Table of Contents

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
The $2 Trillion Mistake 1
How Traditional School Design Fails Our Kids

CHAPTER 1
“Reading” School Buildings 25
A Visual Literacy Primer

CHAPTER 2
A Welcoming Message 45
Entries and Common Areas

CHAPTER 3
Capturing More Space for Learning 61
Reconfiguring Classrooms and Hallways

CHAPTER 4
Integrated Learning Areas 83
Labs, Studios, and Do-It-Yourself Spaces

CHAPTER 5
Making Room for Collaboration 105
Professional Space for Teachers

CHAPTER 6
Putting People and Ideas Together 115
The Changing Role of the School Library

CHAPTER 7
Beyond the Classroom Window 129
Bringing Learning Outdoors

CHAPTER 8
From Cafeterias to Cafe´s 145
Celebrating Community

CONCLUSION
Putting Theory into Practice 159
Where Should Schools Begin?

APPENDIX A
Educational Effectiveness Survey 175
Elementary School Facilities

APPENDIX B
Educational Effectiveness Survey 179
Middle and High School Facilities

Notes 185
Acknowledgments 197
About the Author 199
Index 201

About the Author

Prakash Nair is the founding president of Fielding Nair International, an award-winning school planning and design firm with consultations in thirty-eight countries. Prior to establishing Fielding Nair International, Nair worked as the director of operations for the world’s largest school construction program in New York City, USA.

Reviews

"His intriguing and informative book Blueprint for Tomorrow: Redesigning Schools for Student-Centered Learning successfully proves that the effective use of space is of paramount importance and needs to be prioritized...Regardless of a school's budget for renovation, this is a book all educators need to familiarize themselves with." --Matthew Pariselli, Green Teacher

"Nair gives a Blueprint for Tomorrow, thoroughly explaining how today's education dollars can be spent for tomorrow's success." --Jackie Craven, ThoughtCo.

"This book will be a welcome addition to the library of any school administrator who wants to look beyond standardized testing and prescribed curricula for ways to improve learning. Teachers will be enthused by the emphasis on removing barriers to learning that inhibit their efforts. Parents will notice and welcome the improvements. And, most importantly, students will be stimulated by their new environment and motivated to expand their learning."--John C. Fagan, School Administrator