GEMS Lower School

GEMS Lower School

GEMS World Academy is a private K–12 school in Chicago’s Lakeshore East Community. The two-building vertical campus marries GEMS’ program with local requirements, creating a new model for a high-rise school in an arena of limited precedents. The use of state-of-the art technology enables students to collaborate with classrooms throughout the world, providing an international perspective on education.

The Lower School houses 660 students within 10 stories on a limited site. Juxtaposed against an adjacent park, the playful exterior is a modernist composition of interlacing colored panels and glass. The configuration responds to internal program elements while rationalizing the construction, allowing for fast-paced fabrication.

Organized to reduce travel times, the common areas are stacked centrally. Interior architecture is driven by flexibility, optimized floor area, connectivity, daylight and views.  The design responds to the unique site constraints, provides a variety of spatial experiences, and makes strategic use of color and materials while maintaining a consistent approach to detailing.

The Lower School facility has been planned in conjunction with an Upper School that is to be constructed in a future phase. Distribution of grade levels and spaces between the two separate but proximate sites was determined during the master planning process. The two buildings, planned to serve a total of 2,100 students, maintain a unified approach to interior and exterior design, make provisions for internal drop offs to limit street traffic, and assist in stitching together the neighborhood by filling two vacant sites.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2012 – 2013
Construction
Completed 2014
Project Area
83,000 square feet
Consultants
Halvorson and Partners, Structural; WMA Consulting Engineers, MEP/FP; Mackie Consultants, Civil; Wolff Landscape Architecture, Landscape; Archiluce International, Lighting
Contractor
Power Construction Company
Materials
Glazed curtain wall, LoE vision glass, translucent glass, and metal panels of various widths and colors
Awards
AIA IL 2016 Mies van der Rohe Citation of Merit
IIDA RED Award: exemplary design in Educational - PK12 interiors
ENR Midwest Best Projects Award of Merit: K-12 Education
ASA Chicago Outstanding Project 2015
Photography
Darris Lee Harris
Maxamillian Studio

GEMS Middle-Upper School

GEMS World Academy is a private K–12 school in Chicago’s Lakeshore East Community. The two-building vertical campus marries GEMS’ program with local requirements, creating a new model for a high-rise school in an arena of limited precedents. The use of state-of-the art technology enables students to collaborate with classrooms throughout the world, providing an international perspective on education.

The Middle-Upper School, to be located on Wacker Drive, will house 1,440 students and overlook the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. To address the challenges and opportunities of this unique urban location, the Middle-Upper School was developed in conjunction with the Lower School during a master planning process. The resulting 2,100 student campus utilizes a unified palette of materials for the interior and exterior design and sets a precedent for exceptional architectural standards as GEMS enters the U.S. market.

The Middle-Upper School building incorporates an internal drop off and two levels of parking. Common spaces are primarily located at the base of the building to facilitate events, while dedicated learning spaces are placed at the top, maximizing natural light and views and limiting travel times between classes.

The integrated approach to sustainability includes cooling from a local existing district plant, eliminating the need for a chiller in either building. With this system in place, the area dedicated to mechanical functions is reduced, enabling more usable program area across the campus.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2013 – 2014
Construction
Ongoing
Project Area
211,500 square feet
Consultants
Halvorson and Partners, Structural; WMA Consulting Engineers, MEP/FP; Mackie Consultants, Civil; Wolff Landscape Architecture, Landscape
Contractor
Power Construction Company
Materials
Glazed curtain wall, LoE vision glass, translucent glass, and metal panels of various widths and colors

University of Chicago Campus South Mixed-Use Facility

The newly constructed 132,000 square foot mixed-use facility on University of Chicago’s South Campus includes a 4-level parking structure with associated recreational spaces.

The main pedestrian entrance is located at the building’s northwest corner and houses an elevator lobby to accommodate the recently completed David Rubenstein Forum conference center. Recreational support spaces and training rooms are located on the west side of the building to serve the adjacent outdoor playing-fields. A large community space and meeting room is positioned conveniently along 61st Street with direct pedestrian access. The parking office and primary vehicle ingress and egress is located on the north side of the site and is aligned with Kimbark Avenue, a vacated street.

The structure’s facade is clad with a rhythmic vertical metal panel that provides a texture to the building volume while allowing for natural ventilation for the parking floors. The massing of the building provides a transition from the University campus to the residential district south of 61st Street. This is accomplished by the height being more closely aligned with the residential buildings on 61st Street. The materials and colors were chosen to integrate the structure into the surrounding academic and residential context by drawing from the warm natural color of the limestone found in wall panels and accent stones throughout the community. The building is designed with the capacity to accommodate a second phase, which could include one additional parking floor as well as four floors of academic and recreation space.

