Page 36 - spaces4learning, Fall 2020

EDUCATION DESIGN SHOWCASE • K-12
HONORABLE MENTION
FRANCIS W. PARKER SCHOOL
KOVLER FAMILY LIBRARY
FRANCIS W. PARKER SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL
ARCHITECT
Eckenhoff Saunders
MATTHEW J. WYLIE, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP 312-786-1204
PROJECT INFORMATION
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
Dan Frank, Principal
COMPLETION DATE
September 1, 2018
GROSS AREA SQ. FT.
9,620 sq. ft.
AREA PER STUDENT
36 sq. ft.
SITE SIZE
5 acres
CURRENT ENROLLMENT
940
CAPACITY
267
COST PER STUDENT
$4,042
COST PER SQ. FT.
$395
TOTAL COST
$3,800,000
30 FALL 2020
FRANCIS W. PARKER SCHOOL, a historic and renowned
Pre k-12 private school
in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, retained Eckenhoff Saunders to reno- vate its outdated library. Usage of the library facility had waned in recent years as students supported their academics with online and offsite resources. To support their progressive education- al programs with innovative library space, the school committed to a complete redesign and reconstruction of the area and the reimagi- nation of the resources and activities the library would provide.
The library’s transforma- tion is immediately evident as students enter a lush new gallery planted with green walls, furnished with comfortable seating, and populated with the school’s sculpture collection and student art. No longer hid- den from view, the corridor wall has been replaced with operable glass partitions thrown open throughout the day, making corridor and library one free-flowing space and inviting in all who pass through.
The library is organized using a freeform millwork “tree” that folds organi-
cally through the space first as ceiling, then floor, then furnishing. At various places, this meandering element creates “Genius Hubs” where students engage with each other and the librarians, a video conferencing area, and a Lego Table, which acknowl- edges that play is integral to learning.