Modular Outdoor Classroom - Designed Using Fusion 360

Hi! My name is Sophia DiLoreto and I am a junior at Wachusett Regional High School in Massachusetts. For this project, I used Autodesk Fusion 360 for the first time. For reference, this design took a total of around 80 hours to complete. This time was spent in my architectural and design class.

From the moment I saw this design challenge, I wanted to create something that could actually be used in the real world. After being stuck inside, even during school, for over a year from Covid-19, I realized that being at the same desk every day staring at a computer screen is no way to learn. This is why I created an outdoor classroom.

Integrating a learning space with its natural environment would help students explore the world around them and provide a new way of education. This explorative classroom is completely self sustainable, with a hot water heat pump, an AC unit, solar panel system, plenty of storage space, and more! By having the classroom being made out of a singular shipping container, it can be easily moved from one location to another. 

This classroom can serve a plethora of purposes, including a natural disaster relief classroom. When a natural disaster occurs, such as a hurricane, it can take months to rebuild what was lost. With this portable classroom, it can be delivered to schools in a fraction of the time it would take to rebuild an entire school.

-Shipping Container x1

-Mini Split AC Unit x1

-Hot Water Heat Pump x1

-Solar Panels x6

-Solar Charge Controller x1

-Battery Bank x4

-Solar Inverter x1

-Storage Cart x1

-Shelving x3

-Cabinet x1

-L-Shaped Desk x1

-Stools x4

-Large Sliding Glass Door Components x1

-Folding Table Components x1

-Electrical Outlet x2

-Mini Fridge x1

-Interior Light Fixture x3

-Gooseneck Light Feature x3

-Lightbulbs x6

-Gutter x1

-Rain Collection Bucket x1

To start, I made a simple 20' long x 8' wide x 9'6” high box. Then, I sketched out the corrugation on all six sides to make it look more realistic. On the left side wall of the container, there is the classroom sign, mini split AC unit, and the heat pump. By having these components outside, it allows more space on the inside of the classroom. 

The front side of the classroom contains the sliding glass door and sinks with gooseneck light fixtures overhead. With the sinks being on the exterior, it is easily accessible for students to use, while also saving room on the inside of the classroom. 

As for the lighting fixtures, if it were dark outside, or if the shipping container was placed in a shady wooded area, the classroom would be clearly lit up. 

The right side of the classroom has plant beds and a gutter system with a rain collector. The plant beds add more appeal to the eye and are watered with the rain collection system. These small details even have their own way of being self sufficient!

I wanted the shipping container to have plenty of natural light, so I added a window on one side, and a large sliding glass door. The glass door needed a track so it is easy to open and close. There are supports with wheels connecting the door to the track, and handles on both sides. With half the wall being taken up by the glass, it allows the students to feel like they’re actually outside. By having the door slide instead of opening up into the container, more room is saved for different components.

I decided to go with solar panels for the main source of energy, as it is more energy efficient for a smaller space like a shipping container. It is also easier for the shipping container to have its own unit of energy instead of connecting it to a separate source. Solar panels provide a clean source of energy, without putting any unneeded emissions from fossil fuels into the atmosphere. I have six 300 watt solar panels on the roof of the shipping container, a total of 1800 watts. The reason they aren’t tilted up towards the sun in one direction is because this shipping container could be placed anywhere in the world. It is impossible to have a configuration that would work for each location. Having them lay flat eliminates this issue completely, and still provides an efficient source of energy. The energy of the solar panels comes down into a corner of the classroom so it is out of the way, yet accessible if needed. The corner contains a box of components that allows for energy to be used in the classroom. In the box lies a solar charge controller that regulates the amount of power that is going into the next component, the battery bank. There are four batteries in the entire battery bank, providing 80 amp hours (A-h) of available power. The power from the battery bank is then transferred to the solar inverter. The inverter takes DC power in and AC power out. The whole system provides around 4000 watts/hr, which is plenty for all of the components, such as the light fixtures, the fridge, and the hot water heat pump, to run effectively.

An outdoor workspace is crucial for an outdoor classroom. I thought combining the outdoors with a learning space would be perfect. I thought a projecting table would do the trick. Originally, I had the table stationary, but after a bit of feedback, I decided to change my design. I was able to create a table that folds up and down, with a locking system to ensure the classroom is secure. The table is on a hinging system which allows it to be opened and closed. The outside of the shipping container has the supports for the table to be folded down onto. On the inside of the classroom are the locking hinges. It is a simple system that when put into position, locks onto the table to create a tight seal. This is a super helpful tool if there was bad weather, or if it were too cold outside. By having the table fold up and down, the shipping container can be used any time of the year. I added surrounding stools so students could work, with an added awning to provide shade.

On the left side wall, lies a heat pump and a mini split AC unit. Initially, I had a black hot water tank that would be heated by the sun through the solar panels’ power. But after further discussion, a hot water heat pump seemed to be a better option because of its heightened effectiveness. The heat pump pulls air from the outside, and heats it to a higher temperature through electricity. This is what allows the classroom to have hot water for the sinks on the outside of the classroom. 

As for the mini split AC unit, there were many options to choose from to regulate the temperature of the classroom. However, the mini split is the most efficient for the space it takes up. It only consists of two components that are out of the way; one is outside and the other is placed up high on the classroom wall. The outside unit is called the condenser, and the unit inside is called an evaporator. The condenser takes air in and cools into the desired temperature for the evaporator to transmit into the classroom.

Storage space is plentiful in this classroom with cabinets, shelves, and desk space. I created a portable storage cart that is easily moved from the inside to the outside with its wheels. It has a tray on the bottom to store books or supplies for outdoor activities. In the corner of the shipping container there is an L-shaped desk. Multiple students can use the desk at once, and store all necessary classroom materials. Additionally, there are shelves along the back wall of the classroom specifically tailored to hold books. The last storage aspect of the classroom is an open-faced cabinet above the desk so it is easy to see what the cabinet contains. 

To add all the possible components needed, I added a mini fridge to hold lunches and refreshments for the teacher and students. The fridge receives its power from the solar panel system and is plugged into the nearby electrical outlet. Multiple outlets inside the classroom are able to power whatever devices needed. From lamps to computers, the solar panels have plenty of energy to support any item. 

One of the last components are the lighting fixtures. There are three of the interior lighting fixtures to brighten up the classroom on a gloomy day. They contain LED light bulbs which also get their power from the solar panels.

To see the whole shipping container be built from the ground up, feel free to watch these timelapses! There is a front and back view of the classroom to see the sliding door, solar panels, AC unit, heat pump, folding table, and all other components of the classroom!