A landscaping approach aimed at integrating greatly contrasting building types and materials resulting from unplanned growth used these elements to create design continuity; paving, planting, landscape furniture, planting and lawn protection, signs, lights, placement of posters and notices, and bicycle racks. (MSE)

High ceilings and the graceful columns supporting them are highlighted in the conversion of a hat factory into the Office of Financial Aid for New York University. Lighting and color coding of departments produce a pleasant atmosphere. (Author/MLF)

Design guidelines that help deaf and hearing impaired students communicate. (Author)

Explains that by using sustainable (green) building practices, schools and universities can make their lighting systems more efficient, noting that embracing green design principles can help schools attract students. Discusses lighting-control technologies (occupancy sensing technology, daylighting technology, and scheduling based technologies),…

The Comprehensive National Energy Policy Act of 1992 encourages energy-conservation measures and proposes matching federal energy-conservation funds with state programs to achieve energy conservation in public buildings. Presents a sampler of conservation projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, and Minnesota. (MLF)

Twelve legally blind men tested two night-vision devices: one wide-angle light and one with a high-intensity beam. The study concluded that no one night light is best for all individuals and in some cases a smaller angle, high-intensity light may be more useful than a wider angle one. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the advantages dome architecture gave to a new school technology center in Rock Port, Missouri. Advantages cover energy cost savings, lighting, storage space, aesthetics, accessibility, and convenience. (GR)

Argues that school classroom design affects learning and advocates that planners can look at students' developmental needs and the curriculum to redesign and expand classrooms to fit those needs and requirements. Different lighting effects on students are examined as are classrooms without walls and building flexibility into space design. Final…

Boulder Valley (Colorado) finds savings with an energy-management strategy that makes conservation automatic. Phase-one strategies included a complete lighting system upgrade and a computerized climate-control system. The energy program has helped the district cut monthly kilowatt consumption by 42%, and natural gas consumption has dropped 27%.…

Discusses the importance of paying attention to facility requirements when selecting windows during a school building retrofit. Facility requirements to consider include security needs, lighting, energy conservation, and ease the cost of maintenance. (GR)

Describes how the Hammond School District (Indiana) solved the problem of fitting the correct amount of space needed for students, teachers, and technology. Examines the district's solutions for furniture needs through the use of full-scale mockups of classroom arrangements; and the wiring, power needs, and lighting. (GR)

Presents a case study showing the role specialty materials and finishes play in the design of a school for autistic students. Use of incandescent lighting, muted colors and contrast, and padded flooring are examined as are classroom features and construction challenges encountered. (GR)

An experiment related to the measurement of fluorescence lifetime for an undergraduate instrumental analysis or physical chemistry laboratory that highlights relative rates of electronic transitions in molecules and introduces students to data collection of a pulsed signal is illustrated. The experiment of the long fluorescence lifetime of…

Lecture-based experimental methods that include topics ranging from basic signal processing to the proper use of thermocouples to advanced optical techniques such as laser-induced fluorescence are described. The data obtained from this demonstration could be provided to the students in digital form to obtain useful engineering results such as an…

Examples of how open-plan systems allow architects both better flexibility and greater creativity. (Author/MLF)