21st Century School Design

Building and Designing Schools

For Tomorrow’s CMCSS!

Current Issues in K-12 School Design

Increase in community centered schools Perceived increase in school violence as well as

increased security High tech-multi-media environments Energy efficiency Sustainability Instructional flexibility

– Designs for a variety of learning: small group, individual, large group, hands-on, independent research

Increase in Community Centered Schools

School design that allows for better access restrictions to areas not needed for public use in the evenings

Determining how schools can be 24 hour facilities or multi-use facilities for community and education

High tech-multi-media environments

Classroom design that maximizes use of the kind of technology used at Barkers Mill through “outside the box” classroom layout and design

Interior design that makes use of technology building wide rather than just in the classroom

Energy Efficiency (Green School Design)

Use recycled building materials Reduce greenhouse gas emissions “Daylighting” the school design strategically Better air quality through purposeful design Superior acoustics and thermal comfort Minimize energy demand Minimize water usage Use energy-efficient lighting, mechanical systems,

and renewable energy sources

Energy Efficiency (Green School Design

Solar planning for site and design Attention to lighting, mechanical systems,

plumbing and water systems and electrical systems (a design that complements these new kinds of systems)

Sustainability

“Schools are like cities where the city center is like the student center, homes like classrooms, streets like hallways, parks like common areas. Increasingly school cultures will become interdisciplinary, team planned and taught.”

Herman Hertzberger

Instructional Flexibility

Buildings designed to accommodate:– Information technology– Teachers’ role change from instructor to

mentor/facilitator– Schools less industrial to more personal– Classrooms with more flexible and fluid design

Issues Specific to Rossview Elementary

External wall space/footprint/lower profile for cost savings Possible less masonry Design incorporating pre-fabricated metal structures More energy efficiency Security (internal and external) Opportunity for environment bid environment Instructional issues around technology, classroom design that

encourages today’s best teaching approaches Instructional approaches in elementary schools have greatly

changed in 20 years Storage