Earth berms, a heavily insulated roof, and a narrow band of thermal pane windows, save energy at the administrative headquarters of the Anoka Hennepin school district in Coon Rapids, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Author/MLF)

A projected learning center in an urban area will be a transitional home, part of an evolving effort to "de-institutionalize" the living environment of the blind and train them to become self-sufficient enough to lead normal lives. (Author/MLF)

A massive concrete "waffle," riding on a bed of specially treated gravel and sand inside another building, provides the structural rigidity needed by the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics. (Author)

Underground construction at Columbia University merges two libraries--the Avery architectural library and the fine arts collection--and adds an auditorium, plus exhibition and reception space. (Author/MLF)

Begins with an overview of the basic principles of light and light sources currently utilized in building design. Case studies of several successfully lit library buildings are presented and specific recommendations for the various functional requirements of a library are provided. (15 references) (MES)

Evaluation of Play Unit for the Severely Handicaped (PUSH) designed for the living room of a residential area used by 16 severely retarded multiply handicapped persons revealed that the impact of the unit was individualized and diverse, and that the responsiveness of the environemt's components appeared to be important. (CL)

No one today is surprised at constantly increasing costs of building, but this year's $39.22 per square foot is such a large increase over 1975 ($34.16) that one cannot but wonder how long such increases can continue. (Author)

The Chula Vista Public Library exemplifies the success of the completely planned library, with each and every element specified before construction begins. In contrast, the Penrose Library at the University of Denver is a triumph of a diametrically different approach: phased construction. (Author)

Describes the design of the gymnasium of York (South Carolina) Comprehensive High School, a circular 12,000 square foot structure with a prefabricated domed roof constructed of steel hubs and curved wooden beams. (JG)

This paper discusses environmental preference, particularly related to the design of children's museums. It explains that preference for an environment leads to motivation to interact with the environment, which leads to learning. It lays out several design principles: (1) involve children in the process of children's museum design in a way that…

A part of San Bernardino's larger redevelopment plan, the new City Hall has helped revitalize the downtown core. The solar bronze glass-surfaced structure, called a 6-story street, is the shape of the street which was closed to form the site. (Author/MF)

Specially designed and equipped to train special education teachers and to accommodate people with special disabilities, Thorndike Hall in Columbia University Teacher College, is the only academic center in the U.S. to bring the entire range of education for the handicapped under one roof. (Author)

Describes technical specifications required in designing theatre spaces for high intelligibility of speech. (CH)

Discusses differe nces between "soft" and "hard" conversion to metrication; what benefits or problems might be expected; the role of engineering standards; the role of modular precoordination as an adjunct to engineering standards; and how metrication might be turned to advantage for the users of buildings. (A paper presented at Building Research…

Attempts to respond to questions about the possible harmful effects of "unplanned" and/or "soft" conversion to the metric system. (A paper presented at Building Research Institute conference, Washington, D.C., November 27, 1973.) (Author/MLF)