The White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) recently launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a critical step towards improving the air we breathe indoors. The Challenge provides initial public guidance towards actively improving indoor air quality.

These recommendations are just the beginning of heightened awareness and future regulations surrounding the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as it pertains to COVID and many other airborne pathogens, allergens and pollutants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends in-room air cleaning as part of their action plan for IAQ connected to the Healthy Building’s Challenge and ESSER funding is available to help schools make this essential need a reality – talk to our team today if you need assistance making this happen!

At SBI we’ve partnered with Omni CleanAir, leaders in portable air filtration for over 30 years, to help support the schools and universities throughout the nation with indoor air purification.

Improving air quality in under-ventilated spaces and legacy buildings doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking. Louisiana State University deployed more than 550 portable OmniClean air filtration devices across campus in less than 12 weeks (including product selection, rigorous testing, through full installation). After testing multiple air purification solutions, the team selected portable OmniClean air purification systems featuring a True HEPA filter rated at 99.99% removal efficiency for 0.3 micron-sized particles.

OmniClean solutions are powerful, portable, and proven in K-12 and university spaces.

The Montessori Schools of Upper West Manhattan saw a decrease in the spread of viruses and illnesses, including COVID-19 cases, in the Fall of 2020 after working with OmniCleanAir to implement machines in each common area and classroom.

“Although, we did have our cleaning staff come and disinfect a couple times a week, we were relying on our ventilation system from Omni CleanAir to keep us safe, it was the most scientifically minded precaution then and remains to be.”

OmniClean’s design isn’t just sleek, quiet, and practical — it’s proven to work. Air quality is immediately improved through a tested four-stage system.

The process begins with a prefiltration of all untreated air in the room through the 360-degree air intake. The powerful MERV 11 prefilter catches large particles including pollen, dirt, hair, smoke, pet dander, and more.

The air then travels into a sealed UVC chamber where Safe Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure, or SureUVC™, exposes all untreated air in the room to high intensity, close contact Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). This inactivates viruses and bacteria, containing the energy so no person or material is ever exposed to dangerous UVC, allowing our machines to continually operate.

The IEST Certified True HEPA filter rated at 99.99% removal efficiency then removes bacteria, virus carriers, mold, and other ultrafine particles from the air as it passes through. Following this, an activated Carbon Filter captures odors.

The clean air is then delivered to the room. The machine is moving air through it at a rapid rate, supporting a full change of the air in the room every 10 minutes.  The CDC recommends at least six air changes per hour (ACH) which corresponds to an air change every 10 minutes.

With a variety of airflow capacity models, OmniClean is bringing maximum flexibility to all shapes and sizes of educational environments.  Each model available with or without SureUVC™

Change is in the air. Get in touch with an indoor air quality expert today and see how OmniClean can transform your commercial space.

SBI is pleased to announce the launch of our eCommerce site, shop.saxtonbradley.com.

This online solution was designed to allow customers to purchase one-off furniture pieces, or to place a semi-large order for delivery with the click of a button.

Access the site online, on your phone, or on the go.

Check back often for the latest releases and special offerings, or subscribe to be notified of promotions and more.

For our initial launch, the shop will serve customers in Washington. In the near future, we will be broadening the service to additional geographies.

Stop by the SBI Shop, today!

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ABOUT MOTT MANUFACTURING: Mott is a manufacturer of steel, stainless steel, wood, plastic laminate and phenolic resin laboratory casework, systems furniture, and fume hoods with factories in Brantford, Ontario and Maxwelton, WV. Markets served are university teaching & research, industrial, biotech, pharma, healthcare, government, and K-12.
www.mott.ca

ABOUT mottLAB: For 25 years mottLAB has been a respected distributor of Mott’s laboratory casework, systems furniture, and fume hoods, along with other related laboratory products. They have provided customers with effective product solutions to the most challenging laboratory applications.
www.mottLAB.com

Interested working with SBI on a KCDA contract? Contact Us!

Click here to start picking out your new home office (remember to use code 120455 at checkout), or click below to learn more.

On October 21st, 2020, Experts and Educators joined forces to discuss how to safely share spaces in this day and age. Watch the Conversation Now

BACK IN THE CLASSROOM: OUR DISCUSSION ON SHARING SPACES

October 29, 2020 • Jayme Caruso

On October 21, we hosted a the second installment of our critical conversation series, where we met with experts and educators to discuss the challenges of sharing spaces during COVID-19.

