This special report on library facilities and furnishings focuses on restoration and renovation. Areas discussed include the status of the Carnegie libraries, the earthquake protection design of the new Alameda County (California) library, a successful effort to restore a historic library in Franklin, Massachusetts, and function and beauty in…

The author describes the office of today with its word processing equipment and open landscape design, emphasizing cost reductions. In describing "the office of the future" she focuses on design, technology, telecommunications, filing, and procedures. Educational needs for the future office functions are noted. (MF)

Examines the workings of a children's residential treatment environment in order to gain new insight into residential treatment in general. Areas studied include: children's responses to crowding or to isolation; use of open areas; personalization of life space; spatial territoriality; and environmental accommodation. (BF)

The Anaheim Union High School District in California purchased a retail-selling market, with three acres under one roof, and converted it into a high school and district administrative headquarters. (Author/MF)

This paper describes the psychology laboratory at Nebraska Wesleyan University and the efforts of the small department which participated in the design and development process. The lab consists of 26 rooms, mostly small cubicles, and covers approximately 3,800 square feet. Each area of the lab is described in terms of its design and function.…

Discussion of problems and mistakes made in library facility planning highlights overemphasis of dramatic architectural elements; communications between architects and librarians; who is in charge of planning process; lighting (effect of library shelving, appropriate location of light switches); setting a schedule; furniture and equipment; and the…

This article describes the Media and Technology Charter High School (MATCH) in Boston, MA. MATCH had the highest overall pass rate of any comparable Boston high school: 89 percent of the class of 2005 passed both the English and math MCAS. That's not only 37 points higher than the Boston district average; it is 14 points better than the statewide…

Teachers and administrators who are faced with the prospect of a new educational approach, or a new or renovated facility, feel the need to observe a living educational environment offering creative learning approaches, as well as the "newest" in furniture and equipment. A Brooklyn open plan elementary school converted from an old synagogue…

Examines the benefits of the Z-shaped science lab classroom configuration as a means of learning enhancement. Each section of the classroom is illustrated and described. Also discusses construction and cost considerations. (GR)

The failure of the "open classroom" concept of the 1960's has not diminished the need for researchers to continue to look at learning and teaching to better understand how educational spaces can be improved for everyone that uses them. This document summarizes presentations made at the 1997 American Institute of Architects (AIA)…

A school construction guide offers key personnel in school development projects information on the complex task of master planning and construction of schools in Australia. This chapter of the guide provides advice on issues involving school space design and the kinds of spaces required in schools, including lecture spaces and seminar rooms,…

The formulation of a design for a library reference desk is discussed, basic planning considerations, height, and measurements of the desk, lighting and chairs, placement of the desk, prebuilt components, and evaluation. A six-item bibliography is included. (EJS)

Reviews literature to form a folklore of information workspace and emphasizes the importance of studying folklore of information work environments in the context of the current shift toward removing work from any particular place via information systems, e-mail, and the Web. Discusses trends in workplace design and corporate culture. Contains 84…

The domain of interiors constitutes a point of tension between practicing architects and interior designers. Design of interior spaces is a significant part of architectural profession. Yet, to what extent does architectural education keep pace with changing demands in rendering topics that are identified as pertinent to the design of interiors?…

A study of the social environment in special schools for the deaf is reported in this publication. The problem was to deinstitutionalize the dormitory environment, and to stimulate an involvement in the surroundings and a sense of personal pride in the children. Research was carried out at the Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville, with a group…