Legat Architects’ new studio in Iowa City’s renowned “Ped Mall” to emphasize community connections The first-time visitor to Iowa City’s outdoor Pedestrian Mall will quickly discover its allure—trees and gardens enliven a brick pathway, music drifts from five “street pianos,” comforting aromas waft from outdoor food carts and restaurants. And whether a visitor’s taste buds […]
Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park taps into vibe of trendy Chicago neighborhood
Sky lobby and Kennedy Rooftop bar/restaurant at Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park capture neighborhood charisma, display downtown Chicago for guests and locals When the elevator opens to the seventh-floor lobby at Hyatt Place Chicago/Wicker Park, guests are in for a treat: 180-degree views of a vibrant lobby, an outdoor restaurant and bar called Kennedy Rooftoop, and […]
Lake Land College’s Luther Student Center creates new welcome center, unites student services, eases navigation
Luther Student Center additions and renovations at Lake Land College revive spaces ranging from Student Life/Activities and Career Services to Laker Nest Bookstore and Lake Land Police Department “Where do I go?” New students and visitors often had trouble navigating Lake Land College’s campus in Mattoon, Illinois. There was no clearly defined entry, and student […]
New federal regulations positively impact affordable housing development and design
New administration’s goals present opportunity to elevate affordable housing design and value Shelter. It is a basic human necessity. It provides protection in comfort. This security gives people the ability to venture forth and make a life. The current challenge is that there is a high demand for affordable housing. Housing should not cause financial […]
Schools unearth positive lessons from COVID-19 experience
School district leaders and a clinical psychologist share travails and triumphs during the COVID-19 pandemic Though COVID-19 numbers have begun to wane, school districts across the nation continue to face pandemic-related stressors: communicating with parents, ensuring appropriate social distancing, masking, and air quality protocols, and striking a balance between remote, hybrid, and in-person learning. Legat […]
Hawthorn Elementary School South expansion and renovations to emphasize arts, nature, collaboration
Forthcoming Hawthorn Elementary School South building projects designed during pandemic dodge costly site work, highlight robust arts program When students return to Hawthorn Elementary School South (Vernon Hills, IL) after summer break in 2022, they will be greeted by a renewed setting where light, art, and nature unite. Abstracted tree canopies stretch over a new […]
Lake Behavioral Hospital advances mental health in Lake County, Illinois
US HealthVest’s Lake Behavioral Hospital addresses shortage of mental health and addictions inpatient/outpatient services in Lake County, Illinois According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five U.S. adults suffers from mental illness, while only 43% of adults and 51% of youth get treatment. Worse, a USA Today report shows that only 10% […]
Augustana College’s Lindberg Center to launch kinesiology program, new natatorium
Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance to house Augustana College’s new kinesiology program, support expanding public health program, and usher in larger and brighter natatorium According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for physical therapists are anticipated to grow by 22% over the next decade. Accordingly, Augustana College in […]
The art behind the Arlington Heights Police Station
A closer look at how designers used brick and stone to fit the Arlington Heights Police Station into a traditional municipal campus The Village of Arlington Heights’ (Illinois) new police station has improved efficiencies, storage, safety, and training capabilities. It even received an American Public Works Association national Project of the Year Award for its […]
North Scott High School practice facility benefits athletes, community members
New cost-effective practice facility at North Scott High School serves multiple sports, reduces scheduling conflicts, offers more equipment storage When the weather turned sour, the North Scott High School Lancers boys baseball team would take batting practice in an off-campus building known affectionately as the “Silver Bullet.” With its two batting cages, the old farming […]
Chaddick Institute/Legat Architects Think Tank to explore post-COVID resilience
Registration opens for free weeklong lunchtime lecture series that investigates resiliency for healthcare, transit, educational, and sustainable design Overcome Adversity to Thrive 2020: Healthcare providers walk on pins and needles. Airline, bus, and rail agencies wrestle with finances. Schools struggle to find a balance between in-person and remote learning. And everyone is scrambling to get […]
How buildings teach kindness: inspiring social-emotional learning through design
A call for educational institutions and architects to design school settings that create a clean slate and help all students achieve their success threshold Discrimination is an ugly word. In some way or another, we’ve all been a victim to it, and we’ve all seen it happening to someone else. When it comes to educational […]
