Provides a checklist to guide decisions of college planners about whether a university should adapt a historic house for campus use. Covers issues of functionality, aesthetics, budget, and typical preservation issues. Includes case studies at New York University, Yale University (Connecticut), and Wesleyan University (Connecticut). (DB)

Describes how school districts can use performance contracting to help save energy dollars without sacrificing efficiency or comfort. In performance contracting, building improvements and upgrades are installed without using funds from the current budget. Money saved in future energy bills is then used to pay for the project. (RJM)

Discusses how modern schools require specific lighting systems to accommodate computers and other technologies. Describes special needs for direct and indirect lighting when considering visual display terminals and projectors, and the kind of lighting system best suited for distance learning. Offers ideas on classrooms' physical layout. (RJM)

Discusses how modern library systems can protect collections while not impeding disabled persons' access to facilities. Describes the problem with swinging gates and offers some security alternatives, such as high-tech gateless security, video detection, and voice alarms, that do not impede disabled persons' movements. (RJM)

The reviewed book summarizes successful school designs and recommends directions for planning of new school buildings, both large and small. Criticisms of the book include an introduction that predicts future trends; a critical tone toward teachers and certain aspects of education; limited information on certain topics such as portable buildings…

Describes the design and construction of a new National Archives facility at College Park, Maryland. Dubbed "Archives II" and identified as the largest archives facility in the world, the building features a five-level research room center, conservation and special media laboratories, and a day care center. Contains 11 photographs of the…

Discusses three predominant themes encountered by facilities managers and architects when planning and designing educational facilities: flexibility requirements, fiscal pressure, and community focus. (EV)

Discusses the adaptation of existing buildings for public libraries in Kenya by the Kenya National Library Service. Topics include the role of the community; determining the suitability of adapted buildings from a library management perspective; and recommendations, including updating standards, increasing the number of professional librarians,…

This annual review of library buildings focuses on new academic and public library buildings as well as additions and renovations. Library Buildings 2001 includes costs, book capacity, seating capacity, a six-year cost summary that includes fund sources, and a list of architects. (LRW)

Many state legislatures are authorizing the largest bond issues for campus facilities in years, in part for deferred maintenance and repairs. The robust national economy appears to be the main force driving the spending trend. Ironically, some of the states best positioned to give colleges large construction windfalls are those limited…

School-age children spend a significant portion of their day at school where they can be exposed to asthma triggers, but little information exists regarding potential relationships between childhood asthma and school environmental factors. This study examined patterns of asthma hospitalization and possible factors contributing to asthma…

What is involved in creating learning environments for the 21st century? How can school facilities serve as tools for teaching and meet the needs of students in the future? What components are required to design effective schools, and how does architecture relate to the purposes of schooling? These are some of the questions addressed at the…

The newly-built library at Ireland's Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is innovative in design, responds to environmental conditions and identifies the campus with its location. The library is part of the Learning Resource Centre recently constructed to meet the institute's objective for a new landmark frontage. This article presents the…

Sierra University was designed to promote the development of the mountain communities in the State of Sonora, Mexico. The university offers high school graduates an opportunity to pursue their studies in their home region, in order to stimulate economic development and contribute to social cohesion in the highlands area. The university is equipped…

In architectural design education, the main objective is to help students, especially first-year students, improve their design ideas, creativity, perception of three dimensions and ways of expressing them. Thus, as an embedded concept in architecture, art has been emphasized here as a design method. In other words, the necessary help to enable…