Teachers can use "built teaching aids" or elements of the school building itself to expand teaching and enhance learning. Possibilities include bulletin boards, display cases, murals painted by local artists, permanent information panels, interior windows to classrooms, flags, and bas-reliefs on building exteriors. Playground pavement…

Concerned about the deteriorating condition of existing facilities, a dedicated group of Lake City, Iowa students, staff, parents, and community members completely redecorated and refurbished the school, transforming it into a bright, colorful building--at no cost to the district. The "Make a Difference Day" had unexpected social and…

Illustrates how an alternative high school in Seattle (Washington) used creative thinking in taking space designed for other uses and making it into a user-friendly school. Other adaptations of old buildings to school use are highlighted. (GR)

Claims that almost none of the preschool design literature bridges the interest and technical concern of architects and education professionals. Offers design suggestions for classrooms, outdoor spaces, shared spaces, offices, teachers' space, and a place for parents. Discusses general design issues such as textures and colors, materials, security…

As enrollment growth at Oregon Graduate Institute drew more people to the campus, the need for a central gathering place became clear. An old science building was rehabilitated with a first-floor kitchen, dining areas, plus 2 50- to 60-student classrooms. Renamed the Wilson Clark Center for Lifelong Learning, students and faculty now have a…

Discusses creating buildings from the ground up to support alternative (nontraditional) educational programs and the benefits of matching the facility to the curriculum and the students' needs. The use of a retrofitted vacant office building to support a nontraditional curriculum in Salt Lake City is highlighted. (GR)

Offers a sampling of historic preservation projects by school districts. Examples include New York City Public School 157; Edward Lee McClain High School in Greenfield, Ohio; Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida; and Colonial High School in Orange County, Florida. (EV)

Details the restoration of two historical stone buildings on the campus of San Francisco Theological Seminary, including seismic upgrades; improvements to the dome of one building, the stonework, and the slate roofs; and upgrades to the interior while preserving its historical character. (EV)

An assessment at the University of Maryland, College Park of the time and distance between classes, and the resulting classroom disruptions when students arrive late or leave early, supported a decision to implement a policy regarding student scheduling. (EV)

Advises schools on how to identify and handle toxic mold in their buildings. Addresses the extent of the problem, offers a four-step approach toward remediation, and suggests questions to ask when mold has been identified. (EV)

Using the Oglesby Union at Florida State University in Tallahassee as an example, explores what students today expect from activity centers (for example, in terms of technology) and how facilities should change to accommodate students' activities. (EV)

Discusses the innovative and whimsical use of brick and glass architectural design at the University of Cincinnati's Vontz Center for Molecular Studies. The architectural development process is described. Building diagrams and photos are included. (GR)

Describes the design of the Fisher Science And Academic Center at Simon's Rock College (Massachusetts), that allows the buildings to seamlessly blend in with their rustic surroundings. Photos and diagrams detailing design features are provided. (GR)

Introduces a place of mathematics using a town called Amiens and its Cathedral whose overall floor plan was based on the Greek cross using proportions matching that of the ideal human body, the figures in the shape of an octagram or star octagon, and the symbols in the design. (ASK)

Discusses the trend in using intelligent-building technologies to achieve operating efficiencies and cost savings. Explains what an intelligent building is, defines some of the terms, and discusses how the user-friendly aspects of these systems are helping schools convert to them. (GR)