlights the importance of investigating how passive design strategies for educational buildings may help in saving energy.

Through this study, the living skin including both the living wall and the green roof was proposed to illustrate their roles in different aspects when implemented within kindergarten classes, it strengthens the ecological bond for children with the surrounding environment, increases children’s productivity, and decreases the energy consumption needed to operate the air conditioning system inside kindergarten classes to achieve the required thermal comfort for children.

Stages of simulation are carried out in 3 different climatic zones in Egypt. 3 stages of simulation are done to show the most appropriate application for living wall system; the first one concluded the most efficient façade orientation, the second stage concluded the most efficient air gap, and the third one recommends the most efficient window to wall ratio.

Economic study is done, to show the benefit that can be added by the application of the living skin. To test its efficiency, a comparison is carried out along each case study between the living skin cost and the saving that can be achieved after saving cooling loads and can positively affect the Egyptian national income.

A model by using the artificial neural network is proposed to identify the best living wall system application in any climatic zone in Egypt without any physical engineering processes. It can produce an output that is close enough to the solution.

Finally, a list of conclusions and recommendations are provided to give guidance for the selection and design of living skin, in every climatic zone across Egypt.