Location
Chicago, IL
Construction
Completed 2023
Project Area
132,000 square feet
Consultants
Walker Consultants, Design Professional of Record, Parking & Structural; Terra Engineering, LTD, Civil; Site Design Group, Ltd., Landscape Architect; CCJM, MEP
Contractor
Clark Construction
Materials
Aluminum plate and preformed metal wall panels, glazing (vision, translucent, laminated & spandrel glass), granite base, exposed architectural concrete

New Charter High School

New Charter High School
New Charter High School
New Charter High School

bKL was invited to prepare a conceptual design for a new urban charter high school serving 1,000 students. The goals addressed innovation, efficiency of circulation, and limited budget.

The design is composed of forms arranged to define and distinguish the elements of the school’s program. The building’s functions are organized into two highly efficient wings, separating the quieter focused learning areas from the louder social space. The strategy for organization of circulation and spaces anticipates adjustments to programmatic elements as the design evolves. The program was constrained to standard classrooms, science labs, a lecture hall, a combined gym/cafeteria space, administrative and support spaces. As specialty spaces were not part of the requirements, the lecture hall was developed as an aspirational and multi-functional destination, simulating a sophisticated, flexible space of a collegiate environment and highlighted from outside with a distinct façade and window expression.

Maximizing the indoor-outdoor relationship, the central courtyard is bathed in sun and shielded from prevailing winds. The courtyard adds opportunities for study, play, meeting and dining, performances and community events and creates a dynamic haven that is activated by students without adding interior built area.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2014
Project Area
70,000 square feet

Confidential Field House Project

bKL provided a feasibility study for a soccer complex featuring both a new athletic building and outdoor playing fields. The venue is planned to accommodate both adults and youth to be used for year-round training and competition. The indoor facility is planned to include a 69,000 SF competition high performance synthetic turf field and fixed seating for 1,200. An additional 48,000 SF is dedicated to fitness and weight rooms, locker rooms, administrative and event spaces.

The exterior scope includes numerous natural turf fields in support of U6-U12 youth leagues and adult competition as well as one artificial turf field.

The scope of the work also includes the replacement of the track and field inside an existing structure on site.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2019
Project Area
117,000 square feet

Hyde Park Academy High School

bKL provided planning and design management services for the two-part renovation of Hyde Park Academy High School. In this role, as owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools, bKL worked with the Architect of Record to develop comprehensive scopes and budgets for each phase, while ensuring that CPS design standards, specifications and schedule goals were met.

Currently serving 800 students in grades 9 through 12, this classical style school, on the south side of Chicago, has been designated by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey as Orange Listed. Built in 1911, with subsequent additions in 1937 and 1970, the facility encompasses a total of 298,000 SF. The school offers Broadcast Technology, Digital Media, General Education, Career & Technical Education (CTE) International Baccalaureate (IB).

The first phase of the project’s renovation included a $20M investment focused on the exterior envelope and the associated interior damage due to long term water infiltration. The project included a full roof replacement, as well as select stone replacement at the building parapet. Select new windows and select interior improvements were also made. Due to long-term deferred maintenance, there was significant damage to plaster walls throughout the building. In order to mitigate the damage created by water infiltration, significant abatement and rebuilding of walls had to be performed. Also addressed were full renovations of a small practice gym, the cafeteria, and select corridors and classrooms.

In the second phase, CPS invested another $20M toward interior renovations. This effort was focused on programmatic improvements of spaces to enhance the school’s existing International Baccalaureate (IB) program; including the full renovation of 9 science labs, a 2-story library, a computer lab, art rooms, and additional interior renovations to classrooms, office spaces and the auditorium.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
Phase 1 – 2017
Phase 2 – 2018
Construction
Phase 1 – Assumed 2019
Phase 2 – Assumed 2020
Project Area
298,000 square feet
Contractor
Tyler Lane Construction, Inc.
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
Brook Architecture

Anna Langford Community Academy

As the owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools, bKL led the planning and design management for Anna R. Langford Community Academy, a 79,000 SF, three-story facility in the West Englewood Community. Formerly known as Nicholas Copernicus Public School, the 1905 building has been recognized by Chicago Landmarks as Orange Listed. The historic nature of the building led to a conscious effort to preserve and restore the exterior to its original design, including the replacement of the 9,900 SF standing seam metal roof with a shingled roof to mimic the original slate design. Additional exterior upgrades included repairs and painting of the ornamental steel cornices, spandrel panels and window mullions; 20% masonry tuckpointing, and full cleaning of the brick. Interior renovations addressed abatement, patching and painting of plaster in the gymnasiums, corridors and third-floor classrooms.

