TruexCullins
East Montpelier Elementary School

The Whole Child Framework – Part III: Learning

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A Framework for Understanding the Goals of School Design Introduction: This article is part three of a four part series exploring the Whole Child framework. The final article will discuss Engagement in further detail. In the article on “Wellness”, we discussed how the goal of creating a safe, healthy and accessible school provides a solid […]

School Facility in Moscow

Moscow Economic School Construction Underway

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Construction is underway of a new middle and high school building designed by TruexCullins on the Zaitsevo Campus of the Moscow Economic School (MES) in Moscow, Russia. Located in the western region of Moscow, the 12,700 SQM (136,000 SF) campus facility includes space for classrooms, administration offices, a 500-seat theater, library, gymnasium and natatorium. A […]

School Design

Digital Crayon: Flexible Building Technology

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In the last article, we discussed issues related to building organization. In this article, we discuss what building technologies to consider when attempting to create flexible learning environments. The key concept here is that successful multipurpose space requires more than open space, it requires multipurpose support infrastructure including lighting, electrical power, acoustics and HVAC. Here […]

Diagram provided by Frank Locker, PhD

Digital Crayon: Writing Educational Specifications

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When beginning a facilities project, it is important for the Owner to define the various goals of the project. Is it to improve collaboration between students or teachers? Is it to provide social spaces that help build a sense of community? Does the school need additional capacity? The Educational Specifications (Ed Specs) is a document […]

Education Facility Designer | David Epstein

Digital Crayon: Article 12- School Design for the Whole Child

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For a few years now, we have been giving a presentation entitled “Design for the Whole Child”, which describes our view of the goal of school design. The thesis is this: the mission of schools has expanded to address the needs of the whole child: academic, social, emotional and physical. When we design schools, we […]

Digital Crayon: Article 7 – Technology in Schools

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posted by David Epstein, AIA, LEED AP In our last conversation, we looked at the Learning Commons (aka Library) and started discussing technology. This is a subject worth spending a little more time on. While schools we work with are all increasingly integrating technology into the learning experience, they are all at different parts of […]