Examines the size of child-care-center spaces as a factor for designing developmentally appropriate facilities. Explores a range of architectural and design issues related to the size of spaces and ways of subdividing rooms to provide opportunities for small-group, quiet activities that are important to quality child care. (AA)

Presents the opinions of five school design and construction experts on the future of school facility design and use. Issues discussed involve changes in classroom size, school facilities doubling as community-use buildings, emphasis on life cycle costing on construction projects, the future of modular school buildings, and the possibility of…

Evaluating educational facilities requires utilizing an effective assessment process. The five key components of space adequacy are scheduling efficiency, design efficiency, technical capacity, practical capacity, site capacity, and suitability. Assessment of the physical adequacy of school building should explore the following areas:…

Argues that Catholic schools need to consider what makes a school Catholic when confronting issues of architectural design. Addresses differences in needs between elementary, middle, and high schools, and offers a case study that illustrates a successfully designed urban Catholic high school. (NB)

This speech discusses computer lab/classrooms and the issue of properly combining space, pedagogy, and technology when facility planning to better enhance student learning and support the teaching process. Several case studies illustrate classroom computer workstation configurations and how these may help or impede student learning and…

Discusses the importance of planning lighting in childcare centers. Ideas for organizing lighting in efficient and developmentally appropriate ways are offered. Suggestions are made for provisions that will ensure children's gradual transition from bright to dimly-lit rooms. Guidelines for assessing light quality in a facility and the degree to…

Claims that almost none of the preschool design literature bridges the interest and technical concern of architects and education professionals. Offers design suggestions for classrooms, outdoor spaces, shared spaces, offices, teachers' space, and a place for parents. Discusses general design issues such as textures and colors, materials, security…

This paper examines four key elements in the designing-for-all-children concept for school environments. Designing-for-all-children designs acknowledge that children pass through differing, yet recognizable, stages of development; and that children need usable environments free from physical and social barriers. Key elements address equitable use,…

Problems to be overcome in making the transition from a traditional classroom to a real business environment include provision for a mix of activities, variety of space sizes and shapes, multifuction spaces, and flexible planning. (Includes guidelines for adapting facilities.) (JOW)

Describes spatial, pedagogical, and psychological dimensions of the pottery studio as an art learning environment. Contends that the art learning environment, at its deeper levels, is determined by the philosophic meanings and underlying attitudes of student and instructor as conveyed in their speech and writing. (RM)

Discusses practical considerations for planning and designing microcomputer laboratories so that equipment can be easily installed, protected, and accessed. (MLF)

Presented as a conversation between a teacher and engineer about school design, addresses educators' preferences and engineers' perspectives on issues, such as windows, sustainable design, sinks, acoustics, and natural ventilation. (EV)

A seven-step strategy for improvement of college classroom spaces is outlined, and specific suggestions are made for designing efficient and effective spaces, including considerations for size, arrangement, seating, lighting, writing surfaces, and audiovisual and other classroom teaching equipment. (MSE)

The special classroom design needs implied by different teaching methods (lecture, discussion, lecture with audiovisuals, group instruction via computer, self-paced learning, specialized teaching) are examined; and classroom planning considerations are discussed. Three fixed-design room types are described and their advantages and disadvantages…

Reviews some of the most relevant research regarding classroom design, draws from this research a number of principles for the design and management of classroom space, and discusses issues that need to be examined with respect to the effective use of the physical environment in instruction. Forty-two references are listed. (Author/CHC)