The TFPG
leads public, independent, and faith-based school
organizations through the process of developing their educational
buildings according to functional, research-based designs that
maximize student learning, minimize discipline problems, and enhance
cultural, and value-building
experiences during the formative years.
Essential Activities for Planning a Student-Friendly School
The
TFPG teaches stakeholders and owners facts about
school functions necessary to achieve excellence in education and
high-performing schools.
Once the
school and community
members have participated in the Pre-Design and Pre-Planning
activities, they are ready to launch a capital project with direction
and purpose.
Activities for the "Design Team"
Collaborative Pre-planning Workshop*
- Needs assessment
- Student population forecasting (for public schools)
- Program evaluation
- Facility evaluation
- Define the goals, values, and culture of the school organization
- Goals and objectives for educational specifications
- Goals and values for concept design
- Diagrammatic design
- Site selection
- Other necessary activities to meet planning goals
Collaborative Pre-design Workshop*
- Select an appropriate architect
- Architect translates the concept design and educational
specifications into preliminary schematic design
- Obtain professional cost estimates (Vital in today's economy)
- Program or construction manager selection (If applicable)
- Bidding
- Contract set-up
Final Design
- Design review
- Technology requirements
- Furniture selection
Construction
- Monitoring
- Change order(s)
- Other legal issues
Commissioning
- Building commissioning
- Equipment commissioning
- Technology commissioning
Occupancy
a. Orientationb. Final Walk Through
Twenty Questions The TFPG Will Help Schools Answer:
Here are some selected definitions of activities that TFPG uses in communicating with stakeholders:
- Needs Assessment > Are programs and facilities adequate or below the needs of the school population?
- Student Population Forecasting > What will the size and mix of the student population be within 10 to 20 years?
- Program Evaluation > What type of programs
will best serve the student population?
- Facilities Evaluation > What is the best way to proceed? Do we build a new school, renovate or remodel?
- Goals for Design > How do we know that we are
developing an appropriate design for the school facility?
- Design > Can the design team determine which
concept design will best complement student learning?
- Programming > How much detail should the
design team demand for educational specifications?
- Architect Selection > What architect is
best to ensure that the concept design is actually included in the
construction documents?
- Project Cost Estimates (Including Site Acquisition
and/or Site Preparation) > Is a professional cost
estimator necessary for this project?
- Technology Definition and Acquisition > What kind of technology should we implement?
- Assistance with Funding > Will the project
need extra assistance with funding?
- Bidding > What bidding procedures
will eliminate or minimize funding problems and save time?
- Contract Set Up > How much legal assistance will be needed in contracting and construction?
- Contractor Selection > How can the project
avoid pitfalls with contractors?
- Furniture Selection > When should the furniture selection process begin?
- Construction Monitoring > Will the project
need an independent construction monitor?
- Commissioning > Will a commissioning agent
be necessary?
- Occupation > What are the best procedures for transitioning to the occupation of the school facility?
- Orientation > Is orientation necessary?
- Final Walk-Through > When does the final
walk-through occur and who is involved?
How TFPG May Assist With Your School Planning Needs:
The TFPG can work directly with the public, independent, and faith-based school community and owners on
1: Pre-design, pre-planning, and programming activities,
2: Employment of the right architect to complete schematic design for inspection by the design team, and
3: Hiring a professional cost estimator to perform a total cost analysis.
International Clients
may inquire about how we can help in
completing pre-design and pre-planning activities and schematic
drawings for their educational facility needs. TFPG can utilize current
technology to communicate, design, and deliver a project to an
international client, ensuring minimum costs.
Planning a Student-Friendly School
Preface
Following needs assessment, student population forecasting (for
public schools), demographic analysis, and educational program and
facilities evaluations, the TFPG teaches stakeholders and owners about
school functions necessary to achieve excellence in education and
high-performing schools. The functions entail the curriculum and
programs, and the teaching and learning philosophies of the community
and school organization, which in turn require specialized, unique
spaces for learning and development. Teaching educational leaders
about valid and reliable educational practices, with emphasis on
learning spaces and community pride, culture and values, is among the
first steps in capital project planning. Student-oriented school
design begins with Pre-Planning Activities, where stakeholders consider
community-relevant concept design options for school buildings based
on sound research
and not necessarily what buildings have been constructed in another
school district - usually a district with different goals, cultures,
and values.
In the TFPG workshops, stakeholders work through the process of
what is to be taught in schools and how it is to be taught. Then
they participate in the development of goals for educational
specifications and concept design from which illustrative
and diagrammatic designs may be created. By viewing their
own program and community-relevant diagrammatic designs, the
participants can better visualize the places needed for the educational
functions, thereby ensuring the foundation for a sound overall school
design with
age-appropriate, and teacher and student-friendly spaces for learning.
Once the school and community
members have participated in the Pre-Design and Pre-Planning
activities, they are ready to launch a capital project with direction
and purpose, including the employment of an architect to develop
drawings for
professional cost estimates and bidding.
Activities for the "Design Team"
Please review the above section for examples.
* We work with clients that are constrained by prototype designs in maximizing modifications to help maintain community identity and culture.

