Good architecture responds to contemporary challenges, irrespective of fashionable trends, and is characterised by rigorous building processes. Office buildings, housing, stadiums and theatres offer outstanding examples of this principle. But do school buildings figure among them? Happily, in Germany they do, although they are still too rare. This…

There has been a tremendous increase in use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the design and construction industry. There have been numerous case studies that have documented the improvements. The majority of these improvements have focused on better coordination of design resulting in fewer Requests for Information and/or change orders.…

When one thinks of 21st century schools, one thinks of geometric modern architecture, sustainable building materials, and high-tech modular classrooms. It's rare, though, that a district has the space or the money to build that school from the ground up. Instead, the challenge for most is the transformation of the 20th century architecture to…

Every building, from the smallest school to the tallest skyscraper, uses energy. This energy is most often generated by burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Existing commercial buildings offer a significant opportunity for low-cost, immediate emissions and energy cost…

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…

Could it be that in our excitement about e-learning we forgot about buildings? With the advent of the personal computer and ubiquitous networks were we enticed into thinking that they would suffice and learning would follow removing the need for places and communities for learners? We now seem to have woken up, however, as there is an enormous…

Public education is one of the central tasks of a democratic society, and the buildings that house this important task not only shape the way one teaches, but provide icons and symbols for the values people hold common as a society. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this context has placed school buildings squarely in a position of debate and innovation…

Purpose: The paper describes the purpose of and strategies for conducting post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) as a method for assessing school building performance. Set within the larger context of global efforts to develop and apply common indicators of school building quality, the authors describe research conducted within the newest generation of…

The Educational Facilities Laboratories (EFL), an independent research organization established by the Ford Foundation, opened its doors in 1958 under the direction of Harold B. Gores, a distinguished educator. Its purpose was to help schools and colleges maximize the quality and utility of their facilities, stimulate research, and disseminate…

THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS STUDY WERE--(1) TO DETERMINE THE INFLUENCE OF MODULAR COORDINATION OF BUILDING DESIGN, (2) TO INVESTIGATE CURRENT ATTITUDES OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY TOWARD THE MODULAR CONCEPT, AND (3) TO EVALUATE THE CONCEPT'S SIGNIFICANCE, MERIT, AND IMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF SCHOOL BUILDING DESIGN. THESE OBJECTIVES WERE REALIZED BY A…

Describes the design of Americo Paredes Middle School in Austin, Texas, including educational context and design goals. Includes photographs. (EV)

Describes the prototype design for four prekindergarten schools in Spring Branch Independent School District in Texas, including educational context and design goals. Includes photographs. (EV)

Describes the design of the Agnar Pytte Center for Science Education and Research at Case Western Reserve University and the School of Law building at Gonzaga University. Discusses how their atriums serve as campus landmarks and create a welcoming sense of place. Includes photographs. (EV)

Presents a selection of winners of the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) school architecture competition. Includes a brief description, floor plan, and photographs for each winner. (EV)