Page 39 - spaces4learning, Fall 2021

EDUCATION DESIGN SHOWCASE • K-12
HONORABLE MENTION
THOMAS J. WATERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NORTH ANNEX CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHICAGO, IL
SPROUTING FROM THE SOIL
of community gardens, the An- nex at Waters Elementary School nurtures a growing student body with a vibrant, integrated curriculum of fine arts, environ- mental studies and technol-
ogy. An equally vibrant design reflects their forward-thinking curriculum.
Inside, nature-inspired colors illuminate the floors
and walls. As prairie grasses dance in the student gardens, the first floor’s golden yellows energize the atmosphere in
the multi-purpose area where students gather for meals and assembly. Mirroring the trees’ foliage, lush greens dapple the second floor, home of both a sunny and acoustically private music classroom and an art lab, giving students a multitude of paths to discover their creativity. Reflecting the sky, vibrant blues of the third-floor calm class- rooms and the media lab where students study and experiment with technology.
Outside, angled metal panels frame the art, music and media center windows, echoing the ex- isting school’s detailing. Snakes of corbeled brick, textured like a turtle, wind through smooth ma- sonry to reflect a school-favorite fable about the Chicago River which once flowed through the grounds where the Annex and nature-play areas now stand.
New life has been brought to an old campus through elements that reflect the school’s history, values and vivacity.
ARCHITECT
Bailey Edward Design, Inc.
JAMES AULER 312-440-2300
PROJECT INFORMATION
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
Titia Kipp
COMPLETION DATE
Oct. 2020
GROSS AREA
85,000 sq. ft.
AREA PER STUDENT
97 sq. ft.
SITE SIZE
1.95 acres
CURRENT ENROLLMENT
573 students
CAPACITY
870 students
COST PER STUDENT
$2,609
COST PER SQ. FT.
$267
TOTAL COST
$22,700,000
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