This paper examines four key elements in the designing-for-all-children concept for school environments. Designing-for-all-children designs acknowledge that children pass through differing, yet recognizable, stages of development; and that children need usable environments free from physical and social barriers. Key elements address equitable use,…

Describes spatial, pedagogical, and psychological dimensions of the pottery studio as an art learning environment. Contends that the art learning environment, at its deeper levels, is determined by the philosophic meanings and underlying attitudes of student and instructor as conveyed in their speech and writing. (RM)

Presented as a conversation between a teacher and engineer about school design, addresses educators' preferences and engineers' perspectives on issues, such as windows, sustainable design, sinks, acoustics, and natural ventilation. (EV)

Presents the opinions of five school design and construction experts on the future of school facility design and use. Issues discussed involve changes in classroom size, school facilities doubling as community-use buildings, emphasis on life cycle costing on construction projects, the future of modular school buildings, and the possibility of…

This speech discusses computer lab/classrooms and the issue of properly combining space, pedagogy, and technology when facility planning to better enhance student learning and support the teaching process. Several case studies illustrate classroom computer workstation configurations and how these may help or impede student learning and…

Reviews some of the most relevant research regarding classroom design, draws from this research a number of principles for the design and management of classroom space, and discusses issues that need to be examined with respect to the effective use of the physical environment in instruction. Forty-two references are listed. (Author/CHC)

From her study of traditional and open-plan British infant schools, the author shows how school buildings and playgrounds can express social and educational principles by controlling freedom of access; the destruction of defenses by open plan architecture being countered, on occasion, by creation of new defenses by teachers. (Editor/SJL)

Argues that Catholic schools need to consider what makes a school Catholic when confronting issues of architectural design. Addresses differences in needs between elementary, middle, and high schools, and offers a case study that illustrates a successfully designed urban Catholic high school. (NB)

Examines the size of child-care-center spaces as a factor for designing developmentally appropriate facilities. Explores a range of architectural and design issues related to the size of spaces and ways of subdividing rooms to provide opportunities for small-group, quiet activities that are important to quality child care. (AA)