Our panel of experts included Brian Morris – an innovative middle school technology arts teacher of 35 years, Lara Sawers – Arts educator with a decade of experience ranging from collegiate level to Pre-K, Amanda Hoehn – Associate Principal at Bassetti Architects with over 14 years of experience designing schools, Matt Heath – District Facilities and Construction Manager at West MEC with over 25 years of construction experience, and, of course, our very own RaeAnn Fox – a leader in education, technology, and online professional development.

To watch a recording of the conversation, click below.

To learn more about using the Meeting Owl in the classroom, see this PDF from Owl Labs.

The Meeting Owl is already being used effectively in schools across the country. Trinity Hall uses the Meeting Owl Pro to connect students at home with their classes on campus. The 360° panoramic lens paired with the Owl Intelligence System (OIS)TM that autofocuses on whoever is speaking in the classroom creates an immersive learning experience for students at home. With the help of Smart Mics, students at home can raise their hands and be called on in class while being able to hear what teachers and students are presenting in the classroom. This allows them to be a part of the discussion instead of a fly on the wall. To learn more about how Trinity Hall uses the Meeting Owl Pro, view the full case study.

To see the Meeting Owl in action at John Brown University, take a look at this video. As we prepare, there are nuances we can’t afford to overlook – including navigating shared spaces.

In the meantime, don't forget to check out Breakthrough Learning, our digital resource on the most up-to-date recommendations and ideas for education in the age of safe and distance learning.

On August 6, Leaders in Learning Environments and Education Came Together to Discuss the Future of Education Post-COVID.  Watch the Conversation Now

A RECAP OF BREAKTHROUGH LEARNING IN 2021

August 10, 2020 • Jayme Caruso

On August 6, we hosted a critical conversation about what our future will look like in the education space. With the emergence of COVID-19, our ideas about what "future-proofing" means have changed. Not only are matters of hygiene and safety top of mind, but also issues of social equity and engagement.

Our panel of experts included our own RaeAnn Fox – a leader in education, technology, and online professional development, Stacey Crumbaker – Associate Principal at Mahlum and winner of the 2020 AIA Associates Award for outstanding creative thinking and leadership, Alan Rheault – an Industrial Designer for Fleetwood with 30+ years of experience in Human Centered design, and Mark Davenport – Partner at SPS+ Architects and leader in community building through educational design with over 20 years of experience. We also brought on special guest Kelly Lipscomb, a high school teacher from southern Florida, to share her experiences and expertise from the front lines of the classroom.

We'll be releasing answers to questions from the live audience that we didn't have time for in the live session later this week, and we'll also be revealing a special online resource to provide the most up-to-date information around this critical topic and keep the conversation going.

To watch a recording of the conversation, click below.

Learn More Here

BROWSE AUCTION ITEMS HERE

Ultimately, internal prioritization and allocation of space requires leaders to balance the academic needs of each program area with the dispersion of net square footage, creating a cohesive academic science environment.

Additionally, technology is constantly evolving, and there are challenges to designing flexible spaces that can accommodate different technologies and programs as practices change. With space at a premium, flexibility means enabling users to ultimately do more with less. 

With good communication and participation from all stakeholders, space can be allotted in a way that meets everyone’s needs through more efficient use.

INSIGHTFUL DRIVERS 

Efficiency asserts itself in different ways—reallocating unprogrammed spaces for broader use, sharing resources wherever possible  and efficient operations through sustainability—are all opportunities to do more with less space.

Prioritize important non-programmed space. Breakout spaces can be really hard to plan and program, but are absolutely essential and need attention from the project outset. Administrators in the past have viewed these spaces as excessive and expensive, but there is a greater appreciation for them today. Designers have taken strategic approaches, such as incorporating a glass panel wall that showcases a lab the school is proud of. As technology has become mobile, breakout spaces have been emphasized. These spaces can also be great opportunities to create flow and hierarchy for wayfinding, originating in facility lobbies, continuing through circulation and optimized with adjacencies.

