Abstract

This article investigates the design of resilient and sustainable schools in Chile, a country frequently affected by natural disasters. It focuses on adapting existing schools to serve not only as comfortable educational spaces, but also as safe havens during emergencies. Using the MC-401-F school of mass typology as a case study. A rehabilitation plan is proposed that addresses challenges such as earthquakes and climate change. The methodology includes the selection of resilience and sustainability criteria based on literature and adapted to local realities. A detailed analysis of the climate and types of recurrent disasters in the region was carried out, integrating passive and active design strategies to guarantee indoor environmental comfort, verifying natural lighting, air quality, and thermal comfort evaluated by TRNSYS software in normal and emergency conditions, in case of catastrophe. The results show that, in normal operation, passive design strategies are not sufficient to achieve comfort temperatures, necessitating active heating. In emergency mode, effective thermal control is achieved with low rates of discomfort, although some areas such as the gym and library require improvements in ventilation and shading. This study highlights the importance of an integrated approach to school rehabilitation, balancing energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience. The findings suggest that although resilience criteria are met, there are opportunities for improvement in ventilation optimization and solar management to address specific thermal challenges. © Copyright by Fundacja PLEA 2024 Conference, Wrocław 2024.