Gemini Middle School Additions and Remodeling

Niles, Illinois

Firm

DLA Architects, Ltd.

Client

East Maine School District 63

Area

14,950 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$5,700,000

Completion Date

08/2020

Alexander Romanovsky/DLA Architects

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Gemini Middle School is organized in teams, or “neighborhoods,” served by collaborative educators. Clusters of learning studios, learning labs, a teacher collaboration office and conference spaces radiate from learning hubs. The learning hubs are the heart of each team’s neighborhood and transform common space into open workspaces where multiple classes of students can gather or students can work independently. Learning hubs encourage student engagement and create more opportunities for team teaching. They offer access to technology and varied seating choices.

The commons/hangout space is an informal area that creates community among students from different neighborhoods. It is perfect for independent, introspective work. Flexible furnishings and writeable walls open it to group work as well.

Large groups gather at the learning stair. Situated off the cafeteria, students seek it out. They can have their lunch on the steps or gather to watch a presentation or a movie. The adjacent mezzanine has flexible seating for both small group and introspective work and is the go-to place for afterschool club meetings.