Describes the upgraded design of Canisius College's Lyons Hall, Buffalo, New York, from an academic building to a more inclusive facility containing necessary administrative functions. Before and after photos are included. (GR)

Traces the master planning efforts for expanding the campus of Prairie View A & M University in Houston, Texas, through to the year 2015. The plan's framework for growth includes significantly enhancing student campus life by building privatized housing and providing improvements and enhancements for future off-campus extensions. (GR)

Describes the architectural planning for a new engineering and science building at the University of Texas-Pan American (Edinburg) where the campus design (Louis Kahn architectural concept) emphasizes an extensive and expressive use of brick and strongly geometric forms. How the new building retained the flavor of the old campus design while…

Presents descriptions and photographs of school landscaping design winners for the 2001 American School and University Architectural Portfolio Contest. Included are each project's vital statistics, the architectural firm involved, and a list of designers. (GR)

Presents a detailed case for smaller schools in providing a better learning environment; explains what a small school is and discusses the extent to which some districts are embracing small-school programs. (GR)

Each month "American School & University" provides a mix of thought-provoking features, how-to-articles, industry reports, exclusive surveys, new sections, insightful columns, new product introductions and case histories to assist education officials in better performing their jobs. This April 2004 issue includes the following: "Lifelong Learning"…

Why is the physical learning environment in schools largely ignored by teachers within pedagogical practice? The cellular classroom has remained seemingly immutable since the Industrial Revolution, with spatiality playing a silent and subconscious role in schooling other than related to concerns around surveillance. Previous studies have shown…

The seminar on "Creating 21st Century Learning Environments" was organized by the United Kingdom's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the OECD Program on Educational Building (PEB). The seminar was posed as a networked learning experience with professionals from throughout the world presenting their accomplishments and…

This article looks at ways in which schools buildings designed for today and tomorrow can provide superior environments for learning by keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies that have redefined the educational landscape. Wireless classrooms, data projectors and wall-mounted plasma monitors are cited as in-classroom technologies of…

Anyone who spends time on a university campus will notice the number of students working collaboratively on projects. These students often encounter problems finding a place with both space and equipment to support their work. Collaboration usually is also a bit noisier than other coursework. Although the library is often a main meeting place…

This article briefly describes users' experiences of two "green" education buildings. It goes on to conclude that stakeholders' negotiation of building performance is necessary to minimise environmental impact, just as it is necessary to achieve other aspects of building performance.

If the world of education had a crystal ball, even its own visionary might feel a bit of uncertainty. Perhaps one of the furthest ideas from the minds of those considering the future of education facilities is that in 50 years, there will be no education facilities. One reason given for this belief is that 50 years worth of technological…

The small-schools movement has revolutionized educational concepts, design and construction. By reconfiguring large high schools into smaller learning academies, districts believe they can educate students more effectively. However, planners face numerous challenges in creating or renovating small schools, especially in urban environments where…

A growing number of studies show that a school's physical condition--especially its lighting and indoor air quality--directly affect student performance. A 2005 Turner Construction survey of green buildings found that 70 percent of districts with sustainable schools reported improved student performance. It also makes perfect sense that…

The objective of this study is to offer a view on the different environmental factors that affect health (sound, light, colour, temperature) in the design, planning and organization of school premises. To achieve this, the authors first outline the problems leading to unhealthy situations. They subsequently analyse all the building and planning…