This design case introduces a design and development process of theories from environmental psychology, humanities, and social sciences as heuristic thinking devices to measure human-centered design solutions. The pedagogical review of the traditional studio design process revealed obstacles as students translated their research and program to the…

Quality design and appropriate space organization in preschool settings can support preschool children's educational activities. Although the relationship between the well-being and development of children and physical settings has been emphasized by many early childhood researchers, there is still a need for theoretical design guidelines that are…

When the author was a boy growing up in Van Nuys, California, during the 1950s and 60s, he remembers waiting patiently by the curb so he could help his mother, who suffered from polio and was on crutches, get up on the sidewalk. The world they lived in back then certainly was not designed to meet her special needs, but a lot has changed since…

Economical design and smooth functioning of libraries require detailed preplanning before the architect begins to draw. This preplanning and coordination can be facilitated by an interior designer deft in communication skills and willing to become acquainted with library functions. Flow charts, spatial analysis, and layouts are useful tools to…

Guidelines are offered to help school carpet buyers avoid disappointments and costly selection mistakes. (Author)

Discusses new trends in school carpeting that can help add a warmer, friendlier, and less institutional look to the indoor environment, including benefits in maintaining air-quality control. Carpet-selection guidelines for educational facilities are provided. (GR)

This design brief contains general information on school design; room functions, layouts, and area interrelationships; planning procedures; and costs intended for use by design teams and school authorities when planning new schools and extensions. It covers plan development and design philosophy and presents a series of design guidance notes for…

Offers 10 tips for renovating or building school washrooms that enhance user satisfaction while making them easier to maintain. Tips cover all aspects of school washroom design and highlights the following elements of effective washroom design development: user input; ease of maintenance; accessibility; and functionality. (GR)

Provides guidelines that school administrators can use to increase student participation in cafeteria lunches. Redesigned features, employee appearances, and use of decorations are discussed, as are using prepared foods and disposable utensils to cut labor time, and marketing the cafeteria to parents to raise their perceptions. (GR)

This manual of facility guidelines examines the planning process and design features and considerations for public school fine arts programs in Maryland. Planning concepts and trends are highlighted followed by planning guidelines for dance, music, theater, visual arts, general education, and performance spaces. General design considerations…

This bulletin provides non-statutory guidance on the provision of teaching and non-teaching accommodation for nursery, primary, and secondary pupils, as well as school grounds. It is directed at the early stages of school projects when strategic decisions must be made about the buildings and site. It follows the steps that designers and school…

Discusses the facets of building design which affect the accessibility of libraries for the physically disabled and presents some basic guidelines for designing accessible libraries. Types of disabilities, questions relating to site design, and specific architectural and physical features of libraries (entranceways, lighting, stairways, and…

A school architect offers planning guidelines for utilitarian, good-looking interior environments. (Author/DN)

Discusses the impact of seven contextual variables related to counseling office environment: the initial reception, the name of the center, the color of the room, music, counselor, clothing, seating arrangements, and the room itself. Offers suggestions for improving the counseling process. (RC)

Outlines how an information company--the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)--designed a new building to house its facility. Problems and deficiencies in the old work space were analyzed using a rigorous systems approach, and an open-plan system was devised to allow for optimum space utilization and energy efficiency. (CWM)