Improving building design and indoor conditions in the mid-highlands of the French tropical island of La Réunion. Application to a green building high school “Le Tampon Trois Mares”.

This paper deals with the use of passive solutions to reach thermal comfort conditions in aneducational building under specific tropical climatic conditions. A case study of a green highschool building located in the French tropical island of La Reunion at an altitude of 600mwas used. The building designers initially planned for mechanical air conditioning in theclassrooms and in the administrative section however dynamic simulations pointed out thatwith an optimisation of passive solutions such as solar protection, insulation, natural andmechanical ventilation; active air conditioning systems could be avoided. Condensation risksduring the winter season were analysed also. The high school has been in service sinceSeptember 2003. This research was the first scientific study conducted in the highlands of atropical island. This paper presents the methodology used and describes the results andpassive solutions recommended which are now widely used by building owners to design newbuilding projects located in the same range of altitude.