Outlines how an information company--the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI)--designed a new building to house its facility. Problems and deficiencies in the old work space were analyzed using a rigorous systems approach, and an open-plan system was devised to allow for optimum space utilization and energy efficiency. (CWM)

Because community libraries are becoming centers of suburban and "exurban" activity, quiet study rooms are being constructed for customers intent on concentrated study. Discusses functional (size, location, furniture) and physical (acoustic, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, electronic support) considerations of quiet…

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…

Discusses the benefits of teaching architecture to gifted students and describes a unit implemented in elementary gifted classrooms. Student activities included researching architects' styles, creating model-building exteriors out of mixed media, creating floor plans, designing interiors, and brainstorming with resource people from fields related…

Describes four student union building designs that make students feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Examples show how design can inspire campus life and school spirit, enhance food service and increase the number of cash business customers, and provide a community feeling through the addition of multiservices. (GR)

Examines universal school design that is both user-friendly for all students and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This approach provides the basic functional design issues for easy traffic control, as well as orientation and classrooms that are adaptable to future curricular changes. Discusses new standards that impact design…

An interior-design program was evaluated internally by faculty and externally by a review team. The assessment focused both on student work and on the program and resources. Differences in the two evaluations confirmed the importance of outside evaluators' perspectives for program improvement. (SK)

Four contributing authors discuss perspectives on current trends in library interior design. Articles include: "Trends in Library Furnishings: A Manufacturer's Perspective" (Andrea Johnson); "Libraries, Architecture, and Light: The Architect's Perspective" (Rick McCarthy); "The Library Administrator's Perspective" (Chadwick Raymond); and "The…

Discusses the updated version of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it applies to primary and middle school washrooms. Provides the specifications for water closets serving children ages 3 to 12, as well as other details concerning mirrors and lavatory dimensions. (GR)

The purpose of this study was to assess ways by which creativity may be enhanced in a design-oriented course. In order to demonstrate the validity of the approach, a statistically based study was employed. Additionally, the experiment was replicated in two design-oriented fields at the University of Kentucky. These fields were civil engineering…

This article presents the case of of Martin Zelnik v. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) et al. and the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on the case. Zelnik served on the faculty of FIT from 1969 to 1999, retiring as a full professor of interior design. Zelnik applied for an emeritus status but was denied by FIT. The…

The activities presented in this book encompass a variety of perceptual, social, and technological issues as they relate to the built environment. They are organized to present a coherent, cumulative series. Generalizations become specific as vocabulary is developed and planned techniques explained. Curriculum guide charts indicate subject areas…

This checklist is designed to provide librarians, architects, and other members of a building design team with a list of questions to ask during the design phase of a new or remodeled library building project. The purpose of the questions is to make sure that no element of the building is overlooked by the building design team in their programming…

This courseware evaluation rates the "FloorPlan" program developed by the Learning Seed. (The program--not included in this document--allows room design and arrangement to be performed on the computer screen.) The courseware was rated by a team of home economists participating in a network for the dissemination of courseware reviews.…

This study assessed the effect of room design on small-group communication patterns. Twenty-seven groups of three subjects each were assigned to nine types of rooms that differed with respect to shape, interior decoration, and other environmental elements. Subjects discussed a standard group-discussion topic. Data indicated that room design had no…