Inspiring environment and good quality air for creative thinking

Young people develop through architecture and design projects

Arkki, founded in 1993 and based on Finnish educational methods, develops the basic skills and abilities - creativity, complex thinking, flexibility - that children need to thrive in the 21st century through architecture and design projects.

Arkki's methodology is based on the triad "Play - Create - Experience Success". In the educational programme, participants aged 4-19 solve project-based tasks in small groups, using the methodology to develop creativity, thinking and integrate the learning of humanities and social sciences and the application of knowledge, alongside mathematics, arts, engineering, science and technology.

Thinking and acting together for a sustainable future

The project is all about responsible thinking, supporting young people to shape the future in innovative ways that promote sustainability. This is a mission shared by the companies involved in the development of Arkki's training centre in Budapest.

In September, the school started its training in a new educational centre on the ground floor of a building at 46 Damjanich Street, in the neighbourhood of the City Park, after the complete modernisation of a rented building. The 80-square-metre ground floor and 55-square-metre gallery section of the building houses two classrooms and service facilities.

The institution's ventilation Lindab solutions with the cooperation of the company's official system integrator, C3 Technik Studio Kft, and implemented by Termika Kft.

A central part of the participating companies' philosophy is to work towards a creative, high-quality, forward-looking end product that promotes sustainability and responsible thinking.

The Scandinavian values and the quest for quality are also reflected here, and it is important that these are also expressed in materialised form. This is why the Arkki training centre was a project that all participants loved, because the solutions and the work invested here can support an important cause that is also relevant for our future.

The relationship between a city centre building, health and proper ventilation

An important aspect in the design of the education centre was to create a healthy environment for young people, with good quality indoor air spaces. The human body is significantly affected by changes in air temperature, humidity and particulate matter concentrations. Concentration and well-being are fundamentally influenced by whether the spaces in which we live are provided with sufficient amounts of fresh and clean air. The lack of the latter causes drowsiness and de-concentration.

In the case of the education centre in the bustling city centre, it was a challenge early on in the renovation that the walls showed signs of capillary dampness, which obviously needs to be addressed in the long term as it could harbour the potential for mould growth that could be hazardous to health. Therefore, in this inner-city environment, and given the characteristics of a 100-year-old building, artificial ventilation and the design of an appropriate ventilation system using the best quality products was key. The Lindab solution proved to be an excellent choice.

Fresh air with quality air technology

In the Damjanich Street property, the entire ventilation system was installed in a way that is in line with design trends and is a very popular design solution these days. This fits well with the profile of the School of Architecture, as it demonstrates the intertwining of design and technology in architectural education.

For the air duct network, Lindab circular air duct elements, T-pieces and reducers with a diameter of 100-250 mm were used. In addition to the circular shape fitting perfectly into the interior not only in the city centre but also in other environments, the Lindab Safe circular air duct system is certified to Eurovent. It therefore provides excellent D air tightness, ensuring good indoor comfort and energy-efficient operation. Incidentally, it is quick and easy to install, making it ideal for project scheduling. The noise generated by the air handling unit is filtered by SLFA sound attenuators both indoors and outdoors. The VR external wall grilles ensure a sophisticated appearance on the external street façade.

The Arkki centre is designed to incorporate AE extraction grilles with 0 and 45 degree adjustable square grilles, as well as AD grilles with adjustable double baffles. In the central gallery space, Lindab RS15 adjustable blade rotary blowers were installed, which blend well into the interior and, despite the high ceiling height, provide a sufficient air volume to the occupied zone. Flexible ducting has been used to connect the plenum boxes, which ensures that the system is sound attenuated.

This project is a good example of how there are functional and design solutions of high quality that can be used to create an environment that is optimal for children to learn and realise their creative ideas. This is why the participating companies have been unanimous in their support for the project and in helping to make it a reality.