Owners of public building projects are increasingly turning to Interdisciplinary Coordination and Constructibility Reviews prior to going out to bid. The ICCR is a methodical quality-assurance process designed to make building projects more cost effective, constructible, and of better quality. This article describes the Preconstruction ICCR…

Details the design of a distance-learning facility through analysis of its functions, paper-handling requirements, and current and future communications-technology needs. It also lists special features the facility should have, including up-to-date wiring capacities for telecommunications, uplink and downlink capabilities to satellites, and…

The reviewed book summarizes successful school designs and recommends directions for planning of new school buildings, both large and small. Criticisms of the book include an introduction that predicts future trends; a critical tone toward teachers and certain aspects of education; limited information on certain topics such as portable buildings…

Provides considerations for educational facility lighting designs that support student learning while controlling costs. Lighting design decision factors include the types of classroom activities involved, the importance of properly using artificial and indirect lighting, the importance of color rendering, the positioning of windows and skylights,…

Discusses three predominant themes encountered by facilities managers and architects when planning and designing educational facilities: flexibility requirements, fiscal pressure, and community focus. (EV)

Describes the design of the DeKalb Alternative School in Atlanta, Georgia, located in a renovated shopping center. Purchasing commercial land and renovating the existing building saved the school system time and money. (EV)

Describes the award-winning building design of the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis. The design had to meet the institution's varying functions as a school for deaf children, scientific research facility, place offering clinical services, and professional education department of speech and hearing. Includes photographs. (EV)

Explains how one North Carolina school district was able to pass high-dollar bond issues for school construction. Discusses the planning and bidding processes, and the district's philosophy towards incorporating innovative changes in design and equipment. (GR)

Presents an example of one school's solution to space needs for handling play and practice times for its multiple sports teams. Explains the school's planning efforts towards agreeing to, then gaining public support for, a major renovation project. (GR)

A three-dimensional model of a school site helps educators visualize a schoolyard project, assess the site, try out design ideas, and generate enthusiasm among school staff, students, and the public. Presents instructions for creating a model that include gathering data (determining current characteristics, taking biodiversity inventories, and…

Every month, "Leadership" features articles written in an informal, conversational style that provide practical information for school administrators. This issue of "Leadership" contains the following articles: (1) "'Sorta Dumb' Beliefs Fail 65% of Students" (George Manthey); (2) "A Solid Foundation in School…

Like their baby-boomer parents, the echo-boom generation is reshaping the college and university landscape. At 80 million strong, this group of children and young adults born between 1980 and 1995 now is flooding the college and university system, spurring a college building boom. According to Campus Space Crunch, a Hillier Architecture survey of…

How much does a school cost? It's a straightforward question, but the answer for many education administrators is a frustrating, "It depends." The cost of a school facility surely includes what an education institution pays for the building site, design plans, construction materials, workers who assemble the building, and furniture and equipment…

In today"s economy, public university administrators need to reflect on current practices for reporting and projecting space requirements to government entities as the cost of constructing new facilities or renovating space rises while income from legislative appropriations diminishes. As stewards of public buildings and funds, institutions…

Guidelines for playground equipment safety are presented in this handbook. It first provides an overview of common playground injuries and definitions. The layout and design of playgrounds, such as choosing a site, locating equipment, and separating equipment by age level, is addressed next. The remaining sections describe the installation and…