"Sick building syndrome" results mainly from tightly sealed, poorly ventilated buildings with low levels of airborne pollutants. This article describes the problem at a Pennsylvania elementary school, examines roles of specific contaminants, and discusses credibility problems, prescriptions, and preventive measures. Insets explain causes…

Describes two novel ways to accommodate new student populations: (1) building small, house-style classroom buildings in developing residential areas (in Flint, Michigan); and (2) using modular classrooms that can be dismantled and attached to other schools as the population shifts (in Montgomery County, Maryland). (MLH)

Begins with an overview of the basic principles of light and light sources currently utilized in building design. Case studies of several successfully lit library buildings are presented and specific recommendations for the various functional requirements of a library are provided. (15 references) (MES)

Through comparisons between new buildings and older buildings the energy savings involved in the insulation of buildings are clearly demonstrated. (MD)

Repudiates Herbert Walberg's recent review article touting homework's beneficial effects on achievement scores. Presents evidence showing that good learning environments, interactive situations, and less restricted access to community and school resources (including new technologies) were of greater significance. Faults schools' organizational…

The new Oregon-Davis Elementary School in rural Indiana embodies state-of-the-art energy management. Its environmental systems include thorough insulation, dual heating and cooling equipment for flexible loads, and decentralized computer controls. A heat recovery unit and variable-air-volume discharge ducts also contribute to conservation. (MCG)

Hobbs Window Insulation, an inexpensive polyester material, can reduce heat loss or gain through single-pane glass by 70 percent. The product is translucent, has an insulative value of R-3, and is easy to install and remove. (MCG)

Responses by 42 institutions to a questionnaire sent to 85 colleges and universities indicate that 33 (79 percent) calculated building replacement costs. Methods of calculation, uses of replacement costs, and units responsible for calculation are reported. (MLF)

Aurora, Colorado's Horizon Middle School maintains good community relations partly by housing a branch of the city library, a city-sponsored community center, three classrooms for a preschool, a sixth-grade class, a boy scout troop, soccer teams, local homeowners' associations, and two church groups. (PGD)

Evaluation of Play Unit for the Severely Handicaped (PUSH) designed for the living room of a residential area used by 16 severely retarded multiply handicapped persons revealed that the impact of the unit was individualized and diverse, and that the responsiveness of the environemt's components appeared to be important. (CL)

The rationales and experience of the Roseville, Michigan, school system in putting all of its school buildings up for sale in an effort to resolve a school closure impasse. (JW)

John Hellier, the head of Brislington School at Bristol, describes an adjustment unit for disturbed students and the ingredients necessary to make it a success. (RK)

Describes how colleges can gain revenue and cut costs by leasing facilities to outside organizations. Discusses potential advantages of such an arrangement for both the college and its "tenant." (JG)

This paper discusses environmental preference, particularly related to the design of children's museums. It explains that preference for an environment leads to motivation to interact with the environment, which leads to learning. It lays out several design principles: (1) involve children in the process of children's museum design in a way that…

Asserting that in Maine and across the nation, school buildings are becoming increasingly plagued with indoor air quality (IAQ) problems which contribute to a variety of illnesses in children and adults, this report from a Maine state legislative task force identifies appropriate policies and identifies actions necessary for the prevention and…