A school district's organization of facility needs assessment instruments and generic education facility specifications coupled with the computer capabilities of a South Carolina architectural firm shortened a school building project by over one year. (MLF)

Changing educational requirements have led to many school building design developments in recent years, including technologically sophisticated music and computer rooms, large school kitchens, and Title IX-mandated equal facilities available for both sexes. (MLF)

Provides a process model for developing educational specifications--precise statements of activities, curriculum, and functions that a proposed school building will house--and highlights specific requirements and features. A graph and a relationship matrix illustrate the process. Includes 12 references. (MLF)

Planning for the Alabama Space and Rocket Center's new recreational-educational complex included (1) goal establishment, (2) needs assessment (including accessibility for the disabled), (3) environmental impact analysis, (4) formulation of objectives and priorities, and (5) strategy development to meet objectives, as well as preparation of a…

An experienced interior designer, equipped with a well-written educational specification, will specify the best materials and coordinate colors, materials, and furnishings in line with the district's budget. (MLF)

Examines how rising energy costs will affect school planning in general and urban school planning in particular. It discusses the energy crisis, the energy consumption by schools, and the potential for energy conservation in education. Also describes a project to be undertaken in New York City to determine ways of conserving energy in that city's…

A roofing project of any substantial size should involve an architect, an engineer, or a roof consultant. Careful planning and design, diligent construction, and quality inspection, offer owners a quality roof job. (MLF)

A roof management program protects the capital investment of a new roof. Steps to create a program are (1) assemble roof information files, (2) implement a roof inspection program with periodic inspection, and (3) establish maintenance scheduling and implementation. (MLF)

Performance-based evaluation, along with a database of reliable and objective information concerning existing educational facilities, can help planners identify facility needs. An example of such a system in Vigo County, Indiana, is provided. (MLF)

Trends changing from "fad" status to acceptance as the norm for contemporary schools are flexibility, adaptability, a reduction in fenestration, compactness, use of color, carpeting, and many new construction materials. (Author/MLF)

Precise educational specifications are necessary to ensure optimum use of computers for administration and instruction. Site selection and preparation requirements for a Local Area Network (LAN) are provided along with requirements for the selection and installation of a telecommunication system. (MLF)

A process for assessing the condition of nonindustrial physical plant facilities such as campuses, school systems, and office complexes is presented. Text and figures illustrating an assessment performed for the city of Seattle, Washington, include a facility management system flowchart, information records, cost estimates, and a database design.…

In Virginia, ownership of unused school facilities reverts to the city or county government. This situation illustrates Total Community Resource Planning, a concept that proposes cooperatively utilizing resources to serve the needs of the total community. Explains the steps necessary to systematize the process. (MLF)

Empirical evidence, using qualified science teachers, has shown that spatial attributes can be correlated with teaching methods. (MLF)