Hamilton Elementary School, Mundelein High School Win Top Architecture Awards

Interior learning environments impress jurors in American Institute of Architects’ Northeast Illinois Chapter design competition

Hamilton Elementary School (Moline, Illinois) and the Mundelein High School science and classroom expansion (Mundelein, Illinois) received Merit in Architecture awards from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Northeast Illinois (NEI) Chapter.

The projects, designed by Legat Architects, claimed two of the top four spots (“Distinguished Building Over $3M) in AIA NEI’s biennial Design Awards competition. Winners were selected by a jury of notable architects.

Hamilton Elementary School classrooms surround an Imaginarium filled with breakout areas in which classes can share ideas.

An awards ceremony took place at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Representatives from Moline-Coal Valley School District 40, Legat, and Russell (construction manager) accepted the award for Hamilton. The Legat team also accepted the award for the Mundelein High School addition, which was built by IHC Construction.

A Business Incubator immerses Mundelein High School students in an authentic corporate environment with access to multimedia tools.

Emcee Dirk Lohan referred to Hamilton as “a fascinating elementary school” and applauded the Learning Stair as an ideal space for kids to congregate. He also said the jury praised the Mundelein High School addition’s interior planning and layout, and called it an “informal, modern, participatory, interdisciplinary type of learning environment.”

Learn more about Hamilton Elementary School and the Mundelein High School expansion.