Discusses the experiences of one Oklahoma school district's efforts to successfully address the expansion and renovation challenges of its highly diverse school system. Emphasizes the importance of gaining community support. (GR)

Discusses how architects and school districts can learn from the past to avoid repeating costly mistakes. Addressed are architectural fees and the importance of not severely reducing time and cost spent in design to help ensure better facility performance later. (GR)

Explores the use of a commissioning agent (CA) during school construction projects to ensure that all building systems work together and to specifications. The types of work done by a CA, the cost involved, and the overall benefits derived are outlined. (GR)

Discusses how creative planning can help schools to keep washroom traffic moving, deter vandalism, and reduce maintenance. (EV)

Examines the factors involved in purchasing school furnishings that will help ensure its long-time use, safety, and ability to resist abuse. Cost and safety factors discussed include resisting trendy colors to reduce cost in furniture matching, managing computer and office wiring for safety, considering ergonomics in the purchasing decision, and…

Discusses school building program planning for construction projects on occupied school campuses. Advice is given for choosing a general contractor, scheduling the work to limit its disruptive effects on the school community, establishing safety procedures, preparing the surrounding community for the inconveniences that construction may cause, and…

For some schools and universities--particularly private institutions--a major construction project doesn't come along frequently. When it does, administrators can find themselves facing a complex and costly enterprise, fraught with pitfalls, for which they have neither the expertise nor the time required to handle it effectively. This was the case…

Many schools have growing student enrollments that require bigger and better buildings, and evolving educational delivery methods warrant new spatial concepts that support modern teaching needs. As much as new schools stand out, a school renovation project forms the heart of most districts' facilities-improvement initiatives. School renovations…

Describes the award-winning designs of 13 campus master plans. Includes construction details and photographs. (EV)

Discusses the preconstruction planning process that can help reduce costs and minimize construction risks when building educational facilities. Factors for successful implementation of the planning process are examined. (GR)

Discusses ways of determining furniture requirements, specifications, and preferences early enough in new school planning to enhance school design. Planning for changes in the educational environment, establishing needs and expectations, budgeting, and breaking bids into multiple packages for specific school areas are explored. (GR)

Provides guidelines for making schools more energy efficient that includes the development of an architectural (usage) program; the prudent use of lighting that combines natural and artificial light augmented by interior finishes; and the use of site orientation, landscaping, and building organization. An example of one school's use of this type…

Discusses why and how K-12 schools of the future will return to the community and become more of a focal point in urban planning. How information flow and technology will decentralize the way education is delivered is explored. (GR)

Examines the school-within-a-school approach to middle-school design in creating multiple specialized learning environments for students. Discusses planning and designing these types of school environments, with emphasis on not confining or restricting students from experiencing the larger school environment's other functions and activities. (GR)

Education institutions rely heavily on good HVAC systems. Maintaining these systems can be expensive and are a significant factor in operating costs. Energy conservation is a real resource that is often overlooked. This article addresses what causes energy waste, how schools can find sources of energy waste, and how schools can improve…