Strategic planning is an important tool, but the sole dependence on it across departments and campuses has resulted in the underutilization of equally important methods of analysis. The evolution of higher and postsecondary education necessitates a systemic industry analysis, as the combination of new providers and delivery mechanisms and changing…

Schools and universities throughout the United States now appear to be embracing green roofs as one of many environmentally friendly initiatives. However, once a green roof is in place, school managers soon realize they are not the same as typical landscaping. Although they tend to be relatively low-maintenance, the location and highly specialized…

This paper reports on a literature review conducted in the UK for the Design Council and CfBT (Higgins et al., 2005) which looked at the evidence of the impact of environments on learning in schools. We have reviewed the available evidence regarding different facets of the physical environment and provided an analysis based on different areas of…

In many communities, schools are among the largest facilities and house the highest concentrations of daytime population. They create a huge demand for water. Even in regions with abundant water supplies, an increase in demand stresses local capacity, and water becomes more expensive. However, with the help of innovative products that reduce water…

The "Talking Stick" is published bimonthly, six times a year in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December by the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Each issue is divided into three sections: Features, Columns, and Departments. These sections contain…

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…

Schools and universities recognize that many of the people and neighborhoods they serve expect education institutions to embrace environmental stewardship and sustainable design. Standards such as the LEED-registered facility program, managed by the U.S. Green Building Council, are receiving more attention. Schools can demonstrate their commitment…

In an effort to completely transform both teaching spaces and pedagogical orientation, a multi-stage project that tied professional development efforts for faculty and administrators to a redesign of existing classroom facilities was initiated. The goal was to simultaneously transform learning and spaces for learning in order to change the…

Heat recovery systems are operating successfully in climates ranging from that of Florida to those of Michigan and New Jersey. (Author/MLF)

Excellence and economy rarely go hand in hand. Campbell County, Virginia, however, recently completed a new elementary school that set cost control records and is functional, attractive, and innovative. Describes the school. (Author/JF)

Building designers need to take an active interest in solving problems resulting from poor design or poor selection of equipment and materials. The most troublesome and repetitive problems found at Columbia University are listed along with directives for correction. (Author/MLF)

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…

PROVIDING A COMMON GROUND OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN EDUCATOR AND ARCHITECT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS IS THE GOAL OF THIS REPORT. CLOSING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY DISCUSSING EDUCATIONAL INNOVATIONS. ABANDONMENT OF THE TRADITIONAL PUPIL-TEACHER RATIO FORMULA IN FAVOR OF VARYING GROUP SIZES IS SUGGESTED AS A…

Development of a design for a new elementary school facility is traced through evaluation of various innovative facilities. Significant features include--(1) the spiral plan form, (2) centralized core levels including teacher work center, "perception" core, and interior stream aquariam, (3) the learning laboratory classroom suites, (4) a unique…