As schools face the many challenges of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, a clinical psychologist shares ideas for maintaining social and emotional health for students, teachers, and parents. The prospect of returning to school this fall has generated contention among school communities as they debate a variety of topics: scheduling, seating arrangements, deep cleaning, mask […]
Learning
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 […]
Architects and COVID-19: emerging from the quarantine
Étouffée, perfect circles, and fresh air: Legat Architects employees share COVID-19 quarantine experiences Legat employees have begun to gradually return to our Illinois and Ohio studios while adhering to CDC-recommended guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19. One thing we can’t refute (nor can anyone else): the last three months have been unlike any other. […]
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: an opportunity to reexamine educational environments
This isn’t just about virus-free schools: international forum unites school leaders and planners to consider the potential for pandemic to inspire positive change within school settings The topic that now dominates discussions among US school administrators is how to safely reopen schools while keeping kids safe. However, Legat Architects’ latest EDEngage session, which assembled an […]
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 […]
Student safety and momentum amid COVID-19 and financial upheaval
Caught between public health and economic crises, school district leaders join architects, interior designers, and engineers to explore ideas for preventing spread of COVID-19 among students while minimizing expenses. Here we are, more than two months after the coronavirus brought commerce to a virtual standstill, and yet uncertainty and mixed messages continue to afflict the […]
As COVID-19 persists, school leaders discuss challenges of returning to class in fall
A tough road ahead as educators confront uncertainty, socioeconomic differences, scheduling concerns, and facilities obstacles amid COVID-19 pandemic It’s the first day of school! Friends reunite and hug or high-five. Kindergartners hold hands in a circle. Students sit side by side in gyms, auditoriums, or cafeterias to listen to their principals. Right? Not so fast. […]
Midwestern school superintendents discuss impact of COVID-19
Leaders of Illinois and Ohio school districts share challenges of continued learning amid COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the national school system. During a recent EDEngage session, Legat Architects hosted an online open forum that brought together Midwestern district superintendents to learn about the challenges that they’ve confronted with […]
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 […]
Legat Architects’ Robin Randall achieves educational planning distinction
Student learning first: Association for Learning Environments names Robin Randall one of only eight Accredited Learning Environments Planners in State of Illinois During a planning session for a high school facility upgrade, a community member shouted, “You are not tearing down our building! It’s a historic monument!” He then stormed out of the meeting. Architect […]
