Oswego East High School, The Commons

Oswego, Illinois

Firm

Kluber Architects + Engineers

Client

Oswego Community Unit School District 308

Area

430,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$48,160,000

Completion Date

09/2004

The multipurpose, central commons area is the social nexus of Oswego East High School. Used as a cafeteria seating area during school lunch times, it also serves as an informal gathering spot for students to study or socialize. Corner carpeted seating “steps,” balconies, and a wide, carpeted central stairway leading to the Learning Resource Center and classroom wings accommodate this use. In the evenings and on weekends, the commons works as an elegant, much-needed community room for fundraising dinners or other social events, or as a lobby for adjacent athletic and theater wings.
Daylight harvesting is achieved in the commons via a 20,000-square-foot, 4-inch-thick sandwich panel polycarbonate skylight that allows direct and indirect lighting to filter into the three-story space. Custom-designed chandeliers are on a multi-level, bi-directional switching system tied into the building’s automation system for energy efficiency. Energy savings also are realized through a low-temperature air-handling system that uses fabric ducts and heat-pipe technology.

“Good use of detail and color to bring down the scale. Great use of energy-efficient ocncepts throughout the building and site.”–2005 jury