Historically, classrooms have utilized stationary furniture, facing front toward a centralized instructor position, and limiting student-to-student interactions. Such classrooms often stem from design processes that tend to focus on building codes and feedback from investors, architects, and planners, which leaves little input from instructors and…

There is a growing consensus that an appropriate classroom environment will aid the performance of the pupil with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are, however, very few design guidelines available when considering ASD and the school environment. Such guidelines that do exist tend only to be in general terms. Therefore, this article seeks to…

Architects and designers have a responsibility to provide an inclusive built environment. However, for those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the built environment can be a frightening and confusing place, difficult to negotiate and tolerate. The challenge of integrating more fully into society is denied by an alienating built…

Space requirements for accommodating wheeled mobility devices and their users in the built environment are key components of standards for accessible design. These requirements typically include dimensions for clear floor areas, maneuvering clearances, seat and knee clearance heights, as well as some reference dimensions on wheeled mobility device…

In these troubled economic times, members of college and university communities must provide effective learning environments to support ever-changing curricula while reducing budgets. At the same time, a growing body of literature points to shifting needs of the variously named digital natives, Millennials or the Net Generation. This article…

This study involved an in-depth floor space analysis of Cardozo Senior High School, and a review of design plans for a modernized McKinley Tech High School (both in Washington, DC), in order to prompt District of Columbia public schools to develop accurate measurements of useable (i.e., net) floor space, thereby allowing design standards flexible…

The purpose of this document is to transform the educational program planned for Mission College into instructional and service space. This study of physical facilities and use of space is organized into four support systems required for the development of college programs: instructional support system, individual support system, activity support…

Schools seem to be the logical place to serve the health needs of students, since children spend a majority of their time there. Design standards were not available for health clinics in Georgia elementary schools; therefore, this study examined key characteristics of an elementary school clinic in order to determine the importance of each design…

The Physical and Architectural Features Checklist (PAF) measures physical resources of sheltered care settings in terms of nine derived dimensions. Data show that facilities which have more physical resources are seen as attractive by outside observers and pleasant by residents. Cost is not related to any PAF dimension. (Author)

Three factors which may impact upon carrel design are cloistering, social interaction, and territory-related behaviors. Level and manner of seclusion are discussed, and related literature findings are reviewed in this report. Social interaction, both student-to-student and instructor-to-student, are surveyed and the group size factor is carefully…

Television plays an important part in the process of teaching and learning in a number of countries in the Asian Region. Although television can be used in any normal classroom, there are a few aspects of television viewing that, if considered at the design stage, will result in greater convenience. This digest sets out the main points that should…

This study examining storage space, seating space, and building modification of 36 college library buildings constructed in 1967 and 1968 reveals that space for materials is a major concern. Repossession of space used for nonlibrary functions and conversion of seating areas are suggested as solutions. Three references are cited. (EJS)

This collection of papers, nineteenth in a series of 20 documents completed by the Children's Environments Advisory Service for the International Year of the Child, 1979, reports on the proceedings of an international symposium held by The Child in the City Programme at the University of Toronto under UNESCO sponsorship, in June 1979. Delegates…

This article looks at how behavioral research can be an effective tool to use during the redesign process of university plazas. It also summarizes the research that was conducted at University Union Plaza at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), a 30-year-old plaza that is scheduled to be redesigned. Through the use of behavioral…

Discussion of theoretical considerations and practical factors relating to use of library reference service highlights factors involved in desk approachability--need, communication and promotion, physical arrangement of department, positioning (which gives the product a clear image communicating its purpose or use), psychological cost (personal…