The experience of an urban waterfront setting can enhance sociocultural education for children, facilitate development of mental and physiological skills, and can function as a playground. The designs of waterfront environments should therefore consider children's needs and enhance both the interaction of children with their environment and…

The information on the establishment and management of a school microcomputer laboratory that is provided in this paper emphasizes ways in which use of the facility by students can be maximized, and is intended for use by other districts that have or are establishing computer labs in their buildings. The Lancaster (Ohio) City Schools serves as a…

Intended to assist educators and trainers who must make recommendations about facilities to architects and school authorities, this ERIC information analysis project summarizes research on the design of both classrooms and individualized learning spaces that will optimize learning. Six teaching/learning space topics are considered: (1) light and…

Contains a selected and annotated listing of source material concerning the thermal environment in school facilities. It is directed toward the school planner, architect, or administrator concerned with developing a more functional classroom environment. Topical coverage includes--(1) The Thermal Environment and Learning, (2) Physiological Factors…

As a comprehensive reference source on carpeting usage in schools, this selected and annotated bibliography is divided into five subject areas. The subject areas covered are as follows--(1) facility case studies of carpeted learning environments gives an insight into actual situations along with the accompanying feed-back results and experiences…

Abstracts and descriptor terms are presented for 26 selected references with safety orientation. Included in addition to several general planning handbooks are topics related to--(1) stairways, (2) air structures, (3) site planning, (4) lighting, (5) bidding practice, (6) physically handicapped, (7) laboratory design, (8) mobile classrooms, (9)…

This study was commissioned by the American Institute of Architects because of a widespread feeling that education for environmental design must change. The purpose of this study is to focus and give direction to the many changes that are taking place in environmental design education today. Emerging from the study was a process for planning and…

Use of computer keyboards requires repetitive movements that may cause "overuse injuries" among students. Education on computer literacy must include warning of these negative side effects and must instill safe operating habits among students. (10 references) (CJH)

This draft standard developed by the Classroom Acoustics Working Group provides acoustical performance criteria and accompanying design guidelines intended to ensure good speech communication among students and teachers in learning spaces. To ensure the noise limits are not exceeded, adequate sound isolation between classrooms and adjacent spaces…

Intrinsically safe design is presented as a logical extension of the principles of barrier free design, and as a higher level design strategy for effecting widespread implementation of the basic accessibility requirements for people with disabilities. Two fundamental planning procedures are proposed: including principles of safe and accessible…

The current emphasis on energy conservation in buildings must be balanced by a careful consideration of how proposed approaches affect building occupants. A headlong rush toward building designs that conserve energy at the expense of the quality of buildings as judged by occupants would be a very shortsighted approach. There must be a continual…

The results of a project undertaken to assist the Office of Facilities of the State University of New York in the development of design and planning criteria for "learning spaces" with particular emphasis on the considerations for seating, lighting and acoustics. The learning spaces referred to are classified as large group instructional…

Guidelines are set down for school administrators, architects, board members, and others responsible for the planning, design, and construction of administrative facilities for the schools of their districts. The need for carefully planned, functional school administration centers is evident. This publication will assist communities of people to…

Flooring for institutional, commercial, and industrial use is described with regard to its selection, care, and maintenance. The following flooring and subflooring material categories are discussed--(1) resilient floor coverings, (2) carpeting, (3) masonry floors, (4) wood floors, and (5) "formed-in-place floors". The properties, problems,…

A study of the relationship between the behavior of preschool children (3-5-year age group) and the physical near environment has been initiated at Cornell. The illumination and sound levels, color, equipment, and spatial configurations in a nursery school room are to be varied, and systematic observational records will be kept of the level of…