Innovative IoT Implementation in School Architecture: A Case Study of Bamble Junior High School

• Buildings
• Education

• Product Research & Development

• Building Automation & Control
• Construction Management

Bamble Junior High School in Stathelle, Norway, was in need of a new building that would reflect the innovative philosophy of its architects, Spinn Arkitekter. The challenge was to design a sustainable, all-wood building that would serve as a place for learning, play, and life, while also being competitively priced. The architects needed to use efficient processes to achieve this goal. Additionally, the school building had to be welcoming and sustainable, reflecting the firm's commitment to using all-natural materials. The design also had to incorporate complex patterns on the exterior, a signature of Spinn Arkitekter's school designs. The dispersion of Spinn's offices across four locations added another layer of complexity to the project, necessitating a digital workflow that would allow for seamless collaboration.

The customer in this case study is Bamble Junior High School, located in Stathelle, Norway. The school was in need of a new building that would reflect its commitment to providing a conducive environment for learning, play, and life. The school desired a building that was not only sustainable and made from all-natural materials, but also competitively priced. The school's vision aligned with that of Spinn Arkitekter, a firm known for its innovative school architecture and commitment to sustainability. The school trusted Spinn Arkitekter to deliver a building that would meet its needs and reflect its values.

Spinn Arkitekter turned to digital processes to meet the challenges of the project. They used Google Docs and Archicad, a minimal toolset that allowed the team to retain the maximum amount of information. The use of Archicad enabled the team to present the construction team with a model that could be priced, ensuring that the environmentally friendly design was also competitively priced. The cross laminated timber, a traditional Norwegian building material, was incorporated into the model from the outset. The final design included classrooms situated to provide views of green spaces, and flexible furnishings that could be moved around to create new spaces. The firm's signature intricate patterns were easily transferred to the visualizations using Archicad's upgraded Curtain Wall tool. The tool also allowed for effective area control, enabling the team to compare different solutions and create the most area efficient buildings. The digital workflow facilitated collaboration across the dispersed offices and provided flexibility during the pandemic.

• The operational results of this project were significant. The use of digital workflows and tools like Archicad enabled Spinn Arkitekter to design a sustainable, all-wood school building that was competitively priced. The digital tools also facilitated effective collaboration across the firm's dispersed offices, ensuring that the right resources were allocated to the right project regardless of location. The digital workflow also provided flexibility during the pandemic, allowing the team to continue working effectively. The final design met the school's needs for a welcoming, sustainable environment conducive to learning, play, and life. The use of traditional Norwegian building materials and the incorporation of green spaces in the design further enhanced the sustainability of the building.

• Efficient use of space through digital area control, allowing for maximum utilization of the available area.
• Competitive pricing achieved through the use of Archicad, enabling the construction team to price the model.
• Successful collaboration across four dispersed offices, facilitated by digital workflows.