This capital improvement project was planned simultaneously with two other sister schools from the era: Eli Whitney Elementary School and James Monroe Elementary School. Although scopes of work required for each building varied, the approaches to each of the three renovations were informed by the prototypical nature of the original designs.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2018
Construction
2019
Project Area
79,000 square feet
Contractor
All-Bry Construction
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
Doyle & Associates

University of Chicago – Donoghue

bKL provided planning and design management services for the exterior renovation of The University of Chicago Charter School’s Donoghue campus. In their role as owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools, bKL developed a comprehensive scope, budget and oversight of the Architect of Record for this CPS owned facility. The campus is composed of a 75,000 SF two-story main building that was constructed in 1963. The renovation of this building totaled $3.8M and included interior and exterior repair. The exterior underwent a 48,000 SF roof replacement that included an extension and redesign of the corrugated metal parapet, 100% masonry tuckpointing, and replacement of all existing plexiglass windows.

The interior scope included painting of select classrooms, library, and toilet rooms, patchwork in the toilet rooms, as well as new flooring and furniture in the cafeteria. Due to water infiltration of existing windows in classrooms, select finish renovations were completed.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2016
Construction
Completed 2017
Project Area
75,000 square feet
Contractor
Blinderman Construction Co, Inc
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
Holabird & Root

Bronzeville Classical Elementary

Hartigan Elementary School re-opened in 2018 as Bronzeville Classical Elementary School after an extensive renovation. The renovation of this building totaled $11M, included interior and exterior repair and now has the capacity to serve 600 students. In their role as owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools, bKL provided the comprehensive scope, budget and oversight of the architect of record on behalf of CPS.

The transformation of the building exterior included the replacement of the existing mosaic tile spandrel with a colorful metal panels and fins. Other exterior work included targeted masonry and roof repairs, window repairs, and the replacement of window guards. The comprehensive interior scope included a new welcoming lobby, lighting upgrades, new finishes in corridors, classrooms, lunchroom, administrative spaces and toilet rooms. New furniture was provided throughout the building.

Revisions were made to the existing building layout to incorporated new science, music, and art rooms, as well as a new resource center. A new playlot, turf play area, and landscaping also give the enhance the outdoor learning environment.

To improve building accessibility, the existing structure was modified to insert a two-story elevator. Triple height drinking fountains, a new unisex toilet room, as well as accessibility updates to staff and student toilet rooms, and accessible emergency exits from the gymnasium were included in the project.

Improving the indoor environmental quality was a focus as well, with either a repair or replacement of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and the installment of a new chiller. For improved security, an upgraded fire alarm system, replacement of existing security lighting, and new security cameras were also included in the renovation.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2017-2018
Construction
2018
Project Area
63,100 square feet
Contractor
The George Sollitt Construction Co.
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
KOO

Helen Hefferan Elementary

As the owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools, bKL led the planning and design management services for the renovation of Helen M. Hefferan Elementary School, a 61,000 SF, two story school facility built in 1961 in the West Garfield Park Community. The $6.6M project included an exterior envelope renovation addressing the full replacement of the roof, approximately 11,000 SF of curtain wall, as well as tuckpointing of approximately 50% of the masonry. Interior scope included painting of all the classrooms, ceiling replacement, and lighting upgrades to the corridors and dining room. The school was also selected to receive a new Parent University space, which was built out in conjunction with this project.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2017
Construction
2019
Project Area
61,000 square feet
Contractor
FH Paschen
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
E C Purdy & Associates

Rueben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center

bKL led planning and design management services as the owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools for the renovation of Rueben Salazar Elementary Bilingual Center. The renovation focused on the exterior envelope, for a total project cost of $2.6 million. This 3-story, 45,000 square foot building serves approximately 350 students in grades PK-8.

The school was originally constructed in 1883 as a masonry building with an Italianate style and Queen Anne details. In honor of these architectural features, the project team maintained the historical integrity of the structure while providing necessary improvements to the exterior envelope. The project included masonry repairs, roof replacement, cornice restoration and window replacement. Windows with insulated glazing were designed with simulated divided lites in support of the original era of design, while improving insulating properties quality to meet current standards.

The building’s Red List status from the Chicago Historic Resources survey required coordination and approvals by the City of Chicago Planning, Design, and Historic Preservation Division for detailing. In addition to the exterior envelope, the project included interior plaster and painting work.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2016-17
Construction
2017-18
Project Area
45,000 square feet
Contractor
Friedler Construction Co.
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
Legat Architects, Inc.

William H. Prescott Elementary School

bKL led planning and design management services as the owner’s representative for Chicago Public Schools for the renovation of William H. Prescott Elementary School. The primary emphasis of the renovation was on the exterior envelope. Associated interior improvements were made throughout to repair plaster and paint and included the conversion of an existing space into two classrooms. This 3-story, 50,000 square foot building serves approximately 440 students in grades K-8.

