The design of the Lois Lensky Elementary School in Littleton, Colorado, incorporates three methods of capturing heat from the sun. (Author)

Two schools in rural Iowa have been designed with the north sides of the buildings set within rolling hillsides. This takes advantage of southern exposures and thermal ground mass to help modulate heating needs. (Author/MLF)

Existing elementary schools in Washington, Pennsylvania, were replaced by an educational park with two two-story buildings. A heat recovery system and an additional thickness of insulation conserve energy. (MLF)

Describes how one elementary school was designed to be a flexible, innovative campus that connects learning and the learning environment. The celebration of nature is carried out in many ways within the building. Students are exposed to great vistas from every interior location. Daylighting is infused throughout the school to reinforce the desire…

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 U.S. Green Building Council program, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, that has helped school districts around the country apply comprehensive environmental techniques to the design of 34 K-12 school buildings since 1999. (SLD)

Offers guidelines to ensure a smooth school construction project: (1) validate the program and budget; (2) create a management plan; (3) develop a reporting system; (4) qualify designers; (5) manage the design phase; (6) put the schedule in bidding documents; and (6) closely manage the construction phase. (EV)

Presents chapels/worship centers considered outstanding in a competition, which judged the most outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, focusing on concepts and ideas that made them exceptional. For each citation, the article offers information on the firm, client, total…

Emphasizes the importance of security and educational opportunity in the design of educational facilities. Offers checklists for intruder and environmental security, and discusses sustainability, design fads, and smart budgeting in achieving good design for educational opportunities. (EV)

Discusses green buildings, facilities designed, constructed, and operated in an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient way. Discusses reasons for campuses to "go green," the "shades of green" or variations in environmental-friendliness, certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, financial…

Describes how Oregon's Linn-Benton Community College, Lane Community College, Chemeketa Community College, and Portland Community College Cascade recently created areas specifically for their student activities programs. (EV)

Introduces articles that profile innovative and well-designed school buildings. Asserts the importance of well-designed facilities on students' academic performance and questions the slow pace of design reform in educational facilities. (EV)

Describes the planning and design of Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California, particularly its emphasis on a humanistic, democratic approach to education in both facility design and organizational structure. (EV)

Describes how the Philadelphia Eagles helped Drew Elementary School in West Philadelphia to transform an unappealing asphalt area into a playground. (EV)

Describes two recent vocational education school construction projects in Quebec: a school of forestry and wood technology, and a steelwork training center. (EV)