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Innovative Approaches to HVAC
Schools nationwide—especially those in historically cool climates now undergoing elevated heat events—face a challenging cycle when it comes to adapting to climate-change-driven temperature extremes during the school year. Often if heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems even exist, they are nearing end of life and operating less efficiently. Facing limited budgets, schools often opt for repairs over equipment replacement even though repairs can be costly and newer systems are designed for more efficient, sustainable operation offering long-term energy and cost savings.
06/04/2024
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Indoor Air Quality
McMaster University is using technology to better control and manage its legacy thermal systems and create smarter buildings. Carmichael Engineering Ltd., a Canadian systems integrator, worked closely with ABB Canada’s leading experts and its highly adaptable smart building platform, ABB Cylon®, to improve energy efficiency, enhance user adaptability, and leverage innovative technologies in locations across campus.
02/22/2024
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Predictions & Trends
We asked our readership to send us their predictions for 2024 trends in educational facilities. Across K–12 and higher-education campuses both, we asked for opinions on topics like technology, flexible learning spaces, campus safety & security, disaster response, and more. This article is the third in a three-part series compiling responses from educational professionals and vendors.
02/08/2024
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Emerging Technology
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are the future; Isaac Asimov and the rest of classic sci-fi have been telling us this for decades.
07/10/2023
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Building Blueprints
The client was Grover Cleveland Charter High School, part of the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, Calif. The challenge, modernizing a 1960s-era, single-story school to double its square footage to accommodate additional students and to follow biophilic design goals that would benefit students and foster collaboration and social interaction.
06/20/2023
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HVAC
The importance of HVAC units in schools was brought to the forefront when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the early parts of 2020. The federal government also took notice as they issued approximately $190 billion in COVID relief funds through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).
05/15/2023
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It is a well-known fact that the environment affects human performance, both physically and mentally. This is especially true for students, who are impacted by the quality of air in their learning environment.
10/01/2021
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HVAC & IAQ
05/01/2021
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IAQ
05/01/2021
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IAQ
05/01/2021
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IAQ
05/01/2021
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Podcast
02/08/2021
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Podcast
01/15/2021
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Interiors
12/01/2020
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Sustainability
Sustainable flooring is a smart choice for schools interested in providing a healthy learning environment and demonstrating their commitment to a better global environment.
11/02/2020
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Cleaning
How do you create a hygienic and safe environment equipped to handle everyday usage and increased handwashing activity by students, faculty, administration and staff? And, how do you improve the restroom experience to make it more appealing to its users?
10/20/2020
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Acoustics
When a physical space offers a little passive noise control, such as high cubicle walls, private offices or softer, sound-absorbing materials, the effects on the well-being of each person — as well as their productivity — can be profoundly impacted.
10/12/2020
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HVAC
A building’s HVAC technology can help decrease the transmission rate or mitigate the risk of exposure. Thus, schools must consider their HVAC system as part of their overall COVID-19 mitigation strategy, in addition to social distancing, cleaning, screening, signage and operational practices.
09/28/2020
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Acoustics
If there is not enough sound absorption in spaces for learning, they are overly loud, reverberant and stressful; not an environment conducive for effective education. Up to one of every four words cannot be understood by students in many classrooms, according to guidelines by the Acoustical Society of America.
09/02/2020
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Reopening Schools
Overall, signage provides a cost-effective and direct solution to the question, “How does the coronavirus change our schools?” Signage plays a role in helping people feel comfortable in their environments and understanding what is expected of them in certain spaces.
07/08/2020
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Classroom Components
Why address comfort in the design of a learning space? When students are physically comfortable, they’re more at ease: They can relax, block out negative thoughts and focus more effectively on instruction.
05/25/2020
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Components & Materials
Walls, ceilings and floors, along with all interior and other building elements, must meet budgetary, acoustic, resilience, sustainability and maintenance requirements, with builders weighing such factors and others. Here are some ways that schools are making their interiors stand out.
05/05/2020
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Interior Design
In Bothell, Washington, Dykeman, Inc. worked with the Northshore School District to create a flexible, innovative learning center for 1,600 students centered on collaboration. They incorporated state-of-the-art interior single leaf sliding doors and hardware into eight "collaboration cubes" to pave the way for project-based and problem-based group learning, without compromising design.
03/25/2020
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K-12 High-Traffic Areas
01/01/2020
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Residence Halls
The largest mass timber building in America, Adohi Hall at the University of Arkansas, exemplifies a new generation of wood-framed and light-filled residence halls designed to foster connections.
01/01/2020
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Adaptive Reuse for Education
There are countless opportunities to create new and innovative learning environments within existing buildings.
11/01/2019
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Guest Viewpoint
A few solutions to minimize renovation costs and support sustainablity goals.
11/01/2019
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Facilities
A renovation that included the repair of storm damage to the roof of McCain Auditorium on the campus of Kansas State University was a coordinated effort that required the replacement of custom-fabricated smoke vents.
10/18/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
Building envelope systems not only work to keep the inside in and the outside out, but can also contribute to a facility’s or institution’s sustainability goals while presenting an attractive, functional front.
10/01/2019
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Facilities (Building Envelope)
10/01/2019
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Building Blueprints (Facilities in Focus)
10/01/2019
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Facilities (Walls, Ceilings & Floors)
09/01/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
Autumn is the ideal time to prepare structures for winter from roof to foundation. Undertaking routine inspections in the fall can prevent costly repairs in the future.
09/01/2019
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Lighting
09/01/2019
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Campus electrical distribution systems support all aspects of campus activity. Understanding the challenges for new and replacement installations is imperative for maintaining university operations and protecting capital investments. This article provides insight into identifying and addressing these challenges.
08/14/2019
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Expert Perspective
As education principles continue to evolve, immersive learning environments offer an emerging and meaningful education tool.
07/23/2019
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Preventative maintenance is crucial for identifying maintenance needs and determining the amount of deferred maintenance needed. It will also help facility managers plan and prioritize projects and evaluate their costs.
07/02/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
It is important to include a structural perspective of your facilities when considering the impact of deferred maintenance.
07/01/2019
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Facility Focus (Libraries / Learning Commons)
07/01/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
Creative design can solve the conflict between having an open research lab with natural light and views where passersby can see and be excited about the research being done and safeguarding sensitive or proprietary information.
07/01/2019
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Editor's Note (The View From Here)
07/01/2019
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Facility Focus (Libraries / Learning Commons)
07/01/2019
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Looking Forward
Life's one constant is change and College Planning & Management is here for it. From the expansion of big data to plant-forward dining options, schools are adapting with the times. Here's a look at what's happening now and into the future. Is your school ready for what's next?
07/01/2019
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Trends
Look inside for commentary from experts in the field who share their perspective on trends in education and the effect those changes will have on various learning environments.
07/01/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
Thoughtfully designing the high-traffic areas that define your campus plays a crucial role in establishing your institution's identity.
06/01/2019
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Facilities (Learning Spaces)
Nearly all flooring surfaces in a school facility can be considered 'high traffic areas.'
06/01/2019
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Facilities (Learning Spaces)
Each roof leak is an opportunity to fail. As always, planning for all possible alternatives in advance will pay dividends in the future.
04/01/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
How the latest lighting technologies enhance student success, safety, and engagement.
04/01/2019
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Facilities (Learning Spaces)
Imagine the opportunities that could be created in the learning environment if there were 50 or even a 100 points of light in each classroom that could be controlled individually or grouped in zones.
04/01/2019
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Facilities (Campus Spaces)
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to roof maintenance.
04/01/2019