The ideal choice for any charter school is to have a new building built to fit its specific educational and philosophical requirements.

One of the biggest hurdles in starting a charter school is finding a suitable building. This is a process that can lead to a great deal of anxiety among educators as it is often outside of their realm of expertise.

The options are nearly limitless and at the same time there is usually little from which to choose. That is to say, that a school building, whether a new building or a renovation, can be designed in many different ways but, can the suitable site or building to be renovated be found?

To simplify the matter, finding the right building can be seen as a choice between three possible approaches:

1. Finding an available existing school building that can be occupied by the new charter school.
2. Finding and renovating an existing industrial or commercial building.
3. Finding a suitable site and constructing a new charter school building.

Regardless of the approach chosen these approaches share several common concerns, these concerns are schedule, quality and cost.

Finding an existing school building to use is clearly the simplest way to acquire a building. A building that was designed originally as a school may offer many advantages. The building will usually contain classroom-sized spaces and will be designed with adequate exits. There will be toilets and offices and possibly a gym.

But there are a number of questions that will need to be asked.

Is the building the right size?
Is the classroom count what is needed?
How much renovation is required to bring it up to current standards?
What is the condition of the mechanical systems?
What is the condition of the roof?
Does the building contain asbestos?
Is the building in a desirable location?
Does its design lend itself to the educational philosophy of the charter school?

Once these questions are considered it will probably become clear that an existing school building may not always be the best answer for a particular charter school. With an existing school building there will almost always be some degree of compromise.

Renovating an existing building often gives greater flexibility in the design of the school. A former department store for instance will have large open areas that can be divided up as needed, providing classrooms and offices of the size and configuration desired.

Again however, some of the same questions will need to be asked. Is the building the right size? How much renovation is required to bring it up to current standards? What is the condition of the mechanical systems? What is the condition of the roof? Does the building contain asbestos? Is the building in a desirable location?

Renovating an existing building may not be the right answer either. There is still the element of compromise.

The ideal choice for any charter school is to have a new building built to fit its specific educational and philosophical requirements. This approach provides the greatest flexibility and gives the school a "fresh" building with all new features and systems. The roof will be new; as will the mechanical systems, and both will be under warranty.

A new building requires the least amount of compromise. In addition, a new building is not necessarily the most expensive solution. Renovation projects inherently have many unknowns. There is no telling what will be found in the walls and under the floors until the work has begun. Most of the problems that arise during the renovation of an existing building will not be an issue with a new building.

Schedule, quality and cost must be balanced. Each is a major concern and the order of their priority will no doubt vary from school to school.

Schedule is probably the least flexible. To keep the school charter, a school building is mandatory.

Being able to move directly into an existing school building, that truly fits the needs of a new charter school, would be ideal. However, finding this ideal existing building will most likely prove impossible. Renovation and repair will need to be done regardless of whether the existing building was previously a school or a warehouse. A minimum of six months should be expected to properly perform the necessary work.

Surprisingly, a new school building can be designed and built in the same amount of time. Modern steel and concrete modular construction technology can provide a new school in as little as six months.

While the site is being prepared the school itself is built in a controlled factory environment. The school is delivered to the site nearly complete, with brick and windows and tile and chalkboards already installed. All that needs to be done is to complete the joints between the modular sections.

When complete, the concrete and steel modular school is indistinguishable from a conventionally built school. Steel and concrete modular school buildings can be built as high as seven stories and can have any exterior finish desired.

The quality of the school building can vary. Vinyl tile can be used in place of carpet; painted wallboard can be used in place of ceramic tile. Quality is the same for each approach; existing school buildings, renovated commercial buildings and new construction are all subject to the same question of quality and it often becomes a question of affordability.

Cost is usually the driving factor. It can't be built or renovated without money. Costs can however be reduced by selecting less expensive materials or even by staging construction, or, in other words, building part of the school this year and expanding in later years. Also, the on-going costs of maintenance need to be considered. A new school building will require the least up-keep as all systems and elements will be new.

When all factors are considered, it is clear that a new school building is the best choice for a charter school (or any school for that matter). A new school building is best able to address the educational needs of students and teachers and the budgetary and operational needs of administrators.

And, when considering the various types of new construction technology available, modern steel and concrete modular construction offers the very best combination of speed, value and quality to be found.

Robert Airikka, AIA, serves Kullman Industries, an integrated manufacturer of commercial modular buildings headquartered in Lebanon, New Jersey.
Email: rairikka@kullman.com