In this article, the author suggests a classroom challenge that will engage students in designing a house on the hill. He suggests teachers ask a local builder to come to the school to discuss the kinds of concerns that must be dealt with when building homes in cold environments. The use of dioramas and cardboard scale models would be very useful…

In response to the fast growing prominence of windowless buildings due to potential or possible aesthetic, psychological, and economic advantages, this article was written to discuss--(1) effects of windowless construction on the life safety of building occupants, (2) the possible extents of fire damage to the building and its contents, and (3)…

Current activity intended to lead to energy conservation measures in building codes and standards is reviewed by members of the Office of Building Standards and Codes Services of the National Bureau of Standards. For journal availability see HE 508 931. (LBH)

An international congress was devoted to a contemporary examination of the existing relation between building costs and building quality and of possible ways of influencing this relation positively. Key-note papers by members of CIB and of other international organizations discussed the following topics--(1) human requirements of buildings, (2)…

Discusses the special information needs of the building industry, attributes of existing expert systems that support building design and construction, and current research to further develop the application of expert systems to this area. An annotated listing of related expert system developments is appended. (49 references) (CLB)

Minnesota's bookstore is housed in an award-winning underground building designed to save energy and space while providing scenery. It includes vaulted ceilings, slanted windows, a recessed courtyard, platforms, mezzanines, and plants growing in bookcases. A solar energy unit supported by a federal grant is incorporated in the design. (LBH)

A record and assessment of the important environmental features of office buildings erected between 1948 and 1961 in the business center of London, England, has been assembled. This survey gives an overall picture of the main trends in office building and architecture and examines their consequences in terms of user satisfactions and complaints.…

In view of the cost of structural framing for school buildings, ten steel-framed schools are examined to review the economical advantages of steel for school construction. These schools do not resemble each other in size, shape, arrangement or unit cost; some are original in concept and architecture, and others are conservative. Cost and…

In architecture courses, the bridging of design learning and construction is a constant challenge for educators. When designing the construction details of a building, students lack the field/site experience of the construction process and an understanding of the problems and solutions associated with erecting a building. The degree of…

Third party management of the development and facilities delivery process is a response to trends in the design, construction, and legal industries. Changes in the process and the architect's organization, the role of the project manager, drawbacks to third party management, and the relevance for educational construction projects are discussed.…

The testing plans, procedures, and results of an experiment are revealed concerning the thermal performance and variable factors of unvented double windows, their heat transmission and inner surface temperature. Data are given to help improve the design and development of standards for the thermal performance of windows. Building humidity, window…

Introducing architectural concepts to children is a relatively new area of the curriculum for schools, whether elementary schools or high schools. The use of picture books and creative dramatics to encourage children to think about architecture is explored. In a few hours, a fourth-grade class considered the destruction and rebuilding of a…

This curriculum guide provides high school carpentry, construction, or drafting course teachers with material related to retrofitting a building for energy conservation. Section 1 discusses how design and construction methods affect energy use. Section 2 focuses on care and maintenance of energy efficient buildings. In addition to informative…

Guidelines for planning, building, and equipping the biological and chemical laboratory are revealed, along with construction methods for the modernization or building of new academic or industrial type laboratories. Building equipment, services, utilities, and materials data are given with rules concerning the dimensions and services of…

Solar heat gains (radiation) and its effects on the building environment are discussed, in conjunction with the proper and improper use of large glass areas in the exterior walls of buildings in North America. The difficulties of solar heat gain and of controlling natural light and glare are outlined and said to influence building comfort and air…