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STOPPING SCHOOL PROPERTY DAMAGE - DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES TO REDUCE SCHOOL VANDALISM

NCJ Number
38464
Author(s)
J ZEISEL
Date Published
1976
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK IS DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE CONCERNED WITH PROBLEMS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND VANDALISM IN PLANNED AND EXISTING SCHOOL BUILDNGS.
Abstract
IT DIRECTS ITS ATTENTION PRIMARILY TOWARDS ARRIVING AT DESIGN RESPONSES TO THE PROBLEMS OF MISNAMED VANDALISM (ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE), NONMALICIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE (ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO FACILITATE LEGITIMATE ACTIVITIES), AND HIDDEN MAINTENANCE DAMAGE (NORMAL BUT HARD TO SERVICE WEAR AND TEAR). INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS ARE MEANT TO BE USEFUL SEPARATELY OR TO BE USED IF DESIRED. THE SECTION ON BUILDING EXTERIOR DESIGN RESPONSES DETAILS WAYS TO REDUCE THE ON-GOING COST OF PROPERTY DAMAGE BY CAREFUL DESIGN OF A SCHOOL'S PHYSICAL PLANT, PARTICULARLY IN EARLY DESIGN PHASES WHEN THE OVERALL CONCEPT OF THE BUILDING IS BEING DEVELOPED. RESPONSES FOR MINIMIZING COSTS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MAINTENANCE THROUGH INTERIOR DESIGN AND MATERIALS SPECIFICATION ARE ALSO OUTLINED. A THIRD SECTION DISCUSSES WAYS TO CUT PROPERTY DAMAGE COSTS THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAMS AIMED AT INVOLVING STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL, AT USING PERSONNEL EFFECTIVELY, AND AT KEEPING 'EYES ON THE SCHOOL.' THE CONCEPT OF A 'STUDENT VANDALISM ACCOUNT,' ENTRUSTED TO STUDENTS EACH TERM, AGAINST WHICH PAYMENTS FOR VANDALISM ARE DRAWN AND FROM WHICH THE BALANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES, IS AMONG MANY INNOVATIVE POSSIBILITIES DESCRIBED AND ANALYZED. FOR EVERY MAJOR DESIGN ISSUE - BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR - DESIGN ACCOUNTABILITY CHECKLISTS PRESENT ONE GENERAL QUESTION AND THEN A SERIES OF SPECIFIC 'YES-NO' QUESTIONS TO DETERMINE IF THE ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE ARCHITECT IN HIS OR HER DESIGN. THESE CHECKLISTS ARE INTENDED AS A FOCUS FOR DISCUSSION BETWEEN CLIENT, USER, AND ARCHITECT DURING DESIGN REVIEW. AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRESENTS SELECTED LITERATURE ON VANDALISM AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WITH IN-DEPTH SUMMARIES OF IMPORTANT WORKS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)