This article is part of a series that has offered insight on planning a facilities project, hiring professionals, delivery system options and owner's responsibilities. In this article, the author focuses on some of the planning and design concepts one may be asked to consider in providing direction to his design and construction team. These…

The Downtown Education Center, now under construction in Omaha, Nebraska, will house most of the off-campus courses of the University of Nebraska in Omaha, as well as state agencies and a community college. (Author/MLF)

Gives directions for the design and construction of a portable sound booth. (CMV)

Designing fire protection into a building is complex; it requires effective coverage, an economical installation, and compliance with many regulations. (Author)

Notes that economic and service factors may dictate that special fire protection measures be given to computer rooms. The discussion covers emergency planning, various types of fire detection and suppression systems, and future options, with particular attention to halon and possible halon replacements. A list of suggested readings is provided.…

The National Humanities Center in North Carolina has individual studies that provide absolute privacy for each scholar, and a commons, with lounges and a dining room, placed to encourage interaction. (Author/MLF)

An AIA Honor Award was given for the Pembroke Dormitories at Brown University. The dormitories, said the jury, are an "outstanding example of weaving an institution into the urban fabric." (Author/MLF)

The Legal Research Center for Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, was designed to allow existing facilities to dominate, to continue a linear development of a steep nonlinear site, and to connect gracefully to adjacent buildings. (Author/MLF)

Describes the damage and salvage efforts resulting from the burning of the Los Angeles Central Library in 1986, and makes several recommendations for fire and arson prevention measures and contingency salvage plans. (CLB)

A Pennsylvania school district faced an immediate need for additional classroom space at a high school. In seven months, a module containing four relocatable classrooms was installed and is considered an attractive addition to the school campus. (MLF)

Provides guidelines to follow in drawing up a contract with a school architect. Once the architect has been selected, a clear definition of mutual expectations and schedules must be outlined and documented in the contract. (TE)

School districts seeking an architect should know what they want, open up the selection process, decide on the importance of prior school-design experience, require a screening procedure with a standardized questionnaire, meet the project manager, make site visits, and probe deeply before signing contracts. (MLH)

Claims that almost none of the preschool design literature bridges the interest and technical concern of architects and education professionals. Offers design suggestions for classrooms, outdoor spaces, shared spaces, offices, teachers' space, and a place for parents. Discusses general design issues such as textures and colors, materials, security…

Going through the building process could take up to five years--five of the toughest and most satisfying years of an administrator's career. In going through this process, one can learn a great deal about the community and staff involved, and about onself. But even when the building project is completed, there is still work to be done: now is the…

Provides step-by-step instructions on how to choose a design consultant for developing building renovation or new building plans. Includes a sample interview form and a sample group evaluation form. (MD)