Not only would the outcome be a much nicer environment, but also the reduced cost of air conditioning would more than offset the increased cost of maintenance. The upshot of the renovation of PHS is a stately, beautiful building. A dramatic atrium allows light to spill into the commons. Expertly applied paint transforms plaster pillars and columns into faux marble. Overall, the facts and data show that we got excellent value for the money we spent on this project, thanks to skilled architects and craftsmen.
Critics complain about a glass palace with marble columns.
Change is tough. Never underestimate how tough change can be. During the design phase at PHS, we battled for three full months over 12 cement stairs leading to the front door of the old school. When alumni got wind that architects planned to remove the stairs to create a more open, handicap-accessible entrance, they became enraged. One strategy we used to foster understanding, and thereby mitigate some of the strong reactions to change at PHS, was to build our messages about the reconstruction project around a metaphor.