When done right, breakout spaces provide opportunities for student and faculty interaction outside of instruction spaces. When square footage is intentionally programmed to include breakout areas, they are used for student collaboration, faculty prep, and impromptu discussions. Such informal spaces are well used and their popularity in academia is growing. They could include white boards or writeable glass, encouraging students to stay in the building and continue learning after classes. 

Part of the appealing dynamic of a multi-program building is the opportunity to comingle students and faculty from different areas, creating a cohesive collaborative culture. It is ideal to have a vertical and horizontal mix of programs to enhance and stimulate programmatic cross-pollination. 

Maximize joint use and shared space while scrutinizing the efficiency of dedicated space. Generally, there are three types of spaces: joint-use, shared-use and dedicated. Minimizing dedicated space allows programs to optimize uses, sharing square footage. Designers seek to find ways different programs can use—with minor modification—some of the same spaces by providing a teaching console, more storage or moveable equipment. Mixed classrooms with flexible furniture are key. In science buildings, there will always be space dedicated to a specialized function, but project leaders aim for such spaces to be the exception. 

Interestingly, many labs can be multi-functional. Although teaching labs have a front of the room orientation with projection screens and white boards for instruction, they can be designed to also incorporate research lab needs. Equipment, even highly specialized, can be shared, depending on the programs. To ensure a lab/classroom is equipped for the unique pedagogies of multiple programs, it is critical to understand their needs. Finding opportunities to synthesize spaces and equipment wherever possible saves significant costs. 

Integrate sustainability with integrity. Sustainability remains at the forefront of today’s buildings, even in the science and technology realm. In a hybrid building, it can be difficult to integrate sustainable elements while preserving the integrity of highly specialized spaces. In one example, there was a challenge in providing operable windows to offices, which changed the pressurization of the building. The solution was to use air lock vestibules in the adjacent corridor. Project leaders can identify ways to integrate sustainability while maintaining the specialized integrity of the spaces. 

Creativity in design and planning allows design teams to find new ways to share space, incorporate sustainability and enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the space.

DESIGN STRATEGIES 

In addition to operating efficiently, occupants want spaces that perform in the usability realm, with natural light, comfortable layouts and smooth integration to the surrounding landscape.

Daylighting. Daylighting is one way to enhance the space while also emphasizing sustainability. Natural daylight can decrease energy costs and makes the space more inviting. Daylight can be used to illuminate corridors, classrooms and even labs, with considerations to avoiding glare that may interfere with scientific work or reading digital readouts. Daylight is appreciated, but needs to be used strategically. 

Welcoming spaces. Welcoming spaces increase occupant satisfaction and foster interaction, which is especially encouraged in a multi-program facility. To enhance a culture of collaboration, the building itself can be used as a passive tool, encouraging groups to work together and share space. A strategically placed breakout space or faculty prep area creates natural moments of engagement interaction. How spaces are located and programmed directs how individuals move through and interact with the building and others within.

Main street—inside and out. Layouts such as a “main street”—a central corridor with elevators, restrooms and breakout areas along the edge—intentionally creates a primary natural flow of movement through the space, with strategically placed locations for pauses to interact. Outdoor spaces are another design feature that has special effect in a science building. Geology students may collect rock specimens, or biology programs may include gardens. Spaces such as these are a byproduct of a process called mini-master planning.

Building-specific master planning. Each building has a role to play in the overall campus context, but the immediate area around the building, including walkways and outdoor learning environments, is especially important for seamless integration. 

Building-specific master planning identifies opportunities for unique uses of space. Depending on the context around the building, these can include outdoor learning spaces, campus circulation patterns or entry plazas. Site and context of the building based on pedestrian movement, and where people enter the building are key considerations, decisively studying campus pedestrian movement so that the building becomes part of the natural circulation patterns on campus. Such planning leads to activating the space from the moment people enter and attracts them to the key areas of interest. 

Buildings with multiple user groups can present programming challenges but they also provide opportunities to create collaboration where it wouldn’t naturally occur. Multiple-use buildings have more traffic flow, allowing universities to highlight some of the keystones of scientific innovation on campus, while creating inviting places for students to learn and study together, and faculty to instruct. 

With so many possibilities for design, it is important to consult the users of the building to ascertain their use patterns and create spaces that encourage productive cohabitation of multiple disciplines. Gathering input and balancing competing interests and priorities, while remaining mindful of budgets and schedules, results in buildings that perform for users, programs and the campus as a whole.