Designing sustainable schools is about being sensitive to the local climate, writes John Brodie.

The past year has seen a gradual shift in the understanding of the value of sustainable design in Australian schools. As consultants to over 150 schools under BER, we worked closely with architects and principals to provide the science of sustainable design behind improving efficiency and comfort levels. Although only a small step, we were pleased to see greater awareness in schools of sustainability and its importance to the health and comfort of students and teachers, and improved efficiency resulting in reduced running costs. The UK government has mandated a series of bulletins that...