“Green Pockets” as Microclimate Modifiers in the UK Urban Schools

The rapid densification of many UK cities poses significant pressure on the design of schools within inner city centres. London’s air quality has been associated to increased mortality, and pollution and noise levels have exceeded acceptable standards. As a consequence, most schools are mechanically ventilated and have little or no contact with the outdoors, with detrimental effects for the physical and mental development of students. This study investigates the possibility of improving the design of usually neglected and underexploited outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces within urban learning environments in order to convert these spaces into microclimatic modifiers and natural air filters. The study was based on field work, analytic work and design studies on a case study project for a secondary school in a high density site in London.  This is a collaborative thesis project conducted with Architype architects, who shared our interest in the environmental potential of outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces within schools. The research focused on the integration of green spaces into three different environments: outdoor courtyard, semi-outdoor break-out space and indoor classroom. It is later explored how the connection between those typologies effect the air pollution levels, natural ventilation potential and thermal and visual comfort of the occupants. The findings of the analysis and design implementations indicate that the positive microclimatic effect of the green courtyard can be successfully used to achieve thermal comfort in semi-outdoor and indoor spaces throughout the year while improving visual comfort and air quality. The outcome is a guideline based on the post processing of the findings from all the stages of the research. It is aiming to help the designers to take better-informed design decisions in response to current challenges that UK’s urban schools are facing.