Welcome to the School Design and Planning Laboratory at the University of Georgia, Educational Facilities Planning, Student Population Forecasting and Demographic Analysis, School Facilities Planning, Planning Independent Schools, Physical Learning Environments,concept design, scheematic design,strategic planning, construction, technology, education, facility, building, plan,LEED Certification, green buildings, architect, AIA, outdoor learning, environment,cefpi

About the SDPL & FPDM Programs
Planning activities require a wide range of knowledge, skills, patience, and a genuine concern for people that use a facility. The School Design and Planning Laboratory (SDPL), since 1997, has served as an International information source, encouraging the involvement of a broad community base in planning for educational facilities. One major success has been the involvement of UGA graduate students in training and the practice of planning and designing facilities. The influence and success of this program has extended beyond UGA.

One special extension and success has been for graduate students at Johns Hopkins University. As visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Tanner applied Focused Strategic Planning methods in facilities development that was conceptualized and tested at UGA. A noteworthy success of the SDPL and Johns Hopkins collaboration was led and inspired by a graduate student from Florida that proposed "Green Design for Schools", The result was special changes at Saint Andrew's School, Florida. Contact SDPL for more information on this project.

As of July 2009, the SDPL began expanding teaching and research areas beyond schools to emphasize planning, design, and management of other types of facilities, including work place, health care, and recreational spaces. Students and practitioners interested in the growing job market of facilities planning, design, and management should apply to enroll in facilities courses in the Department of Workforce Education, Leadership, and Social Foundations at the University of Georgia.

Historically, the Primary Purpose of of the SDPL was to promote effective, unbiased leadership in all focused strategic planning and design activities for public and independent school systems and public agencies. Our aim was to minimize error in forecasting, planning, and design through current technology, research, and client participation. This goal is now extend to the three new areas of emphasis.

The SDPL had its beginning in 1997 through a grant funded by the Georgia Board of Regents. The purpose was to expand educational facilities planning courses at UGA by utilizing new media and Internet technology, while providing a source of research and training regarding how the physical environment influences behavior and attitudes. The SDPL Web site averages 1560 page views per month, representing 27 countries and 14 languages (Source: Site Meter, Inc., 2009). Research, service, and teaching activities as a result of the Regents' grant may be reviewed at this SDPL Internet site.

Pre-design and pre-planning activities may be conducted by the SDPL for business, industry, and health care units; and recreational and educational organizations. The SDPL and FPDM Program, with our new emphasis, welcomes planning partners to help us plan and design facilities according to research-based principles! Best practices, while sometimes good for some situations, are always questioned, since what worked for someone else may not work in another unique situation.

Facilities Planning, Design, & Management FPDM Program The SCHOOL DESIGN & PLANNING LABORATORY The University of Georgia / Design / Planning / Research / Services / Publications & Credits / About SDPL / Information / Home /
UGA studies show that the built environment influences behavior, attitude, productivity, and learning. The SDPL & FPDM Program serve public and private organizations by providing leadership for the improvement of facilities planning and concept design.	About the SDPL & FPDM Programs Planning activities require a wide range of knowledge, skills, patience, and a genuine concern for people that use a facility. The School Design and Planning Laboratory (SDPL), since 1997, has served as an International information source, encouraging the involvement of a broad community base in planning for educational facilities. One major success has been the involvement of UGA graduate students in training and the practice of planning and designing facilities. The influence and success of this program has extended beyond UGA. One special extension and success has been for graduate students at Johns Hopkins University. As visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Tanner applied Focused Strategic Planning methods in facilities development that was conceptualized and tested at UGA. A noteworthy success of the SDPL and Johns Hopkins collaboration was led and inspired by a graduate student from Florida that proposed "Green Design for Schools", The result was special changes at Saint Andrew's School, Florida. Contact SDPL for more information on this project. As of July 2009, the SDPL began expanding teaching and research areas beyond schools to emphasize planning, design, and management of other types of facilities, including work place, health care, and recreational spaces. Students and practitioners interested in the growing job market of facilities planning, design, and management should apply to enroll in facilities courses in the Department of Workforce Education, Leadership, and Social Foundations at the University of Georgia. Historically, the Primary Purpose of of the SDPL was to promote effective, unbiased leadership in all focused strategic planning and design activities for public and independent school systems and public agencies. Our aim was to minimize error in forecasting, planning, and design through current technology, research, and client participation. This goal is now extend to the three new areas of emphasis. The SDPL had its beginning in 1997 through a grant funded by the Georgia Board of Regents. The purpose was to expand educational facilities planning courses at UGA by utilizing new media and Internet technology, while providing a source of research and training regarding how the physical environment influences behavior and attitudes. The SDPL Web site averages 1560 page views per month, representing 27 countries and 14 languages (Source: Site Meter, Inc., 2009). Research, service, and teaching activities as a result of the Regents' grant may be reviewed at this SDPL Internet site. Pre-design and pre-planning activities may be conducted by the SDPL for business, industry, and health care units; and recreational and educational organizations. The SDPL and FPDM Program, with our new emphasis, welcomes planning partners to help us plan and design facilities according to research-based principles! Best practices, while sometimes good for some situations, are always questioned, since what worked for someone else may not work in another unique situation.
SDPL	FPDM