Discusses how to develop confident budgets for school facilities construction at the master planning stage with limited information. (EV)

Successful school construction projects require careful planning. School boards and administrators should consider architectural firms and contracts carefully. Reduce costs by hiring subcontractors, requiring documentation for proposed changes, negotiating frequent site visits by architect, organizing board subcommittee to review work, and…

Presents the seventh installment in a series of articles that examine the expansion and renovation of Longview Community College's Liberal Arts Building in Kansas City, Missouri. This article presents four building options as well as design modifications and their cost implications. (GR)

Microcomputers can help in estimating educational construction costs by setting up a database of construction history and by answering "what if" questions. A specific source of information on construction estimating software is the weekly "Engineering News Record." (MLF)

This document is intended to be a "cookbook" of the numerous elements which collectively influence the cost containment of school construction projects. Each element is meant to indicate an action in the process that the school district should pay attention to and ensure is properly accomplished. The elements influencing cost containment are…

Presents comparative regional data on school construction activities and costs for 1998 and 1999 projections. Regional data include profiles of new buildings expected to be completed in 1999, college construction completed and projected for starting in 1999, and the types of residence-hall amenities and the percentages of how often they are found.…

Sprinklers can protect school buildings, save lives, and actually reduce construction costs. Sprinkler-system costs can be easily offset by insurance savings, as well as by specific alternatives or design options permitted by nationally recognized building codes in view of the superior protection that sprinklers provide. (MLF)

Discusses how architects and school districts can learn from the past to avoid repeating costly mistakes. Addressed are architectural fees and the importance of not severely reducing time and cost spent in design to help ensure better facility performance later. (GR)

Describes this Michigan high school building, including the educational context and design goals. Includes information on the architects, manufacturers/suppliers, and construction team; extended product information; a general building description; and a case study of construction costs and specifications. Also includes the floor plan and…

Describes the design of Stoney Creek High School in Rochester, Michigan, including the educational context, design goals, and probable use of the designs for two other high schools. Includes information on size, construction costs, architects, contractors, and suppliers. Also includes photographs. (EV)

School construction overruns and other disappointments usually stem from inadequate planning, mismanagement, and inexperienced individuals. This article shows how to compute "ballpark" estimates based on a district's unique planning requirements for curriculum, scheduling, and class sizes; screen firms' and individuals' qualifications;…

School construction has been increasing significantly over the last eight years. However, more money is being spent on adding to and retrofitting existing buildings than on constructing new schools. This trend is expected to continue because of increasing enrollments, deteriorating buildings, programs that require more space, and the influence of…

Discusses the preconstruction planning process that can help reduce costs and minimize construction risks when building educational facilities. Factors for successful implementation of the planning process are examined. (GR)

Describes how two school districts--one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the other in Yorktown, Virginia--involved their communities in a school building and renovation planning process called discovery through viewpoint and diagram (DVD). (PKP)

This document presents a complete list of school construction projects, as of 1972, so that designers, educators, and interested citizens can visit or otherwise be aware of particular efforts in their district and elsewhere in North Carolina. Elementary, Middle, and High School buildings are included. Each offering provides the floor plan,…