The failure of the "open classroom" concept of the 1960's has not diminished the need for researchers to continue to look at learning and teaching to better understand how educational spaces can be improved for everyone that uses them. This document summarizes presentations made at the 1997 American Institute of Architects (AIA) conference on the importance of school design to those who work and learn within them. The following topics are covered: the learning process; educational technology; storage space; space allocated to other professionals visiting schools and the general community; changes in school design brought on by educational change and facility uses; and use of natural lighting. An additional presentation examines one school's efforts in meeting the diverse needs now demanded of it. A concluding section provides a list of resources resulting from a search of the AIA library and archives that address K-12 schools and architecture. (GR)