Glenbard West High School Classroom Addition Open House Reveals Advanced Learning Settings amid Traditional Architecture

Glenbard Township High School District 87 caps 100-year anniversary with science expansion/facility upgrades dedication

[Glen Ellyn, IL] – When Dr. Peter Monaghan, principal of Glenbard West High School, introduced himself to freshmen English classes this month, he noted their enthusiasm. “They’re absolutely thrilled to be at Glenbard West,” he said. “They feel special and so much of that has to do with this facility.”

Dr. Peter Monaghan, Principal of Glenbard West, offers introductory remarks in the school’s library.

Monaghan made that remark last week when Glenbard Township High School District 87 (District 87) hosted an open house highlighting Glenbard West High School’s recent changes.

The project, designed by Legat Architects and built by Walsh Construction, includes a 26,000-square-foot science and classroom addition, as well as renovations.

Community members tour the third-floor glass bridge.

District 87 Superintendent Dr. David Larson commented on the five-year journey to make the project a reality, including board and community members meeting for Saturday visioning sessions, and even gathering on a bitterly cold day when school was canceled.

Larson said, “This is the 100-year anniversary of Glenbard District 87. What a great way to celebrate by dedicating this three-story wing.”

A physics lab features adjustable tables, a ceiling system for hanging experiments, retractable power reels, magnetic boards, and a dual-shade system.

The project stems from a Glenbard District 87 referendum that voters approved in 2014. Mary Ozog, Board of Education Vice President, summarized the gratitude toward the community expressed by all three speakers: “We thank the community for supporting our referendum. Without that seed money, we wouldn’t have been able to do all the improvements at our four high schools.”

The addition includes a new photo room filled with natural light, as well as an editing area and a traditional dark room (pictured) for processing film.

Administrator-led tours allowed guests to experience the spaces, highlighted by the addition that provides centrally located new science labs.

Monaghan said, “We’re creating an atmosphere that is less regimented and allows more autonomy with young people. It gives them more freedom for when and where they learn.” One example is the light-filled glass bridge that connects the new and the old facilities. Legat designed it wider on one side to accommodate collaborative nodes where students can meet. It looks over a vegetated patio that will eventually function as a senior lunch space.

Linda Oberg, Glenbard West Assistant Principal for Operations, discusses the green roof that tops the addition.

A new green roof functions as an outdoor learning space complete with maintenance-free vegetation that reduces rainwater runoff, as well as solar panels that help power parts of the facility. Leaders envision planting an herb garden that will be managed by students with higher functioning cognitive disabilities.

The design of the addition (left) respects the Collegiate Gothic style architecture of the original facility (right). A glass bridge connects new and old.

“It’s an amazing piece of architecture,” Monaghan said of the addition. “It blends the architectural traditions of Glenbard West with a new, state-of-the-art learning environment.”

Monaghan talks about how old labs were transformed into classrooms with flexible furniture.

The science addition also allowed Legat to transform six old labs into eight larger classrooms with energy-efficient LED lighting. Monaghan said, “They did a great job of opening up spaces while keeping the old windows and the Collegiate Gothic style of original structure.”

Additionally, the new mobile furniture has given teachers more flexibility to adjust classrooms to accommodate different learning styles and lessons.

The district estimates that new energy-efficient mechanical equipment will save nearly $25,000 a year in operating expenses. The interior location of the mechanical systems also considers neighbors by reducing noise and respecting the historic nature of the building.

Chief among the system upgrades was a complete overhaul of the HVAC system. Monaghan said, “The state-of-the-art system not only brings air conditioning to the entire school, but it also achieves amazing cost savings while cycling in fresh air from the outside to promote a more productive learning environment.”

Other changes include a new loading dock that offers a safer and more efficient way to receive deliveries, as well as a new elevator that makes art and band classes accessible for students with disabilities.