Get The Picture
Healthy Air, Healthy Students
“Here is the bad news and the good news of achieving indoor air quality in schools,” says Rich Prill, buildings science and indoor air quality specialist at Washington State University…
Tired of Expensive School Buildings?
When planning for school construction, most educational facility owners have two conflicting goals. One is to build a “state-of-the-art” facility that enhances the educational experience. The other is to build…
Smart Spaces
Using classroom and laboratory space wisely depends on many factors, and requires assessing both current and potential future use. Understanding the four keys to using space wisely, as presented in…
Fast—Track Inside—Out Construction
A 3/8-inch ribbed concrete panel with a light sandblast finish was chosen for the façade of MCG’s Interdisciplinary Research Building . This subtle pattern creates an interesting play of light…
There’s More to Floors Than the Shine
Sparkling floors are a key indicator of a facility’s overall cleanliness. After all, "floors so clean you could eat off of them" is a compliment of the highest magnitude for…
Artificial Turf vs. Natural Turf
Every new school needs a playing field. And every playing field needs a periodic refresher. Plain old grass used to be the only option for groundcover. Then came AstroTurf. And…
Designing Auditoriums
This Weatherford, Texas, High School auditorium was designed by VLK Architects; the acoustic consultant was Wrightson Johnson Haddon & Williams. Picture the auditoriums from your K-12 days. Chances are one…
Promoting Underground Athletic Activities
The practice field is sited above the majority of the underground athletic facility. Massive windows mark the front entrance to the building, which allows ample light to flow inside. Photo…
Clean Learning
By age 40, most U. S. school buildings start deteriorating rapidly. As they get older, their worsening physical conditions can have an alarmingly negative impact on a child’s education, especially…