When we hear the phrase "thermomodernization", we think of measures to improve the energy performance of a building, but before the eyes of our imagination appears the sight of a building affected by pastelosis, a chronic disease of the landscape of Polish cities. From time to time, thermomodernizations happen that are a bit more "restrained" in their expression, sometimes even quite aesthetically pleasing. But what if, as part of thermomodernization, in addition to insulating and improving aesthetics, the functionality of the renovated building was also taken care of? Such a task was undertaken by the PORT studio from Wroclaw, which designed the thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow. See how the thirty-year-old facility turned into a modern school.
The elementary school in Domaniów is a school like many in Poland. Built between 1997 and 2002 on the initiative of Eugeniusz Engel, a representative of the Olawa fire department, it bravely served its purpose for a quarter of a century. The building consists of four segments oriented around a central block with an entrance area, creating a layout that resembles, with good intentions, an "H" shape. Each of the wings had a separate function - one of them housed a sports hall, while the others were divided according to the age of the children studying in them.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
What was modern just before the advent of the new millennium, however, is no longer sufficient today, so in 2021 the Domaniów municipality announced a plan to thermomodernize two schools located within its borders. One of them was precisely the John Paul II Elementary School in Domaniów, for the renovation of which the PORT studio from Wroclaw was to be responsible. In its case , however, it did not end with insulation.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
all it takes is a good reason
After PORT architects won the tender, they presented a comprehensive plan that went beyond the thermal insulation and replacement of heating sources originally announced by the mayor of Domaniow in 2021.
The form of the building, despite its very good spatial assumptions, began to require revitalization both aesthetically and functionally, reorganization of the purpose of the rooms, adjustment and improvement of architectural details, improvement of aesthetics. Thermomodernization became the impetus and provided an opportunity to make changes, raising the school's profile as a local center of education and community life.
- write the architects.
Thermomodernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
first impression
Thermomodernization was a great reason to refresh the external appearance of the school in Domaniow. The austerity of the mass, surprising for a turn-of-the-century realization, gave the opportunity to carry out a renovation that changed the architectural expression of the building with little effort. The facades were further simplified, the roof eaves were reduced, and the whole building was covered with light-colored plaster. The top of the building was gently emphasized thanks to tin bands, which are an extension of the roof covering.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
The arcades in the entrance areas are a new architectural element. The inner sides of the canopies are lined with mirrored material, and additional light access is provided by geometric oculus. Preceding the entrances with arcades is not only an additional architectural accent - the new elements create an additional "transition" space, conducive to integration and getting used to school reality.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
reorganization
Although the building of the elementary school in Domaniow united the spatial disposition of the individual parts with the functions they served from the very beginning, after the revitalization carried out by the PORT studio, the interior layout underwent a reorganization. To the main part of the building, where the entrance area is located, the functions that children use equally were moved. The library and the school canteen were located there. In addition, brand new spaces were also taken care of - one of them is a room where students can display their work.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
school with model access
According to data from the Educational Information System, at the end of 2021, when the decision was made to thermomodernize the Domaniów facility, only 70% of Polish schools were fully, or at least partially, adapted to accommodate students with disabilities. The elementary school in Domaniów was among those facilities at the time, but thanks to the revitalization, barriers for people with special needs are no longer a problem there.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
Was there an elevator in your elementary school? In mine, unfortunately, no, although it was attended by a person in a wheelchair, who found it difficult to move around the school corridors. According to the author's team, spatial barriers in the entrance areas have disappeared from the Domaniów elementary school, and access to individual floors for people in wheelchairs is facilitated by an elevator, which was added to one of the building's interior corners.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
When designing the interiors, thought was also given to visually impaired people - they are helped in navigating the building by the school's visual identification system, which is clear through the use of contrasting colors. Each of the school's zones has a designated color scheme, which further helps identify the places where children are currently located. In turn, tyflographic maps have been prepared for the blind.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
neurodesigned school
Accessibility is not only limited to adapting buildings for people with limited mobility. It's also about creating spaces where children with neuroatypical characteristics will feel as comfortable as their neurotypical peers. Special quiet zones and sensory furniture will help them in the face of excess stimuli.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
stimuli were reduced to create a space conducive to concentration, natural finishing materials were selected, and an exhibition area was designed to allow users to create them interactively. Natural materials such as plywood were used at key points in the interiors, creating a welcoming atmosphere that supports children's development.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow - checkroom before thermal modernization
© PORT studio and architecture studio
Thermomodernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
Wood appears in the cladding of walls and radiators, on doors with small glazing, stairs and benches. Bright colors were used on the walls, and the whole project was complemented by aesthetically pleasing furniture, which transformed rooms that are unfriendly in many schools, such as locker rooms and toilets, into safe and accessible spaces.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
The interiors of the Domaniów school were also equipped with elements that support children's development and help them discharge excess energy and emotions. Classrooms have been designed so that their colors have a positive effect on concentration levels, adaptive lamps with variable light intensity also play their role in this. In addition to lounge areas, the corridors also featured boxing bags or special floors with a treadmill motif. In one of the rooms designated for play, special sensory panels were placed on the floor , allowing contact with surfaces of different textures - such as wood, brick, grass or shiny sheet metal.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
it was all about warmth
The topic of work at the Domaniow elementary school began with the need to improve the energy performance of the building, which until 2021 was still coal-fired, like several other schools in the municipality. The school was insulated, heat pumps, mechanical ventilation and photovoltaic panels appeared. Electricity savings are also achieved through adaptive lighting, the intensity of which changes with the amount of sunlight available.
Thermomodernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
Solutions were also applied, the undeniable effectiveness of which is much more difficult to describe using numbers and tables. It's about greenery - there was already quite a lot of it around the school, by the way, the whole municipality is surrounded by fields, meadows and forests. However, after the thermal modernization , plants became an integral part of the school building. The architects introduced greenery on the roofs of the newly created arcades in front of the entrance areas. In the context of an educational institution, they not only have a positive effect on biodiversity, water retention around the front of the building, but also play their role in improving the well-being of male and female students, who, sitting in classrooms located on the upper floors, will look out over the rooftop meadows.
Thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniow
Photo: Aleksander Zajączkowski © PORT studio and architecture studio
not just money
Summarizing their project, the architects write:
[...] various subsidy programs for thermal modernization of schools are not only an opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, but also a chance to revitalize them. This is an opportunity to adapt educational facilities to changing generational needs, improve functionality and aesthetics that support the educational process and community development.
However, additional funding is not everything - in addition to it, you need initiative and a good project. In the case of the thermal modernization of the elementary school in Domaniewo, neither of these things was lacking.
