Addition and renovations improve efficiencies and set sustainable standard
Cramped and outdated workspaces reduced the Wilmette Public Works department’s effectiveness. The wash facility was too old and too small: vehicles often had to be washed and parked outdoors. The department set out to not only improve productivity but also to respond to its community’s intensified commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly facilities.
An expansion and renovation enhance efficiencies, trim operational costs, and create a healthier workplace. The project also sets a sustainable standard: it is one of the first public works facilities in the country to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The office addition’s slender form, white metal panels, and clear glass represent the Chicago modern tradition. The freestanding linear bar houses six private offices, an open workspace, and a conference room and reception area. It runs parallel to the existing building from which it is separated by an 18-foot-wide outdoor courtyard. A glass-enclosed entry vestibule connects the two buildings.
Patron of the Year, Chicago Architecture Foundation
Project of the Year, American Public Works Association, Chicago Chapter
Project of the Year, American Public Works Association, Chicago Suburban Branch
Unusual for a government facility, this project inserts a modernist jewel box into a suburban setting. The result is a beautiful, understated building rendered in the Chicago modern tradition. The building’s appearance simultaneously reveals and conceals its function and livens up the community.
