Relocatable modular classrooms are valued for their flexibility, speed of occupancy, and economy. Manufacturers advise school districts to seek industry input when writing specifications for portable classrooms and to deal with reputable companies. (MLF)

A warehouse leased from the city houses five floors of music, art, science, Cleveland-area heritage, and community resources. Design for a new building is illustrated. (Author/MLF)

In addition to cost savings, modular classrooms enable school districts to respond quickly to increased enrollments. Government officials and school administrators have endorsed modular technology because of three major benefits: (1) design advantages; (2) upgrade in finishes; and (3) financing trends. (MLF)

Many changes in school facilities are likely by the year 2000. Construction of "disposable" temporary schools is a possibility, and more schools may adopt the "no school" concept, which utilizes an entire city as classrooms. New school buildings will probably more closely resemble the open-plan concept than traditional "eggcrate" schools. (JG)

Discusses the need for school buildings that are flexible and adaptable to any educational situation, rather than rigidly "self-contained" or rigidly "open." Such buildings are not tied to any educational fad that may become unfashionable, and they can accommodate many educational approaches, as well as noneducational uses. (JG)

This paper asserts that school buildings have been and continue to be places to warehouse children, and that new schools just do it in more comfortable settings. It suggests that an examination of the way most government agencies handle the business of school design and construction illustrates how the system is designed to systematically weed out…

This publication discusses the need to design school buildings that are both flexible (i.e., responsive to frequent slight changes in use) and adaptable (i.e., responsive to infrequent major changes in use) and examines three actual school buildings that illustrate different approaches to achieving building flexibility and/or adaptability. Part 1…

Modular construction of school buildings offers speed of construction, with 100 percent contractor responsibility for the completed structures. Under negotiated terms, modular projects can be purchased outright or through long-term leasing arrangements that provide ownership at the end of the lease period. (MLF)

Identified are areas to be considered in designing flexible school science facilities, such as educational philosophy and objectives, major trends, and teaching methods; also specific area considerations of site selection, spatial relationships, media and computer usage, various environmental considerations, ventilation, furniture, storage, and…

This study attempts to evaluate Toronto-area schools built using the Study of Educational Facilities (SEF) building system from the standpoint of the teachers and students who use the schools. While the SEF building system did not dictate an open-space plan, all local school boards in the Toronto area designed their SEF schools with varying…

School design is influenced by four major factors: the education program, the community site, education technology, and building technology. Schools of the future are discussed in relation to the factors affecting school design. It is probable that future schools will be involved in a broader spectrum of programs and will serve a more diverse…

Proceedings of a meeting of representatives from 13 countries on the effect of the physical environment on educational quality are summaried. Three major issues are addressed: (1) the effect of the physical environment on education; (2) successful school building characteristics; and (3) what can be done to maintain and improve the quality of…

Describes the 1989-90 "New Schools for New York" architectural study project which asked architects to create schools (via renovation or new construction) embodying flexibility, security, warmth, cost efficiency, and respect for students and teachers as individuals. The specific architectural challenges at each of the six selected sites…

The development of adaptable and flexible educational buildings and facilities to support changes in educational systems is the subject of this report. A summary of a seminar sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) comprises the first part of this report. Issues discussed include the nature of change and…

This booklet is the fourth in a series that examines community school centers. The development and substance of the building program, issues related to site selection and development, and overall building design strategies are examined. Also discussed are particularly important design details about which the programming committee and the architect…