The educational facility planning process is much like the Chinese proverb says “One can’t take a bath two times in the same river”  No two planning processes are the same and each particular situation represents new challenges.  Additionally, even though nobody can predict the future, it is possible to develop a vision of what one would like the future to be, taking into account the social and economic forces that created the present. Here are some of the main points that we cover when approaching a new project.

One step after the other

Make it attractive, useful and durable

Planning.  Facilitate dialog between the educational planner and the facility planner on long term goals. Monitor population changes, calculate enrollment projections and determine current capacity for educational services. Mapping and attendance boundaries. Site selection and real estate analysis. Evaluate physical and educational adequacy.  Feasibility studies on different possible courses of action.  Specialized strategies for different educational levels, pre K and Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and High Schools, Universities. Joint use of buildings and networks of educational, cultural and economic development facilities. Formulate capital investment programs, and facilities master plans.

Design.  Educational specifications to determine architectural programming. Design specifications including area calculations, climate control, acoustics, and lighting requirements. Design evaluation and optimization. Green, sustainable and energy efficient standards. Safety and security including protection against natural disasters, as well as protection against armed interventions. Specialized design including guidelines for persons with disabilities, special education, music, art and media center rooms, laboratories and workshops for technical and vocational education;  Physical education, training and athletic facilities;  Educational technology strategy; Furniture and equipment selection and lay out.

Obtain the funds and get organized

Once you have it, protect it

Financing and program implementation: Preliminary cost estimating. Evaluation of financing alternatives. Alternative financing methods like public private partnerships, sale and lease back and performance financing.  Program management strategies, administrative procedures, technical assistance and training of staff professionals.

Operation, maintenance and use. Technical and management aspects of routine inspections, systematic component replacement, and energy savings strategies.  Design of facility information systems.  Joint use of facilities, community and other cultural, business, and social services agencies.

Consult, consult, consult

Community participation processes.  From the early stages of conceptualizing the initial vision of an educational project, defining working methodology and consultation processes, all the way through the execution of concrete policies, negotiations and working agreements.