Facilities Planning

The article discusses the steps in preparing a facilities master plan to improve learning in an institution. The facilities master plan is a long range look at the development of the school's facilities. There are three steps which include analyzing what an institution have, determining what is needed in the future, and creating the plan to transition the school from its current situation to the future.

The article focuses on handicapped accessibility of campus facilities and historical structures and landscapes on colleges. It comments on the Lawn at the University of Virginia which was designed by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1820s and the need to use alleyways outside the Lawn for wheelchair-bound students to access all the levels. It comments on factors that have delayed implementation of the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act at colleges, including finances and topography.

The article looks at the comprehensive baseline assessment of all facilities at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Considered were the historical and structural integrity of buildings, core components of the campus, and its heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) which was at their priority. Highlighted was the importance over the conduct of assessments as it could reduce exposure to additional costs.

The article presents information related to the construction a new campus by St. Louis Community College in St. Louis County, Montana. The orientation of campus buildings has been planned to take advantage of views, conserve energy, and use daylight to provide 75-85 percent of indoor lighting. If not green roofs, buildings will be designed with reflective roofs to reduce heat gain. While the planning team is considering use of renewable power, energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems will be part of the building design.

The article discusses the infrastructure upgrades of educational institutions to meet the needs of students. Highlighted are proposed upgrades in U.S. based schools like the design proposal for the Canyon View High School in Arizona whose principle involves giving students total control of their learning, and the Exploris School who integrated sustainability and environmental stewardship in the construction of its new campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The article discusses the things to consider when planning for the next-generation educational facilities. The author talks about the roles of technology and innovative learning modalities in reshaping schools and universities. He cites that changing the culture is the first step in designing for the future facilities. He also emphasizes the importance of designing solutions that are future-proof.

In 2005, Swarthmore College opened a new science building that for the first time brought biologists, chemists, computer scientists, mathematicians, and physicists together under one roof. The project was partly a result of renovation needs on the campus, but it also reflected what was then a budding new interest in designing buildings to encourage interaction among faculty members in different disciplines.

Based on best practices and proven research, The Facility Management Handbook has long been the go-to resource for professionals in the field. Extensively updated for the realities of today's workplace, the third edition provides readers with the tools and guidance they need to wipe out inefficiency and create a productive facility that integrates people, place, and process. Covering a broad range of topics from space planning and maintenance to benchmarking and outsourcing, readers will gain practical insight into how they can: • design, construct and maintain facilities using sustainable practices • provide a safe, attractive work environment that supports productivity • ensure that facility plans match organizational needs • plan and control capital expenditures • address critical security and emergency preparedness issues Complete with case studies and indispensable information on sustainability and post-9/11 security concerns, this is still the ultimate resource for facility managers.

The article stresses the importance of a master plan in successfully designing a unified campus, whose landscape gives it an inviting aesthetic and seasonal identity. The master plan provides consistency and rationale not only in all landscaping elements but also for future additions, changes and improvements. The article describes Boston College of Massachusetts' revamp of its landscape carried out by Geller DeVellis landscape architects.

The article focuses on the move of many U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) to share their facilities with the community. Some IHEs collaborate with local public entities to finance, design and operate buildings. Hillier Architecture principal Joseph C. Rizzo states that shared-used facilities adopt sustainability. Library director Harriett MacDougall cites the importance of a well-documented contract agreement. It lists the factors to consider in planning for shared-use facility projects.

The article provides information on how to create effectively a more visually appealing campus to attract prospective students as noted by Sarah Hempstead, project manager and principal at Schmidt Associates Inc., a design firm in the U.S. Comfort features must be considered in creating an attractive campus, such as pavement types, the use of signage, and construction of public restrooms. It notes that comfort features are effective ways in improving campus to attract students.

Prepared by the International Facility Management Association

In today’s academic landscape, higher education administrators are under increasing pressure to keep their institutions competitive and on the cutting edge, despite diminishing budgets and rising costs. A strategic facilities plan (SFP) can give your college or university the tools it needs to not only survive, but thrive in these increasingly competitive times.