The school was originally constructed in 1899, with an addition in 1936. The building is classified as “Orange” in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey as the building “possesses potentially architectural or historical features.” As such, the designers approached the renovation with care to maintain detailing. Exterior improvements focused on masonry restoration including tuckpointing as well as brick, stone, and terra-cotta repairs. An obsolete masonry chimney stack was reduced in height and boiler flues were rerouted. As the roof replacement required an increase in insulation, brick parapet walls were raised. Additionally, the copper cornice that extended across 3 facades was repaired.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2018-19
Construction
2018 & 2019
Project Area
50,000 square feet
Contractor
CCC 2018, Allbry 2019
Photography
Philip Shin
CPS Program Management Office
Jacobs Engineering, bKL Architecture, Cotter Consulting, Primera Engineering, Perry and Associates, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., LCM Architects
CPS Architect of Record
McGuire Igleski & Associates, Inc.

Leif Ericson Elementary Scholastic Academy

CPS Summer Critical Projects

bKL provided a variety of interior and exterior renovations for Leif Ericson Elementary Scholastic Academy. These included classroom, auditorium, library, dining, corridor and toilet room renovations, as well as the remodeling of exterior entrance access routes.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, provisions were made for air conditioning and wireless access points in compliance with the CPS mission to enhance technology and provide climate controlled learning environments.

bKL completed this fast-track project that was critical to ensuring welcoming environments for Chicago Public Schools students upon the start of the school year. Along with Kellman Corporate Community Elementary School and Oscar DePriest Elementary School, all three projects had the same schedules, with design and construction occurring within a limited time frame of 10 total weeks.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2013
Construction
2013
Project Area
78,000 square feet
Consultants
Melvin Cohen and Associates, MEP; MFH Associates, Structural
Contractor
F.H. Paschen
Photography
Darris Lee Harris

Kellman Corporate Community Elementary School

bKL provided a variety of interior and exterior renovations for Kellman Corporate Community Elementary School. These included classroom, auditorium, library, dining, corridor and toilet room renovations, as well as the remodeling of exterior entrance access routes.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, provisions were made for air conditioning and wireless access points in compliance with the CPS mission to enhance technology and provide climate controlled learning environments.

bKL completed this fast-track project that was critical to ensuring welcoming environments for Chicago Public Schools students upon the start of the school year. Along with Leif Ericson Elementary Scholastic Academy and Oscar DePriest Elementary School, all three projects had the same schedules, with design and construction occurring within a limited time frame of 10 total weeks.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2013
Construction
2013
Project Area
31,950 square feet
Consultants
Melvin Cohen and Associates, MEP
Contractor
F.H. Paschen
Photography
Darris Lee Harris

Oscar DePriest Elementary School

bKL provided a variety of interior and exterior renovations for Oscar DePriest Elementary School. These included classroom, auditorium, library, dining, corridor and toilet room renovations, as well as the remodeling of exterior entrance access routes.

In addition to aesthetic improvements, provisions were made for air conditioning and wireless access points in compliance with the CPS mission to enhance technology and provide climate controlled learning environments.

bKL completed this fast-track project that was critical to ensuring welcoming environments for Chicago Public Schools students upon the start of the school year. Along with Kellman Corporate Community Elementary School and Leif Ericson Elementary Scholastic Academy, all three projects had the same schedules, with design and construction occurring within a limited time frame of 10 total weeks.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2013
Construction
2013
Project Area
107,240 square feet
Consultants
Melvin Cohen and Associates, MEP; MFH Associates, Structural
Contractor
F.H. Paschen
Photography
Darris Lee Harris

Gale Math and Science Academy

bKL facilitated fast track summer renovations for the Stephen F. Gale Math and Science Academy’s two building campus serving 370 students in PK-8th grades.

Renovations to the Main Building, originally built in 1922, included remodeling of the building’s 4 main entrances to provide ADA accessible approaches, replace doors and modify vestibules. Extensive parapet reconstruction and roofing repairs were also completed across 29,000 s.f of the building’s roofs.

Gale’s Annex, originally built in 1997, required a full replacement of 13,000 s.f. of roofing across the building’s two roof levels. As increased insulation was necessary to meet the current energy code, bKL collaborated with structural and mechanical engineers to address new loading requirements and existing roof top equipment. Modifications to chiller support bracing, masonry walls and parapets were made to improve flashing and joint details.

Location
Chicago, IL
Design
2014
Construction
2014
Consultants
Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Structural and Civil; dbHMS, MEP
Contractor
K.R. Miller Contractors
Photography
Josh Pabst Photo