About

The Design team works to ensure that all capital projects at PGCPS result in safe, inviting learning environments that enhance academic success, optimize facility use, and achieve our sustainability goals. The Design team supports the department by interpreting and ensuring the approving agencies' insights are incorporated into designs. The team also develops, evaluates, and interprets different specifications and guidelines for academic spaces.

Specifications

Educational Specifications

These academic requirements of the built environment are developed by the Planning Office, finalized by the Design Office, and managed and implemented by the Project Management Office for each project.

In February 2015, the Board of Education approved Educational Specification prototypes for elementary, middle, and high schools. These prototypes help provide transparency and consistency when developing individualized school specifications for new construction or renovation projects outlined in the PGCPS Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

The specification prototypes also provide guidance for determining the appropriate number of rooms and space standards for school renovation and new construction in Prince George's County. Because they align with standards for determining State Rated Capacity (SRC) and with local enrollment standards for existing and future schools, they assist in determining future boundary changes, school additions, consolidations, or closures.

Each school prototype (elementary, middle, and high) includes spaces for general education courses, as well as a range of optional programs that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools. These options include such programs as English as a Second Language (ESL), co-teaching, and special education. Specifications for athletic areas, health suites, media centers, and other programs meet both state and PGCPS guidelines and standards.

Building Specifications

These sets of guidelines and specifications provide recommendations, standards, and instructions on the division of construction, such as the structural, mechanical, and electrical standards to which each project must be built.

Facility Guideline Specifications

Design Stages

Once Planning Approval is granted, a project enters the Design Phase. An architectural company is selected to design and prepare construction documents for the project. Also, the Project Planning Committee, established in Planning, remains active throughout the phases outlined below.