The Joseph Sears School Renovation

Kenilworth, Illinois

Firm

DLA Architects, Ltd.

Client

Kenilworth School District 38

Area

49,651 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$20,292,271

Completion Date

09/2023

DLA Architects/ Alexander Romanovsky

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The Joseph Sears School, known for its quality education, is housed in a historic JK-8 schoolhouse, which hadn’t seen major capital improvements in years.

An improvement plan was created collaboratively by the district, DLA Architects, and consultants, emphasizing the community’s crucial role in the school’s success. To ensure wide participation, faculty, staff, administrators, student representatives, parents, and the school board had chances to contribute. The wider community was also engaged through visioning sessions and discussions, inviting feedback from residents, the park district, village, and police representatives.

The process resulted in a multiphase plan for facility improvements that preserve the traditional street-side facade while transforming the schoolhouse into a modern, open learning center.

All grades have access to learning hubs and staff collaboration offices. The new student commons offers a unique gathering spot, featuring a learning stair leading to the centrally situated library. The new “Cafenasium” provides an inviting lunch area with outdoor seating, designed for flexibility and safety for after-school use. The design also enhances collaboration with the park district, emphasizing the schoolhouse as a community centerpiece.

Additional Information

Associated Firm

WT Group (Civil Engineering Consultants); Pease Borst & Associates (Structural Engineering); 20/10 Engineering Group (MEP & Fire Protection Consultants); Threshold Acoustics (Acoustic Consultants); Gary R. Weber Associates (Landscape Design Consultants)