This article invites teachers to let their students' imaginations soar as they become part of a team that will design a whole new kind of living technological museum, a facility that celebrates the world of infrastructure. In this activity, a new two-story building will be built, occupying a vacant corner parcel of land, approximately 150…

Doors serve a variety of needs and purposes in schools: (1) Exterior doors provide building security and protection from the elements; and (2) Interior doors control the movement of people among school spaces, help control noise and air flow, and act as flame and smoke barriers during a fire. In a lockdown, they serve as safety barriers. From a…

Staten Island's Wagner College has opened a student union that provides dining, working and playing areas for all segments of Wagner's population. (Author)

This self-assessment guide is designed to assist members of fiscal policy teams in assessing current district standards and practices in the area of school facility planning and construction in relation to the total educational program. Arranged to complement the components of a long-range master plan, the guide is divided into nine parts: (1)…

In the introduction or expansion of art facilities in individual schools, there is a general movement away from the single, multipurpose art room concept. More consideration is being given to the variety of functions that the area must accommodate, adequate working space, separate storage areas, and more display facilities. This booklet contains…

Discusses some of the most important structural features found in modern chemical laboratories, including building shapes, floor plans, and window utilization. (MLH)

Outlines how an information company--the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)--designed a new building to house its facility. Problems and deficiencies in the old work space were analyzed using a rigorous systems approach, and an open-plan system was devised to allow for optimum space utilization and energy efficiency. (CWM)

The number of school fires is up nationwide. This article describes unsafe school conditions, problems with new fire codes, and the factors that contribute to school fires. Installation of sprinkler systems is recommended. A fire-safety checklist is included. (LMI)

At the request of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) has conducted "a literature search and review to identify best practices in [school] building design for accommodating the evacuation and sheltering needs of individuals with special needs or…

With school enrollments fluctuating, educational administrators need to do a more thorough job of planning for future educational facilities. Educational specifications can provide a helpful planning foundation for the educator and the architect. The specifications should provide specific objectives that consider the teaching/learning process to…

Discusses issues to be considered in planning a library that will anticipate the needs of the future. Power and telecommunications capacity are stressed, and a checklist of items requiring specific writing services is included. Recommendations for workstation design and structural elements are offered. (MES)

Contains contributions by seven library building consultants on designing a forgiving building, i.e., a building that can be modified easily and inexpensively to meet new conditions. Topics include (1) small library design; (2) academic library design; (3) adapting libraries to current and future needs; (4) designing space; (5) the changing…

New energy-responsible buildings will not only use less energy, but will be more comfortable, more closely attuned to nature, and will create a better learning and living environment. The most cost-effective planning decisions have to do with good passive solar design and sensible operations. (MLW)

The new Civil/Mineral Engineering Building on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus is a demonstration design in energy conservation and innovation in active and passive solar energy applications. Its antecedents at the university represent contributory steps in the identification of issues and the development of design principles. (MLW)

Evaluating educational facilities requires utilizing an effective assessment process. The five key components of space adequacy are scheduling efficiency, design efficiency, technical capacity, practical capacity, site capacity, and suitability. Assessment of the physical adequacy of school building should explore the following areas:…