COVERING KINGSDALE

The refurbishment of a dilapidated 50-year-old London suburb secondary school has recently claimed the headlines in the United Kingdom. Kingsdale School (photo by Alex de Rijke) has become a "poster child" for demonstrating how aging buildings can be adapted for the 21st Century. The architects have turned unused space into an adventure for the senses with a "variable-membrane" roof. Next week ArchitectureWeek contributing editor Don Barker will explain the project and the exciting environment it has created.

WAYFINDING MADE EASY

The wayfinding system — explicit and implicit orientation cues — in any building can be an important aspect of occupant comfort, especially for those who may feel insecure in their environment. For people suffering from dementia, it is particularly important that finding their way around their residential facility be as effortless as possible. Next week Bradford Perkins will provide some lessons on designing such facilities for special care.