Industrial materials are used in the new gymnasium at St. Mary's College, a Catholic women's affiliate of the University of Notre Dame. (Author/MLF)

A therapeutic recreation center for the retarded and handicapped is proving that barrier-free design has come of age. (Author/MLF)

The design of the Sherman Fairchild Center for the Life Sciences at Columbia University emphasizes the lightness necessitated by the building's placement on an existing five-story podium structure. (Author/MLF)

Black artisans and craftsmen constituted a specialized labor force in colonial America. Without their achievements it is difficult to see how the colonist would have survived. As producers of goods, contributors to building trades, manufacturers of furniture, and designers of household objects and decor, they also aided America in her aesthetic…

The tight urban site of St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey, suggested a rooftop sports and recreation area, and the bubble permits year-round use. (Author/MLF)

The nation's school buildings are generally in poor repair. This article summarizes the 1987 Council of the Great City Schools Report's observations, statistics, and list of budgetary considerations associated with technology, educational programs, building utilization, equipment needs, and priority-setting. Toledo's (Ohio) experience and a recent…

A brief background on indoor radon and the health risks associated with radon exposure, with special emphasis on nonresidential buildings. One school district's experience in radon testing and monitoring is included. (MLF)

Analysis of school utility bills is a good business practice for administrators. Efficient energy management of equipment is measured by the "load factor"--the ratio of average demand to maximum demand. An audit enables control of this factor. (CJH)

Provides step-by-step instructions on how to choose a design consultant for developing building renovation or new building plans. Includes a sample interview form and a sample group evaluation form. (MD)

Faced with deteriorating buildings, overcrowding, an inadequate budget, and government regulations, Columbia University needed data to support facility management decisions. After contacting organizations with similar facilities, the unviersity chose a space inventory database program developed by MIT for a consortium of academic, medical, and…

To maintain good light quality while attempting to reduce energy costs, the University of Illinois (Chicago) investigated a variety of light-related cutbacks. An inexpensive, quickly installed current-limiting device (NO-WATT manufactured by Remtec Systems) on 1000 fixtures resulted in energy savings of $18,000 annually. (DH)

An Atlanta, Georgia, school that closed after 50 years of service and stood vacant for five more years now contains subsidized rental apartments for the elderly. (MLF)

Earth berms and burying the building into the hillside help insulate the Florida State Museum and make it operationally the most economical building on the campus. (Author/MLF)

A multipurpose building with an air-supported roof houses athletics from varsity games to recreation and intramural activities, concerts, exhibitions, rallies, and convocations. (Author/MLF)

This brief outlines both the national and state environments and summarizes the opportunities and challenges that need to be taken into account as states move forward to develop comprehensive early childhood systems. It is adapted from and summarizes a full report entitled "Planning for the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Initiative…