SCHOOL DESIGN & PLANNING LABORATORYPlanning
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The SDPL offers Basic and Advanced Planning Services to clients in the state of Georgia to ensure students that their school buildings are developed according to functional, research-based designs that maximize learning, minimize discipline problems, and enhance their cultural experiences during the formative years.
Focused, and Strategic Planning Seminars For Public
and
Independent Schools Public
and Private Agencies International
Clients Featuring Community InvolvementSchool Personnel Involvement Resulting in: Goals
for Specifications Concept
Design Illustrative
Design Diagrammatic
Design Architect Selection Schematic
Design Capital
Funding Estimates Plus
Other Vital Steps
 Including Schools
Seeking Certification of Facilities |
Essential Activities in Planning
a Student-Friendly School
PrefaceA vital aspect of planning is informing certain school personnel and stakeholders that school buildings are more than boxes where students are stored until High School Graduation. So, providing valid and reliable information for decision-makers is the very first step in doing a capital project "right." The SDPL starts with an orientation PROGRAM that we have labeled "FOCUSED STRATEGIC PLANNING." This includes PRE DESIGN and PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES that help lead to closure on concept design and diagrammatic design for a school. Stakeholders work through the process of developing goals for concept design from “surprise-free” scenarios founded on research-based design patterns from which the illustrative and diagrammatic designs are derived. From diagrammatic design the participants can visualize what they want, thereby ensuring a sound school design with age-appropriate spaces for learning. Once the school and community have participated in the Pre-Design and Pre-Planning activities, they are ready to launch a capital project with direction and purpose. Initial Activities Here are some examples of Activities that may follow the Pre-Design and Pre-Planning Activities: [Some activities may occur simultaneously!] 1. Needs Assessment > What programs and facilities do we have? What programs and facilities do we need? 2. Student Population Forecasting > This activity is completed in various formats - Basic, Advanced, and Long-Range. Go to TFPG for more information. 3. Program Evaluation > Program evaluation is usually tied into the needs assessment. 4. Facilities Evaluation > There are several ways to accomplish the evaluation of existing facilities; including sophisticated check lists to be completed and analyzed, inspections to be performed, and discussions to take place with those who use the facilities. "Remodel, retrofit, or build a new structure? These are some of the questions that arise." We have formulas that assist with this aspect of pre-planning. See our cooperating partners for more on this topic. 5. Programming > The purpose of "programming" is to set the stage for the final architectural design. 6. Goals for Design > SDPL provides leadership in developing goals for design, including LEED™ Certification. 7.
Design
>
SDPL provides a means for stakeholders to get involved in Concept
Design (general design) leading to illustrative design
development
(detailed illustrations) and diagrammatic design necessary for
completion of schematic drawings and educational specifications
Advanced Activities 8. Project Cost Estimates (Including Site Acquisition and/or Site Preparation) > SDPL highly recommends the use of professional cost estimators for this vital aspect of planning. 9.
Assistance with Funding 10.
Bidding 11.
Contract Set Up 12.
Architect Selection 13.
Contractor Selection 14.
Furniture Selection 15. Construction Monitoring 16.
Commissioning 17.
Occupation/ Commissioning 18.
Orientation
International Clients and those outside the State of Georgia may inquire about how our cooperating partners can help in completing pre-design and pre-planning activities and schematic drawings for their educational facility needs. Current technology is employed to communicate, design, and deliver a project to a client outside the State of Georgia, ensuring minimum costs. Once schematic drawings are completed, clients, with the help of their architects, may integrate their local cultural and community values into a project, thereby ensuring cultural preservation. We
work with clients that are constrained
by prototype designs in
maximizing modifications to help maintain community identity and
culture.
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Major
Planning Activities:
Needs
Assessment
Student Population Forecasting
Program
Evaluation
Goals for Design
Development
of
Concept Design
Illustrative Design
Diagrammatic Design
Schematic Design
Project
Cost Estimates
Funding
Options
Site
Selection
Bidding
Contract
Set Up
Architect
Selection
Contractor
Selection
Furniture
Selection
Construction Monitoring
Occupation/Commissioning
Orientation
POE
Evaluation