The sensation of thermal comfort is determined by a combination of air temperature, humidity of the air, rate of movement of the air, and radiant heat. This digest is intended to assist architects to design educational facilities that are as thermally comfortable as is possible without recourse to mechanical air conditioning. A nomogram is…

The paper argues that existing computer programs for thermal predictions do not produce suitable information for architects, particularly at the early stages of design. It reviews the important building features that determine the thermal environment and the need for heating and cooling plant. Graphical design aids are proposed, with examples to…

The design and effectiveness of a number of government/industry active solar demonstration projects. (Author/MLF)

Gund Hall, the home of Harvard's graduate school of design, was born in turmoil and continues to generate controversy. (Author/MLF)

Explores research needs in urban design. Presents models for research design. (MA)

Social, psychological, and physiological factors all impinge on the awareness of the handicapped, the elderly, and the rest of us in experiencing architecture. (Author)

Article stresses the effect of physical environment on a conference's success or failure. Further research into what constitutes the best setting and how to achieve it is urged. More study is also needed of how individuals at conferences interact with each other and with the physical setting. (PD)

The Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering at the University of Minnesota is constructing a building that will be 95 percent underground. (Author/MLF)

Examines the status of postoccupancy evaluation, which is the study of the effectiveness of designed environments for their human users. Issues addressed include generality, breadth of focus, applicability, sponsorship, methodology, and future directions. (WB)

This article focuses on the future physical layout of the university in view of the profound social and cultural changes of our time that are affecting the structure of higher education in general and universities in particular. We suggest that the basic architectural prototypes of university design should be re-examined in view of these changes.…

This paper investigates the special considerations in defining an acoustical environment acceptable for educational purposes. Reviews various approaches for anticipating the degree of dissatisfaction or annoyance in school spaces, including statistical distributions of class noise, and deals with some design recommendations. (Author/MLF)

Tornadoes and extreme winds cause heavy loss of life and property damage throughout the United States. Most buildings offer significant protection from this danger, and building administrators should know the areas where this protection is available. This booklet presents a review of three schools, all of which were struck by tornadoes on April 3,…

Two beams forming part of the roof over the swimming pool at the school collapsed. The investigation showed that the cause of the failure was loss of strength due to conversion of high alumina cement concrete followed by sulphate attack leading to disruption of the concrete. The degree of conversion and loss of strength was greater than expected…

Building systems can be traced back to a 1516 A.D. project by Leonardo da Vinci and to a variety of prefabrication projects in every succeeding century. When integrated into large and repetitive spatial units through careful design, building systems can produce an architecture of the first order, as evidenced in the award winning design of…

Following recent tornadoes, terms of specially trained architectural and engineering faculty conducted onsite examinations and research of building damage. It was concluded that tornado damage to buildings is predictable. A trained architect or engineer can establish, before a tornado strikes, those portions of the building that will offer the…