Tomorrow's Connectivity, Today
One of the challenges faced by educational facilities today is the establishment of technology-driven learning environments. In addition to normal classroom design concerns, computer-driven classrooms have unique connectivity issues. As curriculums, student density and technology change and migrate into the future, outlet location and service upgrades are mandatory, unpredictable and costly, Communication and power services must also be provided without restrictions to visibility. What are the options?
A traditional approach is floor penetrations, core drilling or trough cutting the floor. This is a construction- intensive option that is costly, time consuming and disruptive. Option two is a raised floor providing underneath space for cabling. Cabling, outlets and carpet all need to be added to complete the classroom. Both solutions meet initial requirements but do little to address the technological upgrades and changing layouts that will occur through time. At the center of both options is a construction-based approach. These types of installations are trades based, requiring the trades to install initially, service during use and provide any upgrades or changes required in the future.
Both options were considered by administrators at Pennsylvania State University's (PSU) Harrisburg Campus as they began the development of a new technology learning center. The new center, located in the basement of a building built in I960, is 5,000 sq. ft. of multiple classrooms, designed with the ability to change classroom quantity and size to meet variable student attendance.
Ed Dankanich, director of Business Services for the campus, immediately identified the problems that might occur with any type of floor penetration. Shawn Skethway, supervisor of Maintenance & Construction, was concerned about their ability to meet classroom requirements, as they changed through time. Both determined that a raised floor, used with traditionally installed power and communication outlets, offered the best solution.
Dankanich offers, "We were asked to review a product that supposedly provided a new approach to solving some of the issues we faced. We were convinced our decisions were well founded, but remained open minded to a better solution. We reviewed the Powerflor System and immediately identified with the benefits of their modular approach and use of premanufactured components. At first, the differences between our current plans and the system approach seemed subtle, but we soon realized they had the potential of having a huge impact on our use of the space "Skethway adds, "i immediately saw that the system's nontrades-based application of the connectivity offered greater flexibility and definitely would make future changes to the space more cost- and time-effective but remained apprehensive about its cost"
Skethway acknowledges, "We took a complete project approach, instead of addressing the elements individually, enabling PSU administrators to compare a total cost. This was contrary to our traditional thinking but was to our benefit. We obtained the lowest total project cost. The results of our RFQ process proved that the "Powerflor Cable Management System" approach was a cost-effective option in providing the initial installation."
Dankanich adds, "Powerflor and its distributor, EPS, were excellent in their follow through on all of the details, providing a complete system on time and at the proposed cost. Effecting changes that occurred while the project progressed were accomplished in a timely fashion and without additional cost. We saw firsthand how adaptive the system could be to our changing needs."
Ed Franz, Powerflor USA's vice president of Sales & Marketing, concludes, "As the educational community continues with its goal of providing the most modern learning environments, it will undoubtedly face the challenge of adapting less modern building structures to the requirements of tomorrow's technology. Tomorrow's technology is particularly difficult to plan for, as it remains undefined. Addressing these challenges, using the procedures of the past, is no longer time- or cost-effective. Our goal is to provide a system with a core commitment to modularity. premanufacturing and most importantly adaptability. We recognize that to remain beneficial, Powerflor must be able to adapt to whatever tomorrow^ technology becomes. This is our goal, because we're all about the cabling!"
For more information, visit www.powerflorusa.com.