Tarkington School of Excellence

Chicago, Illinois

Firm

OWP/P Architects

Client

Chicago Public Schools

Area

134,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$23,000,000

Completion Date

09/2006

Pending certification, Tarkington School of Excellence will be Chicago’s first LEED-certified school. This new school shares building space with Chicago Park District’s regional administration office.
The architectural and design component establishes a meaningful connection among the building, its students and the natural environment. Its basis lies in the intent for a flexible and optimistic learning environment, offering the intimacy of tactility, and encouraging sensory thought and participation.
Design strategies include spatial organization and massing to accommodate two distinct clients within one building. The concept maximized glazing for natural light and expansive views, massing highlighting shadow, texture and plasticity, and exterior and interior materials emphasizing natural tones and warmth.
The building program features art, music and science classrooms, a library, kitchen and dining facilities. A fieldhouse and play field are shared by the students, the park district and the community. Design features contributing to this environmentally friendly building include recycled building materials, a planted roof, solar panels and harvested rainwater.