Back of the Yards

The 215,000 sf project is part of the Chicago Public Schools prototype building approach and is organized around three thematic components: Body, Mind and Spirit. The site is zoned according to these thematic areas, and bars are created housing the athletics (body), the academy classrooms and teaching spaces (mind) and the library, arts and music (spirit). The bars slide against each other to create outdoor spaces on the site, programmed for specific activities that work in conjunction with the buildings; entry courtyard, athletic fields, and reading room. The school will host 1,200 students and is scheduled to be open by 2012.

This prototype building is targeted to achieve LEED for Schools minimum “Silver” level certification, including 25% green roof.