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Hinsdale Middle School Concept

Community Consolidated School District 181 Hinsdale, Illinois

Competition concept places the student at the center of every decision

This contemporary middle school concept, inspired by meetings with students, addresses outdoor learning, urbanism, and collaborative process. The design relies on a “stack” method of curriculum development and calls for building the facility around the existing school for zero interruption to the educational year.

HIGHLIGHTS

Two bio-atria bring light and nature into facility
Living Building Challenge demonstration library
Rooftop gardens grow produce for school use and support science curriculum
Rainwater harvesting system
Urban design and massing connect new school with fabric of the community

Watch video: watch students discuss their new middle school concept. (3:41)

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Integrated Design – Performance

The concept includes an integrated landscape, daylighting, rainwater harvesting, and a passive systems approach. Diagrams courtesy BuroHappold Engineering.

Health and Education Intersect

The concept allows the school to grow food on site to integrate science education, a Foods Lab, and the food services program.

hinsdale-middle-school-cafeteria-concept

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Design Process

The design team used a reductive and iterative approach to arrive at a concise arrangement of form and program.