The educational construction process can be very varied. Schools can be built of one, two or three storeys, depending on the needs of the students. Primary schools tend to be smaller than secondary schools, but they are still designed to maximize space flexibility and ease of access. Secondary school layouts are typically dictated by subject departments and can vary widely. The building of new secondary schools is often influenced by the Building Schools for the Future initiative, which has led to the use of high-quality internal space and interesting mixed materials. The Priority School Building Programme has continued this trend while driving down costs.
Public financing
The need for new classrooms and school facilities has led to several proposals in Congress focusing on school construction finance. These include an increase in federal lending and creation of a federal school construction program that would share the cost with state and local governments. Both of these proposals have not yet passed, but the prospects for their passage are very good.
However, public financing of educational construction does come with certain pitfalls. For one, such a program would expand the federal government’s power. Initially, it would provide cash to build or renovate schools, but the federal government could easily add additional controlling strings, destroying local control over public education. Furthermore, it would divert public money from other public needs. So, it’s important to understand all possible outcomes of such a program.
Another option is a private company, which could provide the money needed for renovations. This option may not only result in significant cost savings, but it can also improve quality of construction. One developer who won the right to build five schools in Rhode Island was Nova Learning, Inc. Its buildings were awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Design Award in Architecture in 1998.
The School Construction Authority (SCA) works to design and build safe, attractive, and environmentally-sound public schools. The agency’s mission is to provide the best public education possible, and to do so efficiently and with the utmost integrity and quality. In addition, the New York City Educational Construction Fund (NYCECF) provides funding for school construction projects and also encourages mixed-use real estate development.
The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2017 includes $100 million for Impact Aid Section 7007. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also included $100 million for the Impact Aid construction line item. These funds are distributed through formula grants and discretionary grants to school districts in 26 states. However, the amount provided is not enough to support the entire need of school construction in these districts.
School construction management is a vital issue facing school boards and budgets. Between 2005 and 2010, school districts will need to build or renovate approximately 6,447 new classrooms. This will require over $10 billion in state and local government funding. In addition, over 44,492 existing classrooms will need to be modernized.
Environmental concerns
Environmental concerns in educational construction are often overlooked, but they are important to the future health of our children. Children spend at least 30 hours per week in school, and they are exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. For example, climate change could affect indoor air quality, increasing the risk of exposure to toxic materials left behind by floods. Furthermore, increasing evidence points to the presence of nascent environmental hazards, including increased displaced populations and shifting geographic ranges of vector-borne diseases.
Environmental concerns in educational construction can be addressed in several ways. For example, proper siting is critical to achieving a healthy school environment. School districts should consider all applicable requirements when undertaking renovation or construction. The guidance provided below should help them determine how best to address their environmental concerns. In addition, they should consider occupant health when making building decisions.
A common environmental concern is the use of hazardous materials, such as lead and asbestos. These pollutants were common in educational buildings during the 1950s and early 1970s. According to Bob Herrick, a Harvard University public health researcher, as many as one-third of the 130,000 school buildings in the U.S. may still contain PCB-containing caulk and light fixtures. Furthermore, they may still be present in paint chips and floor tiles. Long-term exposure to PCBs is hazardous to human health and increases the risk of chronic diseases. Short-term exposure to PCBs can cause short-term symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. However, EPA regulations forbid the use of PCBs in schools and other buildings.
For more information about how to address these environmental issues, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website for guidance and resources. The EPA has published a guide to help educators address indoor air quality and energy efficiency in educational buildings. The guide identifies best practices that can help schools meet the goals of the National Environmental Policy Act and improve health and safety.
Several factors must be considered when assessing a building site and the surrounding neighborhood. First, the building envelope and landscaping are important elements of whole building design, which focuses on the interaction between the building and the site. Second, building construction and deconstruction contribute significant quantities of solid waste, which is deposited in landfills. Finally, building construction and demolition can lead to habitat destruction and air pollution.
Design requirements
The design requirements for educational construction are similar to those of other types of buildings. In general, they concentrate on the function and image of the university, specialist facilities and self-learning spaces, and flexibility of space. Design requirements for educational construction are often prescriptive and are often outlined in the Bulletins for new schools. These documents specify key design requirements for schools, offices and lecture theatres. They may also specify the size of classrooms. Multi-storey student residences and sports facilities may also be included in the design.
For low-rise educational buildings, moment-resisting connections are recommended, which can eliminate the need for bracing. However, bracing is still useful for planning purposes. In addition to moment-resistance connections, the university sector often makes use of innovative construction methods such as large atria and exposed floor soffit.
New educational buildings must meet stringent performance standards and provide flexible spaces that can be reconfigured to meet the evolving educational needs. They must also be environmentally friendly and safe. The design should also take into account the wellbeing of staff and pupils, including the study environment and community involvement. And of course, it must be energy-efficient.
Steel construction is a good choice for educational construction because of its flexibility. It is easy to construct and can reduce the amount of disruption. It is an eco-friendly choice, because steel is a non-combustible material and is recyclable multiple times. Off-site manufacturing also reduces the amount of waste generated and results in higher quality. In addition to off-site manufacturing, steel construction is also a good option, as it is fast and efficient.
As part of the design process, architects also consider the educational goals of each school and integrate those goals into the design. In addition, they also take into account the school’s cultural identity and the needs of the neighborhood. Then, they draft schematic design studies and drawings to be presented to the district. These drawings are used to approve the design and to review its content.
While most of the population is now centered in cities, schools in the future will need to integrate seamlessly with their surroundings. Wi-Fi access, smart ‘boards’ and ‘walls’, and lines of sight are just a few of the requirements for a school of the future.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency in educational construction is a topic that is gaining popularity internationally. There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of educational construction. First, you can start by studying the energy usage of school buildings. By using a building simulation model, you can calculate the energy consumption of a school building. Second, you can make energy conservation measures like changing the type of lighting. These steps can reduce energy consumption by up to 2.3%.
There are many methods to improve energy efficiency, including retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient features. In many cases, tried-and-tested methods can result in better value for money. In addition, you can seek the help of LEED administrators or K-12 designers to improve the energy efficiency of educational facilities.
Energy efficiency in educational construction is crucial to ensure the comfort and productivity of teachers and students. A healthy school environment supports learning and academic growth. However, the school buildings themselves use large amounts of energy. Many buildings in Kurdistan don’t incorporate energy efficiency measures. This has to change. If you want to make your school buildings more comfortable for students, you can install solar photovoltaic panels. A 29-kW array will generate PS5,000 worth of electricity per year.
As an added incentive, consider offering an energy-efficient econ award to the classroom that has the highest KPI in energy-efficiency. These awards are intended to motivate classrooms to make the most energy-efficient improvements. The school management can give out points to the students who have the best energy-efficient classrooms.
The Department of Energy has announced a new $500 million grant program to improve energy efficiency in educational facilities. The funding will help schools reduce energy costs and improve air quality, while also freeing up school districts to spend more money on education. This program will support comprehensive energy audits and lighting upgrades, along with clean energy installation and training for school staff.
Another important element of energy-efficient educational construction is the addition of ventilation. Buildings with ventilation systems are often designed to minimize air leakage. This type of ventilation system will keep rooms cool and help keep students healthy. A good ventilation system can also improve a school’s indoor and outdoor conditions.
Podobne tematy