Gensler and J.C. Anderson, Inc. announced the completion of a new office and classroom space on behalf of City Year at Orr Academy High School on Chicago’s West Side.
City Year is an education focused, nonprofit organization that unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service to keep students in school and on track to graduation. City Year operates in 20 U.S. locations and with two international affiliates including Chicago. As tutors and mentors, City Year Chicago corps members provide critically needed services to some of Chicago’s most underserved youth.
City Year representatives came to Gensler for their assistance in the transformation of the organization’s offices within Orr Academy High School, which also serve as an academic and social gathering space for students and corps members. Gensler embraced the opportunity and then enlisted J.C. Anderson, Inc. to contribute their construction expertise.
The project began with Visioning Sessions hosted by Gensler during which the Orr High School students were asked to contribute their visions for the new space, particularly as they related to learning, hanging-out and celebrating. The students then broke-out into groups and prepared visual presentations to share their ideas. Gensler’s initial concept for a “College Parlor” themed space stemmed directly from the students’ posters and presentations.
The City Year transformation took place within the short time frame of one week and included a custom designed bookcase, tile carpeting, ancillary furniture (including lounge pieces, desks, chairs, benches, team tables and coffee tables) a custom 40’-0” long writable millwork mdf marker board with a student designed wall mural at one end and custom graphic film patterns for three existing storefront walls. Volunteers from Gensler, J.C. Anderson, Inc., City Year and the school were on hand to assist with the implementation of the design.
Susan Harrington led the architectural and design team on behalf of Gensler and Tom Raveret assembled the team from J.C. Anderson, Inc. Both Gensler and J.C. Anderson, Inc. provided services at no charge to City Year. +
Related Stories
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
| Apr 23, 2013
Building material innovation: Concrete cloth simplifies difficult pours
Milliken recently debuted a flexible fabric that allows for concrete installations on slopes, in water, and in other hard to reach places—without the need for molds or mixing.
| Apr 23, 2013
Architects to MoMA: Don't destroy Williams/Tsien project
Richard Meier, Thom Mayne, Steven Holl, Hugh Hardy and Robert A.M. Stern are among the prominent architects who on Monday called for the Museum of Modern Art to reconsider its decision to demolish the former home of the American Folk Art Museum.
| Apr 22, 2013
Top 10 green building projects for 2013 [slideshow]
The AIA's Committee on the Environment selected its top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
| Apr 19, 2013
Is LED lighting keeping its promises?
Lighting experts debate the benefits, drawbacks, and issues related to specifying LED fixtures.
| Apr 19, 2013
Must see: Shell of gutted church on stilts, 40 feet off the ground
Construction crews are going to extremes to save the ornate brick façade of the Provo (Utah) Tabernacle temple, which was ravaged by a fire in December 2010.
| Apr 18, 2013
Survey seeks info from managers of high-tech facilities
The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), and Laney College in Oakland California, a National Science Foundation-funded Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center, are collaborating to identify education and training needs and strategies for high-tech facility operators.
| Apr 18, 2013
SOM, CASE team up to launch crowd-sourced apps library
SOM and CASE have formally launched AEC-APPS, the first crowd-sourced, web-based library for applications used by architects, engineers and construction professionals. This is a one-of-a-kind initiative in the AEC Industry and is a non-profit online community that allows digital tool users and toolmakers to share ideas, tips and resources.
| Apr 18, 2013
Calatrava projects encounter issues with water, structure, Guardian says
A dozen years after Calatrava built the spectacular Ysios winery in the rainy Alava region of northern Spain, the building's dramatic, undulating roof continues to let in the damp.