Discusses how one community middle school, whose creation was the result of involvement of the town it resided in, became a lifesaving facility for many of the town's residents when disaster struck. Examines the community-wide effort in the school's construction planning and its benefits to the community after its completion. (GR)

Reveals how one Chicago school district was able to build a new elementary school a full two and one-half years before a traditional funding process would have allowed it. Examines a planning process that included using the Council of Educational Facility Planners, International guidelines for developing a business plan, partnering with needed…

Examines the planning behind renovating the University of New Hampshire's multi-building athletic/recreational facility to accommodate additional sports use. Particularly addresses the challenges and solutions for adding a hockey arena in a facility with limited expansion options. (GR)

Discusses the tradeoff of speed and movability versus costs when using relocatable buildings to solve educational space needs. Concluding comments address building-code compliance issues driving up expenses and impacting facility planning.(GR)

Explores using modular buildings to solve space problems in an atmosphere of decreasing budgets and how these buildings are capable of addressing multiple needs. Also discussed are what administrators should consider when adding modulars, including using suppliers as consultants, planning site visits, and using turnkey services to help ensure…

Describes how abandoned or neglected downtown buildings in Paterson (New Jersey) were transformed into thriving public schools. Several building to school conversions are highlighted. (GR)

Discusses the Master Plan of the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) that has produced two newly completed high-profile structures along with scores of renovations and new buildings in the planning stages. (GR)

Illustrates how paying attention to details such as doors can make all the difference between an ordinary school library and an outstanding one. Discusses effective design techniques, factors to incorporate into planning, and the influence of technology on library size. (GR)

Presents the steps necessary for creating a successful facility master plan, including the purpose and use of a steering committee and the need for a comprehensive database that includes a community/school profile. Explains community involvement in plan development, and outlines the steps necessary for preparing a final facility plan for…

Presents the fifth installment examining the expansion and renovation project of Longview Community College's Liberal Arts Building in Kansas City (Missouri). Reviewed are the gaining of final approvals from administrators on project plans and the detailing of wall construction, structural systems, HVAC units, and finishes. (GR)

Presents an interview with Bruce Jilk, architect and educational planner, who discusses how school design is changing and why the next 10 years are critical. (GR)

Discusses research on how much an average K-12 school should devote to student traffic versus programming space. Detailed space utilization data from the New Bedford Elementary School (Temperance, MI) is illustrated. (GR)

Provides examples of academic institutions becoming catalysts in revitalizing downtown areas while also providing themselves with new facilities. How these projects have been mutually beneficial to both school and community is highlighted. (GR)

Assesses whether college administrators are planning and building adequately to meet the the educational demand for space over the next 20 years. Trends in construction dollars expenditures over the past two decades are presented. (GR)

Four experts in school design discuss what constitutes best practice in educational facilities planning and design. Their discussions include examples of schools that illustrate these best practices. (EV)