In today's growing educational market there are many opportunities for the concrete masonry industry. Market growth means many new schools. Concrete masonry provides durable, aesthetically pleasing, and maintenance free design options for these new schools. Concrete masonry's cost-effectiveness makes it a natural choice for responsible school districts. Maintaining market awareness and knowledge of current trends in education is crucial to developing and maximizing this market niche for concrete masonry unit (CMU) construction.

The projected outlook for kindergarten through twelfth grade construction looks good for the next 10 years due to the following factors:

Student numbers are increasing

Schools will be bigger

Older buildings will need to be updated or replaced

In 1999, $18 billion was spent on new school construction and the sum total for the next three years is projected to be $74.5 billion. Looking ahead eight years, it is estimated that 6,000 new schools will be built. At a 90% market share, construction using masonry will account for over 5,500 of those new schools.

Growth of the School Market
Many factors are involved in creating an environment for growth in the school market. Among the most important reasons are the non-traditional student, bigger schools, new teaching methods, space requirements for technology, and failing older schools (in the 30 - 40 year age range).

Non-traditional students mean that more space is required in classrooms. Whether it is earlier schooling (preschool), kids with special needs, or adults returning to school, more people are spending greater amounts of time in education environments. In 1974, a new elementary school was 38,000 square feet; in the year 2000, a new elementary school averages 55,000 square feet. CMU can be used either to add new space or to completely replace a building to accommodate the non-traditional student.

Project-oriented education methods, team teaching, and small group instruction are newer teaching methods. These styles of working with students are not necessarily suited to more traditional classroom setups. Larger rooms with open floor plans are needed to accommodate new teaching methods and activities.

Technology requires more space than traditional school layouts to accommodate computer labs and technology centers, which are essential in modern teaching facilities. Not only are older schools undersized for current uses (i.e. technology, team teaching, etc.), in many cases these buildings are simply wearing out to the point where replacement becomes the best option.

Why CMU is Suited to Schools
Concrete masonry units are widely used for educational facilities for various reasons including durability and affordability. Tight school budgets necessitate quality construction that lasts. Reasons designers choose CMU are:

· acoustics
· low maintenance
· community image
· durability
· structural capabilities
· aesthetics

Masonry works with all styles of architecture, it easily combines contemporary and traditional forms with one material. This allows it to blend with neighborhood personalities and match new or old buildings-including historic renovation projects. Considering the variations in color, size, and texture, the possibilities for architectural expression are virtually unlimited.

Masonry continues to be popular because it is cost effective and durable. Modern masonry is versatile, both in terms of its appearance and performance. CMU is making a new reputation for itself, replacing the notion that it is just "a gray block." There are many new opportunities for CMU usage.

How to Maintain Market Awareness and Maximize Potential
To cultivate the education market potential, the industry should focus on issues that are relevant to and valued by school districts, such as sustainability, security, flexibility, and opportunities for recycling. Positioning CMU as the building material of choice requires an awareness of issues important to owners and architects, such as durability.

Architecturally speaking, the goal is to create functional facilities with sustainable construction that not only keeps our children safe, but looks attractive, too. Our built environment has a dramatic impact on our lives. Education construction, specifically schools, is important. With masonry, it is possible to create great educational facilities that are on-budget, on-time, and long lasting.

Craig Mason, AIA, Principal, DLR Group, 900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 700, Seattle, Washington 98164-1006, Tel.: 206.461.6000, Fax: 206.461.6049, Web site: seattle@dlrgroup.com.

DLR Group specializes in educational facilities design. They were ranked 6th largest educational design firm in the U.S and have built over 500 schools in the past 10 years representing over $350 million in construction.

 
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