Oswego East High School (Work in Progress)

Oswego, Illinois

Firm

Kluber Architects + Engineers

Client

Oswego Community School District 308

Area

430,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$48,160,000

Completion Date

09/2004

Multipurpose and flexible are the key words for this facility. The focal point of the design, a central cafeteria/commons area situated under a 20,000-square-foot vaulted skylight, reflects this emphasis.

Surrounded by a colonnade and accented by architectural pieces such as stairways, balconies and archways that help to break down its scale, the commons serves as a social gathering place. During school, the space is used as a cafeteria; after hours, it satisfies community needs.

Adjacent to the east is a 1,000-seat theater designed as an opera house. The back of the stage opens up to a 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater. To the west of the commons area is a two-story sports complex that houses two gyms, basketball courts, a 220-meter indoor track and a competition pool. To the south are community meeting rooms with a commercial kitchen.

Each of these areas can be opened or closed separately, as can the three-story wings housing faculty offices, a multipurpose room, the Learning Resource Center and classrooms on the commons’ north side.