Building and Renovating Schools

This all-inclusive guide to building and renovating schools covers every step of the process – from initial planning, needs assessment and design, right through moving into the new facility. An essential resource for anyone concerned with new school construction or renovation, including architects and engineers, contractors and project managers, facility managers, school administrators and school board members, building committees, community leaders, and anyone else who wants to ensure that the project meets the schools’ needs in a cost-effective, timely manner.

The contributors to this book – architects, construction project managers, contractors, and estimators who specialize in school construction – provide start-to-finish, expert guidance on the process.

FEATURES:

Includes guidance on:

• Planning and design
• Selecting a design team
• Green design standards and technologies
• Integrating computer and building automation technology
• Security equipment, design approaches and cost issues
• Design considerations for specialty spaces like performing arts centers, library/media centers, computer labs, and science and art classrooms.

Acknowledgments.

About the Authors and Contributors.

Introduction.

Part I: Planning & Design.

Chapter 1: Programming and Pre-Design.

The Need for Programming and Pre-Design.

Procurement of Facilities Planning and Architectural Services.

Community Participation.

The Planning Study.

Development of a Facility Space Program.

Analysis of Existing Conditions of School Facilities.

Preparing an Information Database for Planning.

Development of Planning Solutions.

Preparation of a Facility Planning Document.

Project Timeline.

Implementation.

Case Study.

Selection of a Design Team: Architect and Engineers.

Conclusion.

Chapter 2: Green Design.

The History of Green Design.

The Importance of Green Design for Schools.

Terminology.

Standards.

Economics of Green Design.

How to Implement Green Design.

Green Design Technologies.

Case Studies.

Conclusion.

Chapter 3: Integration of Technology.

Technology Integration Defined.

Integration of Technology into a School Design.

The Technology Infrastructure: The Network.

Developing Technology Trends in Education: Moving from Pilot Programs to Mainstream.

Case Study.

The Transformation of a School.

Conclusion.

Chapter 4: Integration of Security.

Social Background of School Security Issues.

Risk Analysis.

Components of a Security Incident.

Security Design Strategies.

Physical and IT Security.

Auditing a School Facility.

Security Through Environmental Design.

Physical Security Through Technology.

IT Security.

Technology Integration.

Conclusion.

Chapter 5: Specialty Spaces.

Schools as Community Resources.

Sports Facilities.

Performing Arts Centers.

Libraries/Media Centers.

Vocational-Technical Education.

Computer Labs and Training Rooms.

Language Labs.

Science Classrooms.

Art Classrooms.

Project Rooms.

Conclusion.

Part II: The Construction Process.

Chapter 6: Cost Estimating.

Organizing the Estimate: Work Breakdown Structures.

Contractor Estimates vs. Owner Estimates.

Order of Magnitude Cost Estimates.

Occupant Unit Cost Estimates.

Square Foot Cost Estimates.

Assemblies Cost Estimates.

Unit Price Estimates.

Contingency.

Historical Cost Data.

Change Order Cost Estimates.

Reviewing Estimates Prepared by Others.

Special Considerations in Estimating School Projects.

Cost Impacts on Government-Funded Schools.

Urban Schools.

Alternative Construction Approaches.

Preservation of Older Schools.

Green Building Costs.

Value Engineering and Life Cycle Cost Evaluation.

Case Studies.

Conclusion.

Chapter 7: Scheduling a School Construction Project.

Types of Schedules.

Schedule/Cost Integration.

Practical Schedule Applications.

Schedule Variations and Purposes.

The Schedule Review Process.

Monitoring Job Progress: The Three Steps.

Using the Schedule for Progress Payments.

Key Scheduling Issues for Schools.

Scheduling Software.

Conclusion.

Chapter 8: Types of Contracts and Contractor Selection.

Contracts.

The Selection and Award Process for Construction Contracts.

Financial Risks Associated with Construction Projects.

Project Delivery Methods.

The Selection Process.

Qualifying Firms for Construction and Related Work.

Conclusion.

Chapter 9: The Importance of Project Management.

Why Project Management?

Selecting a Project Manager.

Duties of a Project Manager (PM).

Conclusion.

Chapter 10: Managing the School Construction/Renovation Process.

The Project Team.

Project Expectations Workshop.

Project Meetings.

Phasing Plan for Construction.

Project Turnover.

Managing the Move.

Conclusion.

Part III: Case Studies of Completed School Projects.

Part IV: School Construction Costs.

Glossary.

Resources.

Index

About the Authors

Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA), author of the planning and design section, is an award-winning, Boston-based architecture firm that has specialized in the design of educational facilities for over 80 years.

Joseph Macaluso, CCC, is a construction cost estimator with experience on numerous school construction projects for New York State's economic development agency.

David Lewek is president of a construction project management firm specializing in large public school projects in New England.

Brian C. Murphy, a development manager for the Beck Group in Florida, has overseen construction of a wide variety of educational facility projects.

The construction cost data was provided by RSMeans, North America's leading publisher of construction cost and reference data for more than 60 years.RSMeans is a product line of Reed Construction Data.

Building & Renovating Schools

Professional Guidance for Planning, Design & Construction of School Facilities

Aging school facilities, population growth, new learning approaches, and technology are among the factors behind school construction projects, whether additions, renovations, or entirely new buildings. School building committees and administrators must work effectively with design professionals and the general contractor to ensure that their projects meet the school's needs within budget and on schedule. It is crucial that these three project team members understand the steps involved in the project and one another's roles and requirements, as they work together to achieve a favorable end result.

The authors of this book – architects, construction project managers, contractors, and estimators who specialize in school construction – provide start-to-finish, expert guidance on the process, from early planning and design through construction and the move into the new facility.

Planning and Design

• Planning the project and selecting the design team

• "Green" Design . . . for energy savings, water conservation, and healthy air quality

• Technology . . . planning for computer and building automation systems . . . and pitfalls to avoid

• Security . . . key considerations, equipment and design, and cost issues

• Specialty Spaces . . . requirements for sports, performing arts, libraries, art and science classrooms, and other unique areas

Case Studies

Recently completed school projects – major challenges and requirements, design strategy, and final costs.

School Construction Costs for Use in Creating Budget Estimates

Cost models for elementary, middle, and high school facilities including classrooms, auditoriums, libraries,administration areas, gyms, swimming pools, and more.

The Construction Process

• The construction contract and bidding procedures

• Estimating and monitoring project costs

• The construction schedule . . . how it's developed, updated, and reported

• The project team . . . how to work together effectively to meet the school's needs