From Modules to Communities: Fostering Flexibility and Aggregation in School infrastructure for Sustainable Smart Territories

Developing smart cities implies developing networks with the territory: not only communication and data networks, but also service networks that avoid unsustainable depopulation or impoverishment of rural and peripheral territories. With this purpose, the outcome of a research on how to respond to the need for new school infrastructure in northern Argentina is presented. In this way, the school “network” can be sustainability-oriented and offer a certain level of education to the entire population, regardless of the location of residence. For this purpose, a prefabricated wooden module is proposed that is designed according to the very hot climatic conditions found in northern Argentina (bioenvironmental zone I according to IRAM 11603) and that can be the basic cell for the formation of new schools, buildings for public services and even residences or guest houses. The dimensions of the module and the stratigraphies and materials that make up the walls, floor and roof of the prefab are described. The various possibilities of aggregation and the HVAC system are also explained. The energy needs for the entire year are estimated, which, thanks to the installation of rooftop PV, can be fully met even when the location is “off grid,” if adequate batteries are provided. Connected to the power grid, which can be used as a virtual accumulator, the module is still energy self-sufficient and therefore suitable for carbon-free operation.