Discussion: The Sustainable Rehabilitation of School Buildings
Apart from their homes, the place where children and young people spend most time is at school. In view of this, environmental compatibility, energy efficiency and sustainability are not only desirable goals for such buildings; they also provide a useful means of instruction and can heighten pupils' consciousness of the issues involved. Only when young people understand the relationship between cause and effect can they develop a greater awareness of the environment. In this way, the school can become a place for the exchange of information, where future decision-makers and the heirs of the climate change can test ideas (ill. 3). In this respect, a holistic understanding of the term "sustainable" is imperative. In addition to an optimization of energy use, it embraces a broad range of environmental measures, such as the careful selection of materials and technology, assessing the scope for recycling, reducing the use of grey energy, exploiting natural sources of energy, the careful use of resources and water, and the reduction of sealed external surfaces.
