Describes issues related to the use of modular (relocatable) classroom facilities. The Modular Building Institute (www.mbinet.org) provides information on modular buildings. (PKP)

Describes differences between two types of school facilities: portable (prebuilt, temporary wood structure installed on site) and modular (method of construction for permanent buildings). Provides details of modular construction. (PKP)

A Pennsylvania school district faced an immediate need for additional classroom space at a high school. In seven months, a module containing four relocatable classrooms was installed and is considered an attractive addition to the school campus. (MLF)

School planners in Phoenix (Arizona) have coped with unexpected student population shifts by interspersing permanent schools with modular ones. Desert Winds Elementary School, in a Phoenix suburb, was constructed entirely of relocatable modular units. (Author/MLF)

The design team for the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) has pushed the state of the energy art to its current limits for the initial phase, with provisions for foreseeable and even speculative future applications. (Author/MLF)

Explains that classrooms and school furniture were built for a different era and often do not have sufficient power for technology, discussing what is needed to support modern technology in education. One solution involves modular cabling and furniture that is capable of being rearranged. Currently, there are no comprehensive standards from which…

This supplement presents three articles on modular construction that look at: "Fast Track Expansion for a New Jersey School" (involving a modular addition); "Precast Construction Helps Schools Meet Attendance Boom" (precast concrete components are quick, durable, and flexible); and "Airing HVAC Concerns" (poor indoor air quality in prefabricated…

Describes Capistrano (California) Unified School District's use of portable classrooms to solve overenrollment problems while complying with Governor Wilson's directive to reduce class size in primary grades. When evaluating the merits of relocatable classrooms, school leaders should consider acquisition and use, identification of responsible…

A Long Island, New York, school district has used portable classrooms to deal with the space problems caused by temporary spikes in student enrollment. The overall cost of using portable classrooms to solve long-term problems eventually surpasses the overall cost of building permanent structures. Lists guidelines for determining when to use…

Examines how modular educational facilities can provide a viable alternative in building construction when speed and safety are key construction issues. Explains the durability of modular structures, their adherence to building codes, and the flexibility that they provide in design and appearance. The advantages to permanent modular construction…

When designing schools, one should assign space for athletic fields, arrange halls so that traffic will not disturb classrooms, separate grade levels, provide playgrounds exclusively for younger children, and provide lighting and ventilation. Unit plans should be designed so that all educational and domestic activities can be executed in the…

Describes how a Florida district accommodated an influx of students by using portable, self-contained classrooms built around a permanent core of offices: a modular campus. Discusses the search for classroom space, how to integrate the modular pieces into the setting, and outlines the savings and benefits of this process. (RJM)

Reviews the history of architectural developments in academic libraries. Highlights include natural lighting and the invention of the incandescent bulb; compact shelving; open versus closed stacks; modular construction methods; central air conditioning and controlled environments; interior arrangements; access to handicapped users and staff; and…

The Children's Learning Center in Providence, Rhode Island, is a prototypical teaching/learning environment for preschool children aged 3-5. The center represents the first prototypical application of the Multi-Activity Zones for Education (MAZE) system. This study attempts to demonstrate and test the physical and operational performances of the…