By James Biehle
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January 24th, 1999
Due to the basic nature of science, science classrooms and laboratories are among the most hazardous instructional areas in the school environment, so safety for those who will be using the facilities should be a prominent concern for facility planners. The planning team should give specific attention not only to the design of the facilities but also to the establishment of emergency procedures.
Also posted in Architecture | Tagged design, flexibility, prep and storage, safety, schools, science, science building design, science building planning, science facilities, science facilities design, science facilities planning, science facility design, science facility planning, science lab design, science lab planning, tech, technology |
By James Biehle
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October 1st, 1998
Fixed, designated-subject science labs may become dinosaurs. Perhaps a large, flexible student project space, somewhat like the example at South Carroll High School in Carroll County, MD could be combined with a number of other support spaces to provide the appropriate learning environment for science.
Also posted in Architecture | Tagged greenhouse, high school, planning, prep and storage, project space, science, science building design, science building planning, science facilities, science facilities design, science facilities planning, science facility design, science facility planning, science lab design, science lab planning |
By James Biehle
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June 16th, 1997
About 30 years ago, a new kind of player began to appear in American architectural practice. Traditionally, most architects supervised the construction of the buildings they had designed, as idealized in Ayn Rand’s 1943 popular novel, The Fountainhead. But by the early 1970s a new kind of professional, often an architect, appeared to handle the [...]
By James Biehle
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March 1st, 1997
Many high school science classrooms, including those recently designed and/or renovated, are not equipped for 21st-century science. Typical problems with existing facilities include insufficient space, overcrowded classrooms, designs that limit a teacher’s ability to supervise the class, no separation of lab and lecture functions, inadequate storage, no preparation space or individual/small group project space, no faculty office space, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Also posted in Architecture | Tagged nsta, project space, schools, science, science building design, science building planning, science facilities, science facilities design, science facilities planning, science facility design, science facility planning, science lab design, science lab planning, secondary, technology |
By James Biehle
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February 24th, 1997
With proper leadership, network planning, flexibility and old-fashioned know-how, existing buildings can be equipped with computer technology.
Educators and architects discussing technology applications in schools consistently raise the following four points:
Technology leadership must exist at the administrative level.
Network planning should be done before installation of the network.
The system must be flexible.
Old buildings are a special challenge [...]
By James Biehle
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November 1st, 1995
“America will rank first in science and mathematics by the year 2000.”
These lofty-sounding words are part of Goals 2000, the federal Educate America Act. The turn of the century is fast approaching, but we’ve barely made a start in responding to this mandate. Though science supervisors, district officials and architects are scrambling to create better [...]
Also posted in Architecture | Tagged classroom, education, flexibility, furniture, lab, project space, school, science, science building design, science building planning, science facilities, science facilities design, science facilities planning, science facility design, science lab design, science lab planning, technology |
By James Biehle
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May 1st, 1995
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an evolving process; its impact on schools continues to be felt. There is nothing in the “ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities” (ADAAG) or in the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards that specifically relates to science facilities. Thus, specific applications require judgment on the part of the facility planner.
Also posted in Architecture | Tagged ada, Americans with Disabilities Act, compliance, flexibility, furniture, safety, schools, science, science building design, science building planning, science facilities, science facilities design, science facilities planning, science facility design, science facility planning, science lab design, science lab planning |
By James Biehle
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July 24th, 1994
Separate utility lines are often required for new campus buildings because the size and location of existing utilities are unknown, or because their capacity has been reached or exceeded. As a campus grows, the resulting collection of utility lines can gridlock future development and require costly utility relocation as additions are made.
As a campus grows, [...]
By James Biehle
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June 21st, 1991
Master planning in higher education is necessary and widespread, but it is often ritualistic and unsuccessful. Why? How can the master planning process become a more integral part of an institution’s thinking about its changes and future growth?
By James Biehle
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May 24th, 1991
Long-range facilities planning for college and university campuses can be an effective tool for organizing and controlling the orderly growth of the institution.
Designing Science Facilities for the New Science Standards – key concepts in improving today’s K-12 teaching spaces.
