Jorge Prieto Academy

The 105,000 SF Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy is comprised of three floors with an estimated occupancy of approximately 900 students. The interiors have been carefully designed to provide a serene yet engaging environment while providing durable finishes to minimize maintenance in the future. The use of color in corridors and classrooms has been used as room identifiers giving each space its own character.

Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy is one of the first schools to be LEED certified (LEED Gold) under the new LEED for Schools track. This new elementary school on the west side of Chicago provides classroom, administrative, athletic, theater, library, research, dining and support facilities, parking, playgrounds and ball fields for 950 students and faculty.

A significant design and technical challenge was to meet the goal of the user, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), to obtain the LEED daylighting credit. Although no other CPS school has been able to achieve this credit, STL was able to do so. Additionally, this school is also the first CPS school to use a displacement ventilation system, which significantly reduces the operating costs of the HVAC system.

The design schedule for the project was compressed by 3 months while the Client simultaneously increased the project scope to increase the Green Roof area by 65% and include a 225 car parking lot and ball fields. STL delivered the construction documents on schedule and the project was awarded on budget of $26M.