Designing environmentally friendly challenge courses involves considering factors such as clearing, trees versus poles, soil erosion and compaction, toilet design, waste disposal, and carrying capacity. Strategies used in "green development" such as systems thinking, solution multipliers, and brainstorming with stakeholders could promote…

Describes how school boards and administrators can use a facility-planning symposium, which brings together educators, students, parents, business leaders, and others, to establish an educational program and to design a template representative of the community. Examines ways to construct a shared vision and looks at design issues. (RJM)

Discusses planning and funding a high school whose design simultaneously addresses the changing nature of education, aesthetics, and security while enhancing the learning process. The concept of pooling funding sources or passing a bond issue for developing affordable joint-use facilities is highlighted. (GR)

Presents brief site-visit reports of three Paris (France) public schools to study the planning and use of each school's library. Observations from an elementary, middle, and high school include the overall library design, book classification and access systems, technology use, budgeting, and librarian role. (GR)

Discusses the impact current educational reforms and new teaching styles are having on school design and the themes and trends that are emerging in designs for 2001. Design themes discussed are prototype schools, multistory elementary schools, learning environments and extended learning areas, and vocational education integration. (GR)

Discussses the top issues facing schools as they build and renovate their facilities to meet the educational needs of the 21st Century. Issues include alternative school sites, ecologically friendly facilities, flexible spaces, outdoor spaces, schools as communities, smaller schools, security, technology, and school/community relationships. (GR)

The Georgia Institute of Technology received some funding from the Olympic 1996 Summer Games to add 2,800 new beds and renovate 4,600 existing beds to meet the needs of Olympic athletes and future students. The housing department used market research to find out what facilities students preferred. (MLF)

A new elementary school in New Hampshire uses innovative European ventilation technology to ensure excellent air quality. Combined with high-efficiency lighting, the system should reduce energy consumption by 10 to 20%, compared with a traditional facility. (MLF)

South Lawrence East School, a K-8 facility in Lawrence (Massachusetts), illustrates how planners worked with the district to create an environment for learning and community involvement. The layout and circulation provide easy access to the community wing, which houses the auditorium, gymnasium, and activity room, without opening the rest of the…

Discusses the benefits to student learning of smaller schools and offers profiles of schools designed to offer smaller-scale learning environments: Mariner High School in Mukitea, Washington, Prairie Elementary School in Worthington, Minnesota, and High Tech High in San Diego, California. (EV)

Describes renovations to the building housing the University of Toronto's school of architecture; the changes addressed both operational and symbolic issues. Includes design drawings and photographs. (EV)

Describes Noble High School, the largest in Maine. The $33.6 million project has 15 separate, 100-student "communities" within the school, which accommodate the district's project-based, team teaching methods. In addition, the facility provides space for myriad community functions. (EV)

Examines how a group of private corporations can bring new skills to the difficult task of designing, constructing, starting up, and maintaining educational facilities. (GR)

Shows design features of the K-8 Arts Magnet School in New Haven, Connecticut, that allow the facility to be used as a learning tool. Also explores ways to bring artistic energy into the building design through collaboration with local artists. (GR)

An experience-based exhibit emphasizes the visitor's active involvement: visitors become involved in inquiry cycles in which visitors' continued interaction with the exhibit builds upon the feedback they have received from the results of their inquiries. Presents 10 broad guidelines to consider when designing engaging experience-based exhibits.…