United Neighborhood Organization Archer Heights Charter School Complex
1 2 3 4
Location
Chicago, IL
Client
FH Paschen/DENco Joint Venture
Architect
UrbanWorks, Ltd.
Consulting Firms
dbHMS
David Mason Associates
Transsolar Energietechnik
Charter Sills and Associates
Shiner+Associates, Inc.
CivCon Services
BauerLatoza Studio
Edge Associates, Inc.
Dynacept Engineers, Inc.
Project Inititation
2007
Completion of Work
2008
Site Area
175,000 (building)

 Dramatically glazed building volumes provide sunlit communal spaces that breathe new life into an existing brick and concrete industrial structure. This competition-winning design stacks two elementary schools and a high school on separate floors. Strategically located glass elements will provide natural lighting throughout the facility. Communal spaces are multi-functional – providing areas for the local community during off-school hours.

Extensive green elements will provide spaces that promote good health through sustainable technologies. A south facing glass wall will harvest warm air to help heat the building, an existing chimney will extract extra heat in the summer, and extensive green roofs will provide pleasant outdoor spaces for students and faculty. The UNO Charter School will achieve LEED Gold certification, writing a new chapter for education and the environment.