The CAE committee addressed facility planners at the Stevensville Middle School in Queen Anne’s County
On May 8, AIABaltimore Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) co-chairs Scott Walters, AIA, LEED AP and Michael Archbold, AIA presented findings and recommendations to K-12 public school facility planners in Maryland on how to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of school design and construction in the state. The presentation was drawn from workshops and surveys conducted by the committee over the past year. Also in attendance were CAE members Laura Smyles, AIA, Jillian Storms, AIA and David Lever.
The committee advocated to maximize the value of each dollar invested in public education by focusing on the life cycle costs of schools over first time costs and the role of design and assessment in flexible learning environments. The committee also stressed the important role schools play as anchors in communities.
Recommendations were presented to develop assessment tools, close the communications gap between ed spec planners and designers, design collaborative learning environments, advocate for furniture and technology funding, share space with the community, and advance sustainability through low or no interest loans.
The Committee on Architecture for Education is currently working on a full report on their findings to present to the 21st Century School Facilities Commission.
Download the presentation.
If you’d like to hear more or be involved with the committee, the CAE meets the last Wednesday of every month at AIA Baltimore. Visit the committee’s webpage for more information.
