Green roofs, with their topsoil and plants, improve insulation, filter air, reduce water runoff, and provide habitat for urban wildlife. They are compatible with schools because they save energy; schools' flat roofs are conducive to greening; and green roofs can be outdoor classrooms for botany, ecology, and energy efficiency. Although scarce in…

This case study examines the proposed design of a new lecture/recital hall in Centennial Hall at Lynchburg College that will be used for lectures, public events, a film studies course, and musical recitals. It explores the audio-visual challenges presented by the differing acoustical requirements for the building. (EV)

Presents a college building judged to be an outstanding student center/service area in a competition, which evaluated outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, highlighting unique concepts and ideas. Provides data on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,…

Presents high school and college vocational/industrial arts buildings considered outstanding in a competition, which judged the most outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, highlighting unique concepts and ideas. For each citation, the article offers information on the…

In designing schools, planners must use the criteria of health and safety, performance, comfort, and aesthetics to create a humanized physical environment that stimulates interest and provides motivation for learning and teaching. The human factors in design are sense of place, ownership, community, presence comfort, security, aesthetics,…

Addresses four questions regarding implementation of a long-term capital plan to manage a college's facilities portfolio: When should the projects be implemented? How should the capital improvements be implemented? What will it actually cost in terms of project costs as well as operating costs? Who will implement the plan? (EV)

A major research university in a metropolitan location reexamines its sense of campus community and discovers that it should not approach living and learning as separate activities; the institution purposely used extensive housing construction and renovation to achieve the institution's educational mission and encourage a greater sense of…

Five principal products of an integrated academic, fiscal, and facility planning process are discussed: an academic plan, a physical development plan, institutional priorities, a capital budget, and an operating budget. Criteria for successful implementation of a planning process that integrates these five plans are offered. (Author/MLW)

This lesson plan introduces high school students to pueblo architecture. Students will learn about pueblo architecture and its cultural tradition; discuss architectural characteristics and aesthetics in San Geronimo de Taos; examine the pueblo as a living environment; explore adobe pueblo structure in clay; and study Hopi, Zuni, and Pueblo…

Explores the major problems with many of the new state-of-the-art buildings designed to house child care programs and concludes that the buildings are too small. (BB)

This article argues that the physical plant of most colleges and universities does not teach students to value the natural environment, despite its costly maintenance. A more ecological approach that respects nature, reflects natural aesthetic standards, presents the outdoors as a classroom in its own right, and for which the whole campus…

Discussion of changes in school building design focuses on a conference held at Prairie School (Racine, Wisconsin) that included architects and educators who discussed what is happening in schools and in what directions school design should be moving. New environments needed for new learning styles are described. (LRW)

Four programs are described: (1) visits of New Jersey vocational students to local construction sites; (2) customized training delivered by Indiana Vo-Tech College to the manufacturer of Louisville sluggers; (3) Seminole Community College labs providing entry-level career preparation and refresher training in marine mechanics; and (4) high tech…

A discussion of the place of religion in higher education begins with the Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) chapel's history of controversy and looks at the role religious philosophy can play in intellectual and social evolution, drawing on a broad range of world literature. (MSE)

Provides a checklist for administrators to use while looking for signs of wasted energy and examining lighting, building construction, heating and ventilation systems, and plumbing and refrigeration. After completing the checklist for a single building or every school in the district, administrators should prioritize physical changes needed for…