Mendota High School

Mendota, Illinois

Firm

DLA Architects, Ltd.

Client

Mendota Township High School District 280

Area

143,765 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$17,475,987

Completion Date

01/2003

The design of the new high school for Mendota Township District 280 consisted of a facility designed for 650 students with core facilities designed for 750 students.
The organization is centered on a media center that branches out to the administrative offices, student-services offices, the academic wings and the cafeteria.
The academic wing consists of general, science and special-education classrooms, and high-tech, computer-media labs with faculty offices nearby.
The school’s athletic wing includes an auxiliary gymnasium, a fitness/weight room and a dynamic competition gymnasium with seating for 2,000.
The performing-arts department consists of band and chorus rooms with corresponding storage and practice areas, and a 550-seat auditorium with acoustical enhancements, a sound system and support spaces.
The sitework responds sensitively to the sloping landscape upon which the high school is situated. The raised positioning of the building allows students and faculty to have a stunning view of Lake Kakusha to the south. The parking lot is designed for 432 vehicles.