Planning to raise funds for a small-scale or specific college capital improvement project requires a different approach for background research, writing, and design of solicitation publications, use of volunteers, and visits to donors than does a larger project. A civic purchase-and-renovation project in Ohio illustrates the principles used. (MSE)

The process of designing a child care center is described. This process includes the conceptual and schematic design, schematic pricing, design development, and construction documents. Overall design criteria, and interior program components, are discussed. (LB)

Reviews the history of architectural developments in academic libraries. Highlights include natural lighting and the invention of the incandescent bulb; compact shelving; open versus closed stacks; modular construction methods; central air conditioning and controlled environments; interior arrangements; access to handicapped users and staff; and…

Many teachers unknowingly breathe air and drink water with low levels of harmful material. Exposure over the years may present significant health risks. This article examines the problems of indoor air pollution, pesticides, asbestos, lead in drinking water, and radon. Each section includes sources for further information. (SM)

An inadequate (although constant) share of funding, a serious accumulation of deferred maintenance, and the decline in constant dollars directed toward physical plants all suggest that the overall higher education enterprise is underfunded. At the expense of future generations, we are spending down the capital asset represented by facilities. (MLW)

The article describes the responsibilities of public colleges and universities to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder; discusses the purpose of bid statutes; and lists the factors institutions should consider in determining a bidder's responsibility. Also covered are the standard of review and due process rights of the…

A campus's physical presence typically serves as the "front door" for key audiences and important constituencies, creating an initial and often enduring image within the community from which it hopes to attract students, faculty, and staff. Effective real-estate management presents opportunities to design a more inviting welcome sign.…

Discusses how consensus planning encourages group participation and enhances the overall design and construction process. Describes values analysis and ways to include others in examining values, offers step-by-step instructions on how consensus planning works, and provides two examples of consensus planning in action. (RJM)

Project offers grades 3-8 students hands-on design practice creating built environments to solve a society-based architectural problem. Students plan buildings, draw floor plans, and make scale models of the structures that are then used in related interdisciplinary activities. (Author)

A shortage of capital and appropriate education facilities prompted the Edmonton (Alberta) Public Schools to explore creative solutions such as leasing retrofitted facilities to house new academic programs. Landlords generally like school districts, considering them reliable, long-term tenants for hard-to-rent larger buildings. (MLH)

Discusses recommendations for designing or redesigning library buildings for easy navigability. Signage, maps, collection arrangements, and placement of emergency exits must take into account observed traffic patterns, spatial or objective orientations of individual patrons, and patrons with disabilities. Contains 63 references. (BEW)

Reviews costs involved in running libraries that are usually not considered. Topics discussed include building and maintenance costs, including insurance; growth costs, including print and/or electronic materials; physical expansion and staff; electronics; cost recovery, i.e., user fees; cost centers and overhead; user-related costs, including…

A sick school building has indoor air problems that pose health risks for everyone inside. The paper discusses what makes a school sick and what interested parties can do about it by targeting the problem together, making classroom changes, and making schoolwide changes. Resources for further information are included. (SM)

Describes an art unit called "Archi-Painting" where high school students in a beginning art class learned about landscapes and some of the world's most important buildings. Explains that the students placed a well-known building into a new environment in their paintings. (CMK)

Examines Japan's educational system and the role of national policy and local government in fostering lifelong learning. Reasons why Japan is building a lifelong learning society are examined, as are the opportunities available in Japan for learning beyond traditional education, the national and local government's role, access to facilities,…