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
| May 16, 2012
AIA issues guide to IGCC
Getting the IgCC adopted in all 50 states and in jurisdictions across the country is the primary mission of the ICC, which published the code in March.
| May 16, 2012
Architecture Billings Index reverts to negative territory
Decline is possibly a brief pause from unusually strong winter activity.
| May 16, 2012
AEG releases 3D video of L.A.'s Farmers Field
The Los Angeles Convention Center footage depicts the new convention center hall spaces, including a new lobby above Pico Boulevard, pre-function space, and what will be the largest multi-purpose ballroom in Los Angeles.
| May 16, 2012
Balfour Beatty Construction taps Kiger as VP of operations
Kiger will manage current relationships and pursue other strategic clients, including select healthcare clients and strategic project pursuits in the Central Tennessee region.
| May 15, 2012
One World Trade Center goes to new height of sustainability
One of the biggest challenges in developing this concrete mixture was meeting the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey’s strict requirement for the replacement of cement.
| May 15, 2012
Suffolk selected for Rosenwald Elementary modernization project
The 314-student station elementary school will undergo extensive modernization.
| May 15, 2012
Don’t be insulated from green building
Examining the roles of insulation and manufacturing in sustainability’s growth.
| May 15, 2012
National Tradesmen Day set for Sept. 21
IRWIN Tools invites the nation to honor "The Real Working Hands that Build America and Keep it Running Strong".
| May 15, 2012
SAGE Electrochromics to become wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain
This deal will help SAGE expand into international markets, develop new products and complete construction of the company’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Faribault, Minn.
| May 14, 2012
Codes harvest rainwater
IAPMO’s Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement could make rainwater harvesting systems commonplace by clearly outlining safe installation and maintenance practices.