Legat Architects
← Back to All Work

A Good Neighbor

The school’s stone and masonry exterior distinguishes it from nearby industrial facilities and complements surrounding residential neighborhoods.

larawayschool-neighborhood

Neighborhoods

Four grade-level “neighborhoods” create schools within the school and bring comfort to younger students. Each neighborhood has a front porch with a feature wall color, a large tackboard and cases for displaying projects, and built-in benches.

“Legat listened to us and gave us what we wanted. The entire community felt like they were part of the process.”

Quarry Wall

A “quarry wall,” inspired by the City of Joliet’s long history of quarrying limestone, connects the two entrances and curves through the cafeteria and courtyard.

Board Members Weigh In

Watch this video to get Laraway School District board members’ reactions to the new school.

larawayschool-video
larawayschool-activelearning

Active Learning

Each neighborhood has a flexible open space for learning outside the classroom. Floor-to-ceiling glass draws students through the light-filled spaces. Older student neighborhoods have lower lockers that keep walls open for windows into classrooms and writable surfaces.

“I heard ‘That’s good enough’ a thousand times, but ‘good enough’ was not in our vocabulary. We had one opportunity to do what’s best for the kids, and we did that.”

Little Learners

The active learning area in the Little Learners (preK-1) neighborhood encourages physical activity and motor skills training. Note also the transparency between the classrooms and the open area.

larawayschool-littlelearners-2
larawayschool-middleschool-2

Middle School

The middle school neighborhood has its own internal circulation loop that surrounds an active learning area for breakout sessions and presentations.

Classroom/Coaching Room

A small coaching room connects each pair of classrooms.

larawayschool-classroom-coachingroom

“During planning, we asked that it not look like a warehouse. We have a masonry exterior, unlike the preformed concrete that many of the buildings surrounding us have. It’s going to be a jewel of the community.”

Commons/Gymnasium/Stage

A stage connects the commons and gym. A movable acoustic wall creates a soundproof separation between the spaces. The commons displays the courtyard and has built-in risers beneath the stage. The gym functions as two practice courts or one full court.

larawayschool-library

Library

A larger, more open library features built-in bookshelves, reading nooks, age-appropriate furniture, and window benches.

Daylight

The design of new Laraway School emphasizes views and natural light. Library window benches, for instance, display the courtyard at the heart of the school.

larawayschool-daylight
larawayschool-modulartech-stem

Modular Tech STEM Lab

Junior high students explore different career paths in the modular tech lab, which ties in with Joliet Township High School’s Career Academies.

Farming Roots

A linear layout, east/west orientation, and floor/lighting patterns reference the City of Joliet’s farming history. On the exterior, green window jambs were inspired by rows of corn.

Italian Tile

Vibrant Italian tiles identify bathroom areas.

larawayschool-bathroom

“This new school will make the kids proud of being here, proud of being a Laraway student.”

larawayschool-eventsentry

Events Entry

Buses drop off students at the events entry next to the gym.

Related Projects
Hamilton Elementary School
Oakton Community College Lee Center
Erie HealthReach Waukegan
Eleven 20 Club