ADAPTIVE SCHOOLS: EXPLORING HOW DESIGNING FOR DISASSEMBLY CAN EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF MATERIALS AND BE APPLIED TO THE FLUCTUATING REQUIREMENTS OF TEACHING FACILITIES

Abstract

This thesis investigates how designing with disassembly in mind will extend the lifespan of materials and decrease the environmental impact of construction. The most suitable programs to test this concept involve projects that benefit from built in flexibility, ease of expansion and would benefit from the ability to be disassembled and reassembled on another site. The program being used to test this theory is elementary schools within the school district of Coquitlam where the demographics and population fluctuate resulting in schools being closed in some parts of the district and schools being opened in other areas. The project will be evaluated by looking at constructing a core of classrooms and learning commons which would expand and contract to meet the enrollment demands around the district. This approach will have built in flexibility to meet the ever-evolving teaching methods of the district and individual teachers.