• C.7 - Optimize Opportunities for Outdoor Teaching Problem: Outdoor Teaching Spaces are Inadequate and Too Few There is a long tradition of outdoor teaching at Warren Wilson, but one not greatly supported in the development of facilities. Faculty and students could benefit from enhanced opportunities to hold classes outdoors, and this could relieve some pressure on available building space, at least seasonally. The campus has many existing and potential Captured Spaces/Outdoor Rooms which could serve this purpose admirably with varying degrees of improvement. Appropriate seating, modest sound amplification, power and light, protection from weather and durable grade surfaces are some of the improvements that could be provided in various combinations according to the size and nature of classes to be held. Porches, decks and patios associated with existing buildings are examples of existing “found” spaces which may serve this purpose.
Action Item C.7.1 – Develop a plan for additional outdoor teaching spaces for review and comment by faculty, staff and students. Identify sites and the size of facilities they can support, and survey faculty to determine the equipment to be provided at each. In considering sites include the smoking pavilions as analogous case studies for success and liability.
Pattern Language: Outdoor Classroom (CMPL16), Captured Spaces/Outdoor Rooms (CMPL2), Associated Teaching Space (CMPL17)
• C.8 - Improve Building Systems Maintenance and Replacement Program Problem: The Condition of Many Buildings is Fair to Poor Short and highly subjective, the statement above may yet be the most useful available summation of the state of College building stock, and this emphasizes the need for the College to adopt and maintain benchmark standards for built facilities and to conduct and maintain a survey of that stock. These benchmarks and survey are not only critical management tools but will permit future decisions about renovation and new construction to be readily cast in the context of the entire College physical facility. In both cases they directly support the aim of getting the greatest potential value per building dollar spent, whether on operation and maintenance, renovation or new construction.
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