As numerous schools and universities put the final touches on construction projects this summer, a new study pegs the additional cost education institutions can expect to pay for complying with recent acoustical standards in classrooms.
According to a study conducted by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and ATS&R Architects/Engineers, the additional cost to retrofit classrooms to meet the American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) Standard 12.60, “Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools” is between 4 and 19 percent.
Most education institutions have seen a sharp spike in construction costs over the past couple of years on everything from concrete to steel. But as the majority of price increases were related to specific products or systems, the percentage increase to comply with ANSI's classroom acoustical standard is directly related to steps and costs required to improve the learning environment. To review an executive summary of the report, visit www.ari.org.
Creating exceptional learning environments is the basis for American School & University's Educational Interiors Showcase. Now in its 15th year, the projects highlighted in this year's competition reflect the best in school and university interiors. With a record 105 projects, administrators looking for creative ideas and concepts for their next construction project can view outstanding learning environments created at education institutions nationwide.
To judge this year's entries, AS&U assembled a panel of prestigious education and architectural professionals (see p. 12 and p. 14). Two days were spent reviewing projects and selecting citations, which begin on p. 16. Special thanks go out to Lisa Johnson, Steve Morlino and Marty Shaub for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help in the judging and share their expertise.
Of course, the concepts and ideas presented in this sourcebook are possible only because of the education institutions and architectural firms that continually stretch the limits to create learning environments that best meet the needs of today's students, with an eye to building facilities that will serve future generations. Our thanks to you for setting the standard and sharing your vision.
SCORECARD
4 TO 19
Percent increase in school construction costs as a result of adhering to ANSI's Standard 12.60, “Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools.”
Source: ARI and ATS&R.
15
Number of years AS&U's Educational Interiors Showcase has been published — the first and most prestigious national competition honoring outstanding school and university interior environments.
105
Number of school and university projects selected for inclusion in the 2005 Educational Interiors Showcase.
18
Number of citations awarded in this year's competition by an independent jury of education administrators and architectural professionals.
13
Number of projects from Texas, the state with the most schools and universities featured in this year's Educational Interiors Showcase competition. Illinois followed with 12 projects.
