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Leading & Empowering Organizations to Design Programs & Age-Appropriate Learning Environments for Students According to Educational Engineering Principles!


  • Public and independent schools
  • Faith-based schools
  • Public and private agencies
  • International clients
Featuring: 
  • Community involvement
  • School personnel
    Involvement
  • Stakeholder participation
  • Educational Engineering Principles
  • Scientific Educational Planning
Results:
  • Goals, Values, and Beliefs to Support Educational Specifications
    • Concept Design
    • Illustrative Design
    • Diagrammatic Design
  • Architects Complete Design According to the Design Team's Specifications
  • Schematic Design
  • Capital Cost Estimates
  • New School
Special Assistance for Schools Seeking:
 
 LEED Certification and
 Green School Status
Building a new school may not be the right thing to do.  Here are some views of Lowell Junior High School, Bisbee, Arizona -- A successful renovation project!



Click the images for a larger view.

Lowell Junior High School, Bisbee, AZ

Lowell Junior High School, Bisbee, AZ

Lowell Junior High School, Bisbee, AZ


Planning

The TFPG assists in leading public, independent, and faith-based school organizations through the process of developing their educational buildings according to functional educational engineering principles.  We work with architectural firms throughout the planning process or independently up through the development of a concept design.    

Essential Activities for Engineering & Planning a Student-Friendly School

The TFPG teaches stakeholders and owners scientific facts about school functions necessary to achieve excellence in education and high-performing schools. 

An Example of Activity-Milestones to be Completed and Monitored by the "Design Team"

Pre Planning

The TFPG employs educational engineering principles, embedded in strategic planning phases, that maximize student learning, minimize discipline problems, and enhance cultural, and value-building experiences during the formative years. 
  1. Complete area analysis
  2. Develop student population forecast (for public schools)
  3. Conduct scientific program evaluation
  4. Conduct a scientific facility evaluation
  5. Define focused goals, multidimensional values, and culture of the school organization
  6. Develop specific goals and values for concept design, with emphasis on green architecture
  7. Link goals and objectives to concept design and educational specifications
  8. Complete concept design
  9. Select a school site
  10. Finalize other necessary activities to meet goals of engineering science.  Read About the Strategic Planning Phases >>>

Pre Construction

At this time, the TFPG may help the organization select the appropriate architect.  Then we may work closely with the architect to ensure that the concept design is explained and converted into the appropriate schematic drawings.
  1. Select an appropriate architect (if TFPG works independently through Phase I)
  2. Translate the concept design and educational specifications, with emphasis on green architecture, into preliminary schematic design
  3. Define furniture needs
  4. Specify technology
  5. Complete all specifications
  6. Obtain professional cost estimates
  7. Select a program or construction manager
  8. Facilitate the bidding process

Final Design

  1. Review all designs and specifications
  2. Finalize technology requirements
  3. Order furniture
  4. Check all contracts for operational and legal issues

Construction

  1. Award contracts
  2. Begin construction
  3. Operationalize monitoring schedule
  4. Facilitate change order(s)
  5. Review legal issues
  6. Complete construction

 Commissioning

  1. Facilitate building commissioning
  2. Complete equipment commissioning
  3. Finalize technology commissioning

 Occupancy

    a.  Provide orientation
    b.  Complete final walk through

Questions The TFPG Will Help Schools Answer:

Selected definitions of activities that TFPG uses in communicating with stakeholders:

  1. Needs Assessment > Are programs and facilities adequate or below the needs of the school population?
  2. Student Population Forecasting > What will the size and mix of the student population be within 10 to 20 years?
  3. Program Evaluation > What type of programs will best serve the student population?
  4. Facilities Evaluation > What is the best way to proceed? Do we build a new school, renovate or remodel?
  5. Educational Engineering > How does the application of engineering science enhance school design?
  6. Goals for Design > How do we know that we are developing an appropriate design for the school facility?
  7. Design > Can the design team determine which concept design will best complement teaching style and student learning?
  8. Programming > How much detail should the design team demand for educational specifications?
  9. Architect Selection > What architect is best to ensure that the concept design is actually included in the construction documents?
  10. Project Cost Estimates (Including Site Acquisition and/or Site Preparation) > Is a professional cost estimator necessary for this project?
  11. Technology Definition and Acquisition > What kind of technology should we implement?
  12. Assistance with Funding > Will the project need extra assistance with funding?
  13. Bidding > What  bidding procedures will eliminate or minimize funding problems and save time?
  14. Contract Set Up > How much legal assistance will be needed in contracting and construction?
  15. Contractor Selection > How can the project avoid pitfalls with contractors?
  16. Furniture Selection > When should the furniture selection process begin?
  17. Construction Monitoring > Will the project need an independent construction monitor?
  18. Commissioning > Will a commissioning agent be necessary?
  19. Occupation > What are the best procedures for transitioning to the occupation of the school facility?
  20. Orientation > Is orientation necessary?
  21. Final Walk-Through > When does the final walk-through occur and who is involved?
©  Tanner Forecasting and Planning Group

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