According to School Planning & Management magazine, there’s a direct connection between students’ physical environment and their academic achievement. An environment that encourages collaborative and individual learning has become the standard for today’s schools. As educators are working to encourage these types of learning within the classroom, so can architects with facility design and selection of mechanical systems.
Architects are challenged to design environments that include a combination of flexible spaces, such as open and private classrooms, as well as individual and collaborative study rooms. Architects often include design elements that evoke a feeling of openness for students, such as glass or natural lighting. These design elements, among others, allow students to see and interact with their surroundings, creating visual and social connectivity.
Architects also can consider highly efficient mechanical systems for the facility. Over the course of a school day, occupancy levels within a space vary, and such extremes can make it difficult to keep a space comfortable for students. Therefore, an HVAC system that meets a student’s comfort needs can enhance the educational experience. HVAC systems, such as Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, maximize square footage while offering the individual control, zoning capabilities and quiet operation necessary for an educational facility.
With flexible spaces and efficient mechanical equipment, architects are able to design the ideal educational environment for today’s students. At Mitsubishi Electric, we support architects’ plans for these applications. Learn more about applying smart technologies in our most recent White Paper, “Variable Refrigerant Flow: A Versatile HVAC Solution for K-12 Educational Facilities.”
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