Educating America’s children is no simple feat, as anyone involved with schooling on a professional basis can attest. Even beyond the scope of administrators, teachers, and other educational professionals, the wellbeing of a school’s or school district’s children is the ultimate goal of anyone involved in advancing the noble goals of an academic institution.

That objective should be clear even from the time that a budget is set aside for the purpose of designing and constructing a new facility or remodeling an existing structure. So many variables come into play that the most successful endeavors usually result from the tight-knit teamwork of school district, architect, general contractor, sub-contractors, and other professionals who often work together from conception to realization of the final achievement. The process of planning a new or expanded facility can and should involve the community as well as the school district and design professionals (see inset).

Indeed, the backbone of any community is its schools. Because of this, any professional involved in the design, construction, and planning process should make community reinforcement a top priority when designing and planning educational facilities. A good way to accomplish this is by marshalling community construction resources, reinforcing cultural heritage, and addressing community technology needs (see inset).

There are several major contracting methods available. One contracting method will work best for one community while others work best for other communities. For example, an area with many general contractors may indicate the design-bid-build method; another community, with just a few general contractors, but with access to one or more construction managers, may indicate the construction management method.

Regardless of the professionals involved, the end result in planning, design, and construction of a school or other educational facility must satisfy a number of audiences. After all, clever creative concepts and elegant designs are hollow victories if they do not meet bottom-line expectations. Simply put, no matter how delightful an architectural idea, its impact is muted if the building in question fails to serve a utilitarian purpose for the local citizenry as well as the school itself.

A solid way to begin community reinforcement is with construction and delivery processes that use the construction resources a community can provide. Working with local program managers, construction managers, and design-build or general contractors is a smart way to ensure that a project receives optimal attention.

Funding always is a critical factor in moving a school district or educational institution from dream to reality. Generally, the most efficient method of money flow is from the district and any other financial source, such as a bond issue passed by district voters, directly to the developer. Subsequently, that developer will allocate specific amounts of the budget to an architect and a general contractor.

A most effective way for an architectural firm or general contractor to maximize ability and resources when working on a specific project is to enlist the aid of local subcontractors. These folks generally are knowledgeable about the best and most efficient ways of getting things done to the satisfaction of local hierarchies, and how to expedite services most agreeably. The decision to use concrete or asphalt, for example, may hinge upon the skills and inclinations of local subcontractors.

Keeping in mind the particular needs of an individual project, as well as the parameters of that specific job, is essential in maintaining a smooth and orderly approach to following a timeline, adhering to a budget, and having the capability to adapt to any changes or differences in thought that might develop along the way.

At Kromm, Rikimaru & Johansen, which has specialized in designs for educational institutions throughout our 51-year history, we have learned certain fundamental truths that apply to projects large and small:

• structure the project to fit construction resources within the community;

• build upon the existing heritage of the community; and

• embrace the future through innovative technology.

Investment in up-to-date technology is another important element that needs to be incorporated into the mix in the design and construction stage of work. Utilizing CAD software, 3-D visualization, and Web-based communication and information technology all enable a construction team to improve communication between all parties involved, extend each practitioner’s skills, and provide greater accuracy in the work at hand.

Often, early involvement of conceptual analysis can be key in effective decision-making. Computer-based analysis, for example, can provide design direction as well as generate deeper ideas. The analysis process allows the entire team to gain understanding about issues and opportunities that shape a project. Frequently, conceptual analysis simply confirms what already is suspected, but also it introduces additional design concepts that might not have been discovered without it, thus advancing the design process.

Undertaking a school project requires additional, outside factors as well. Getting a good school project successfully completed takes the collective good will and effort of the school’s administrators and the community in which the institution is located, and even the cooperation of Mother Nature. Indeed, familiarity with local climatic conditions can have an impact on the types of materials used in the construction phase.

Understanding the personality of a local community is one of the most important factors when weighing the impact of the planning, design, and construction phase of a new facility or remodeled structure. In the age of a global economy, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a particular region can translate into a more satisfying and successful undertaking, both economically and aesthetically.

Certainly, one of the most significant aspects of any facility project is flexibility. The more flexible a project is, the more educational options are available to a school or district in the future. While designing a classroom, for example, it might make great sense to consider placing more data outlets than needed to take care of future needs. Optimizing resources of a physical location is a sound way to stretch a budget later.

Walls can be installed so that they can be refigured easily. An extra doorway can be factored in so that a large room might some day be reconfigured into two smaller ones. Instead of losing wall space, the face of some storage cabinets can double as white boards, or include built-in tack strips, or corkboard-covered doors.

There are other, less obvious but equally important aspects to consider when planning for an educational facility. For example, consider that there are three well-known modalities of learning: (a) auditory learners who hear instruction and remember it; (b) visual learners who see instruction and remember it; and (c) kinesthetic learners who obtain knowledge by doing something such as touching, building, assembling, creating, or writing. A well-designed project will allow for all three types of learning to be applied in the newly created or remodeled structure.

Also, classroom designs must be adaptable. Traditional rows of seating still are used, but a room and its furnishings must have the ability to immediately rearrange into multiple small work groups separated by enough space that students can work independently, then come back together as a group to present conclusions, etc. Flexibility in structure design and construction can permit this type of spontaneity. As an example, an alcove in a room provides a great place to give special instruction during a class.

Regardless of the specific project, each building should demonstrate unity and versatility in its optimal use of energy efficiency, adaptability to new technologies, and flexibility for expansion, even while answering the needs of diverse groups of people throughout an entire community. Tailoring energy-efficient buildings, for example, can conserve both energy and financial resources of a school district.

In the end, keeping the goals and objectives of the school and its different audiences in mind is the best way to bring a fully realized and ultimately successful project to the powers in charge. Careful pre-planning, negotiating, and understanding all can go a long way to delivering the goods in stylish and laudable fashion.

David Kromm is president and owner of Kromm, Rikimaru & Johansen, Inc. (KRJ), a St. Louis-based architectural firm that offers complete architectural services including master planning and architectural and interior design. The company’s practice focuses on“architecture that builds communities” in three distinct areas: educational, religious and civic facilities. For more information, contact 314/432-7020 or www.krjarch.com.