From intricate details to whole buildings: Zach Wiese accomplishes two decades of mentoring architects and helping building owners achieve code compliance, avoid costly repairs, and complete major projects. Generations Healthcare Network wasn’t sure about Zach Wiese leading the first major project it hired Legat Architects to do: additions and renovations at Generations at Neighbors skilled […]
Joliet’s Laraway School wins John Shaw Award for design and community planning
Laraway School in Joliet, Illinois takes top spot in 12-state John N. Shaw Award competition sponsored by Association for Learning Environments’ Midwest Great Lakes Chapter Two years ago, a Laraway School girls basketball player walked into a gym at another school and said, “Are we allowed in here?” She had noticed how much better that […]
Arlington Heights Police Station named national Public Works Project of the Year by American Public Works Association
Arlington Heights Police Station earns 2020 APWA Project of the Year Award in American Public Works Association’s national competition For more than five years, a pile of 500 ash logs sat at a public works yard in Arlington Heights. The logs came from trees the village’s public works department had to chop down during a […]
Newark High School Innovation Center gives students jump-start on STEM careers
Design minimizes costs to transform Newark High School’s underused library into in-demand Innovation Center and STEM makerspace in less than two months Last year, residents at the Inn at SharonBrooke in Newark, Ohio were delighted when six Newark High School students, accompanied by Newark City Schools Director of Curriculum and Staff Development Maura Horgan, stopped […]
Chicago-area architects unite to help Philip J. Rock Center & School obtain state funding
FGM Architects, Legat Architects, and Wight & Company join forces, donate facility assessment services to help Philip J. Rock Center & School for deaf-blind individuals obtain $6.5 million in state funding for ADA upgrades, system improvements, and envelope repairs When there is a competition to provide architectural services for Chicago-area preK-12 schools, the shortlisted candidates […]
COVID-19 and architecture: combating coronavirus by stepping outside
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, architects and building owners have an opportunity to step outside and look ahead to a post-coronavirus world. I’m going to level with you: I’ve been a pretty anxious person these days. I find myself obsessively checking epidemic trendlines, scrutinizing models, reading articles, and stress-watching the news . . . waiting for […]
Tom Kikta Celebrates 30 Years at Legat Architects
Tom Kikta’s three decades at Legat Architects leave trail of skilled architects, satisfied building owners, and reliable facilities. Right now, there are accomplished architects throughout the world who earned their stripes under the wing of Tom Kikta, a principal and project manager at Legat Architects. And there are more than 200 buildings that are dry, […]
Laraway School wins national Brick in Architecture Award
Unanticipated materials swap and unconventional brick arrangement at Laraway School lead to Brick Industry Association award for excellence in design Laraway School (Joliet, IL), like many schools, is a long, horizontal brick building. However, a closer look at the preK-8 school’s brick walls reveals something uncommon: whereas most schools have horizontal bricks, Laraway’s bricks are […]
Protecting small businesses while reopening during coronavirus pandemic
Safety and inclusivity for customers and waitstaff paramount as small businesses turn to outdoor dining during coronavirus pandemic Everyone recognizes this pandemic has been a challenge. However, not everyone recognizes just how much of a challenge it truly has been for small business owners. As communities are allowed to reopen, the business community and municipalities […]
Hyatt Place Chicago – Wicker Park Hotel and Rooftop Bar Construction Complete
Eight-story hotel with raised lobby, rooftop bar, and locally created artwork captures Wicker Park/Bucktown – Chicago vibe. [May 21, 2020] – Construction has finished at Hyatt Place Chicago – Wicker Park, a 99-room hotel in Chicago’s lively Wicker Park neighborhood. The eight-story hotel, located at the southeast corner of Ashland and North avenues, features a […]
Ascentra Credit Union headquarters a boon to the Bettendorf community
New light-filled headquarters a “living work of art” that demonstrates Ascentra’s commitment to community and employees, showcases the Mississippi River When people on Grant Street pass by Ascentra Credit Union’s new headquarters, they are likely to see a first-floor room whose bright orange and aqua walls set the backdrop for the activity within. What these […]
Mariano Azuela School Architecture Club celebrates 10-year anniversary
More than 400 students participate in club launched by principal and architect after 2010 completion of Mariano Azuela Elementary School on Chicago’s southwest side Two Mariano Azuela Elementary School students and architect Tom Kikta look over the rail on the school’s gym roof. The girls hold eggs surrounded by protective devices that they’ve made. Two […]
