Educational Environments Exhibition to showcase top public school design at 2016 Illinois Association of School Boards’ Joint Annual Conference
[Chicago, IL] – A jury of school administrators and architects selected Addison Early Learning Center (Addison, IL) and Hamilton Elementary School (Moline, IL) for display at the 2016 Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), and Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASB).
The projects, designed by Legat Architects, are among 21 others that will be featured at the conference’s Educational Environments Exhibition, a project of IASB Associates.
“We’re grateful to Addison School District 4 and Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 for working with us so collaboratively to take on the challenge of designing these educational projects,” said Robin Randall, director of PreK-12 education at Legat. “Both schools show what happens when communities unite to improve the future for the next generation.”
Each year, the conference draws over 10,000 public school leaders including superintendents, board members, and administrators. The 2016 conference will be held November 18 – 20 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Sheraton Chicago, and Swissotel hotels.
Addison Early Learning Center
The 16,500-square-foot Addison Early Learning Center (ELC) addition not only expands Addison School District 4’s preschool and early childhood programs, but it also allows the district to bring its community full-day kindergarten to all its elementary schools.
District engagement sessions and a design charrette led to six options for the 360-student center. The consensus design responds to the academic and social/emotional needs of three- to five-year-olds with a variety of features ranging from playful colors and window patterns to integrated therapy and motor skills rooms.
Addison School District 4 Superintendent John Langton said, “With the new ELC, the children from the entire community will be challenged with higher levels of academic rigor. Ultimately, these changes will equip our youngest students with a skills foundation that will impact them not just in grades one and two, but also in college and beyond.”
See photos and learn more about Addison Early Learning Center.
Hamilton Elementary School
Hamilton Elementary marks the City of Moline’s first new school in 50 years. It consolidates three schools into one 78,000-square-foot facility that holds 600 students.
Because Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 had not built a new school in 50 years, it was critical to involve community members in the planning and design. Community listening sessions, surveys, and design charrettes were instrumental in everything from the new school’s floor plan and aesthetics to technology integration and furnishings.
The most striking feature of the new school is the Learning Stair that responds to the needs of today’s students. It acts as an extension to the media center. For example, students can sit on the steps after checking out library books, or the stairs can host presentations from students, teachers, or guest speakers. Additionally, the Learning Stair is equipped with a projector and screen for students to view various multimedia presentations.
Bold forms, bright colors, and natural light create vibrant learning spaces. Flexible furniture allows many variations of large and small groups, while sliding transparent doors between classrooms increase teacher options.
“The reincarnated Hamilton is worth celebrating and emulating,” said The Quad Cities Dispatch/Rock Island Argus. “It’s designed to help our students succeed in a future that’s already rushing toward us.”
Watch a video about Hamilton Elementary School or see additional photos.
Contact us to learn more about preK-12 school design, or comment below to share your thoughts on this post.
Leave a Reply