At just another regular day of meetings at school district office, I (Ellen) just had to laugh. Even with well-informed architects in the building, there was one room with the heater on and another room with the door open and the air conditioner pumping away. Yap, we have a problem. It brought flashbacks to a day I met with the facilities staff at a school district. They told me, in no uncertain terms, there will be no operable windows in the District. What no operable windows?!? We are in California. Fall, spring and lately half of winter, big savings could come from using what Mother Nature is providing by opening a window. They added, not so jokingly, if only we could control the doors too. At the time I was beside myself. Today, however, on some level, I understand. This is not the first meeting I have been in where doors and windows are open with the air conditioner on and it is hotter outside than in. Still, I don’t think total crackdown is the best answer. A
Reflections on the built environment, how we interact with it and the process of planning and designing from someone who grew up with educators, goes on assessments and tours and facilitates the planning process for many schools and other organizations.