This qualitative phenomenological case study investigated the role of the superintendent in the design of schools. Superintendents wear many hats, which require them to be a listener, communicator, facilitator, manager, instructional leader, and planner (Copeland, 2013). Communicating with the constituents is essential and is synonymous with the…

Highlights a new K-12 school gymnasium in Mexico that changes and reacts to weather conditions, requires no air conditioning, and, on typical days, uses sunlight filtering through its ample clerestory as the sole source of illumination. Includes numerous photographs, a section drawing, and a site plan. (GR)

Presents an interview with Steven Bingler, an expert on community-based planning and design, about the design of public schools. Topics include the contribution of architecture to student learning, mega- versus small schools, the authentic economics of design decisions, and the role of the community in the design process. (EV)

Presents an exerpt from the text and illustrations of "Building and Learning," an exhibition of the physical development of school buildings initiated to provide historical context for the "New Schools for New York" project by the Architectural League/Public Educational Association. The exerpt provides a sample of public…

The educational specifications included in this document were prepared by the Madison, Connecticut public schools for Connecticut's State Department of Education School Facilities Unit. The result of a school facilities study, the specifications were prepared to serve two purposes: first, to fulfill state requirements regarding reimbursement for…

This paper explains what universal design is and is not and discusses slides of various products and environments that embody universal design principles. The paper explains that although the term "universal design" suggests a "one size fits all" approach to designing, quite the opposite is true. Rather, universal designers…

Describes the 1989-90 "New Schools for New York" architectural study project which asked architects to create schools (via renovation or new construction) embodying flexibility, security, warmth, cost efficiency, and respect for students and teachers as individuals. The specific architectural challenges at each of the six selected sites…

The positive impact from changing the environment of a school as a way of improving the quality of education is often overlooked by educators. This book shows how to create more effective schools through a design process that involves teachers, students, parents, administrators, and architects. The design process creates school environments that…

The purpose of this manual is to suggest strategies for identifying components that must be addressed to create and develop a successful food service and nutrition facility. It focuses on the process involved in creating such facilities, and it provides an overview of the planning phase, design and construction, and educational specifications.…

This report is a comparative analysis of K-12 school planning and design criteria. A state-by-state survey was conducted to evaluate the degree of state government involvement and the differences in each state. A questionnaire sought information on funding, state planning requirements, site and building sizes, pupil/teacher ratios, building design…