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.