10 Feb 2025
The Neal Math + Science Academy is a game changer in education for youth, symbolizing pride and strength. The School District of North Chicago received a transformative $40 million grant from AbbVie. North Chicago, a unique black and brown suburban city in Chicagoland, has faced disinvestment for too long. The five-story building features a sports field, outdoor learning spaces, and centralized nodes promoting togetherness for middle school students and staff. Its verticality offers neighbourhood views and ample natural light. The colourful exterior and double gradient façade celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity by setting a new standard for educational spaces while encouraging an active learning atmosphere.
The design was led by significant community engagement efforts to better understand the community's needs. The team met with families of North Chicago, including both parents and children. Through this engagement, it became clear that the community felt invisible. They wanted to be seen and to see. This inspired the idea of a vertical school where each floor represents a passage in time and marks a different school grade. As students progress through each grade, they gain more visibility within the city limit and a stronger connection to North Chicago. This makes it the tallest building in North Chicago, serving as a beacon for the community.
The challenge of the project was designing and constructing the building while the existing school remained in session. To honour the school's history and legacy, the gymnasium was preserved. This required careful planning and coordination. The new design emerged from the need to maintain the historical aspects of the old structure while integrating modern elements for the future. Balancing preservation with innovation was a key challenge, resulting in a design that respects the past while providing a forward-looking educational environment.
Neal Math and Science Academy decided to build the new facility adjacent to the existing building, recognizing that most students walk to school. By maintaining the location, the new design encourages walking and reduces the emphasis on parking and car usage.
The design team created programmatic elements on the ground specifically for community use, fostering connection and accessibility. This includes a dedicated room for the North Chicago Community Partners, the Learning Stair, and the dining commons. Additionally, there are outdoor plazas, a recreational sports field, and a green space buffer between the school and the residential areas. These features provide valuable spaces for community activities, enhancing the bond between the school and the surrounding neighbourhood.
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