The office environment 10 years from now will be different from the one today. More office personnel will be organized around processes rather than functions. More work activities will be done by teams rather than individuals, and those teams will change over time, as will the nature of the work projects and the people who constitute the team. The…

Examines telecommunications equipment room design features that allow for growth and can accommodate numerous equipment replacements and upgrades with minimal service disruption and with minimal cost. Considerations involving the central hub, power and lighting needs, air conditioning, and fire protection are discussed. (GR)

Discusses school design trends for K-12 public schools focusing on such issues as school size, interdisciplinary learning, team teaching, and less rigid classroom structure and more independence for students. Strategies and questions to consider for achieving design goals for the future are highlighted, including classroom shapes for elementary…

A well-written school design contract can protect both the school board and the architect. The language of the "Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect," provided by the American Institute of Architects, can be expanded to include terms written specifically for the owner's protection. (MLF)

Examines the changing trends in organization, and school and class size designed to improve student learning and achievement. Discusses rising trends in public school enrollment rates and the cost of new schools needed to accommodate these numbers. (GR)

Several methods for formulating secondary school capacity are outlined. Consideration of the relationship between educational program and pupil capacity is emphasized. (MD)

Descriptions, photographs, and the jury's comments on the award-winning architectural projects displayed at the 65th annual meeting of the Association of School Business Officials. Twelve projects are featured in the categories of new school buildings, modernization of existing buildings, and additions to existing buildings. (Author/MLF)

Conflict often occurs between architects and superintendents during the school building process. Expanding the "Standard Form of Agreement between Owner and Architect, "provided by the American Institute of Architects, to include terms written specifically for the protection of the owner can help resolve such conflict. (MLF)

Conflicts between superintendents and architects about planning school facilities can be avoided by written educational specifications and an understanding that preliminary cost estimates are not binding. However, the owner may impose a fixed budget limitation that is legally binding if all parties agree in writing. (MLF)

Describes how school boards and administrators can use a facility-planning symposium, which brings together educators, students, parents, business leaders, and others, to establish an educational program and to design a template representative of the community. Examines ways to construct a shared vision and looks at design issues. (RJM)

Discusses the impact current educational reforms and new teaching styles are having on school design and the themes and trends that are emerging in designs for 2001. Design themes discussed are prototype schools, multistory elementary schools, learning environments and extended learning areas, and vocational education integration. (GR)

Chief executive officers of school districts and facility planners must assume the role of change agent to meet the information needs of the 21st century. Public school learning, which will serve more groupings of people on a continual basis, will be disseminated through media learning centers. Management should follow six steps in planning…