Services
Forecasting Student Population
One of the first activities in planning for schools is to determine how many students will be served. For independent schools this issue is usually determined by the governing board, but in the public school setting, forecasting student population is absolutely a necessity. Looking 5 - 50 years ahead is desirable. TFPG provides high quality, rapid, student population forecasting services at very competitive rates (Ask About Scheduling Our Services).
Educational Planning
The TFPG will lead a school system or independent
school through the entire facilities planning process and assist in
selecting the appropriate architect. Planning activities should
be led by qualified educational planners prior to selection of the
architect.
This approach helps to ensure that all educational functions are
included in the concept design of the school. This is the time-tested,
traditional way to build schools and allows the function that is to
take place in a space to be given the very
first consideration. Then, form provided by the architect can follow or
facilitate the educational function. In acquiring assistance in
building schools, we
suggest that educational planners are the very best persons to link
educational programs to space needs. Educational planners at TFPG
provide better services when working independently form architectural
firms. The TFPG planners have absolutely no pre-conceived notion as to
what the exact design of the school might be. Independent
planners such as those working with TFPG have no ties to a particular
school design and they can lead the stakeholders through the concept
design and then work as a team with the selected architectural firm to
ensure that the stakeholders get what they want, need, and pay for.
This approach allows for the creativity of the community to guide the
design process without limitations from pre-determined building plans.
We most frequently begin educational planning activities by conducting pre-planning and pre-design forums so clients may consider information on how the built learning environment influences behavior and attitude. Our design concepts, founded on results of SDPL studies, influence behavior and learning positively. The TFPG is committed to involving a broad community base in planning for schools; and employs participatory methods to develop educational design, educational specifications, and illustrative design; setting the stage for schematic design and architectural drawings.
Forums and Services:
- Concept Design
- Student Population Forecasting
- Strategic Planning for a Capital Project
- LEED® Certification
Request a Program Evaluation Quote from TFPG
Functions are First!
Provide A Budget for Educational Planning (minimum of 1% of expected
total cost of the capital project).
Develop Student Population Estimates.
Review the Educational Program and Demographics.
Decide What, When, and Where Regarding the Educational Program.
Establish Educational Facility Needs.
Complete Pre-Planing and Pre-Design Activities Before Contracting for
Architectural Services.
"Functions first" translates to "we must know what we are going to do
in a space before we try to design it." A prototype
already in existence is a sure way to conflict with unique community
expectations! People and communities are not alike, neither
should their schools all look alike. Prototypes bring "likeness" to all
schools, ensuring the continued erosion of creativity in students and
communities.

