New May Whitney Elementary School

Lake Zurich, Illinois

Firm

DLA Architects, Ltd.

Client

Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95

Area

119,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$42,026,767

Completion Date

08/2021

DLA Architects, Ltd./Alexander Romanovsky

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Design Team
Carrie Matlock, AIA, NCARB, LEED® AP BD+C (Principal); Shannon Baird, AIA, LEED® AP BD+C (Project Manager)

The existing elementary school structure (originally a large, 1929 high school) suffered many functional challenges. Rather than invest significant dollars in a deteriorating older building, the community opted via a referendum to replace it.

An elementary school of this size could be daunting for children, but care was taken to create the cozy intimacy of a bi-level home. Concentric layers were a design theme, with communal spaces at the core. Each grade radiates from these centralized spaces. To create separation and identity for each grade plus aid in wayfinding, graphics were incorporated that play off themes of shape and color.

Visioning workshops indicated the new school should be flexible and support personalized learning, creativity, and collaboration. These objectives were met by designing a multitude of learning environments. The learning studios are flexible, with access to small group breakouts. The project space and more robust maker space are designed for children to solve problems from simple to complex. For larger gatherings, educators can choose between the learning amphitheater, the large group presentation space, or even the cafetorium.