Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Balancing Historic Architecture, Sustainablity and Modern Amenities

  • 12/01/08
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, in Elmhurst, IL, welcomed the public to tour the newly renovated and expanded Hawthorne Elementary School. A special dedication to celebrate the completion of the school’s $16M makeover was held in September.

The building project included a two-story, 12-classroom addition (20,000 sq. ft.) and another 58,000 sq. ft. of renovations to the 90-year-old Hawthorne grade school. Its purpose was not only to provide more space for growing enrollment but also to modernize the teaching environment.

A notable design feature of the project was the preservation of the original historic façade within the two-story atrium between the existing building and the new addition. The changes to the building also incorporated sustainable design strategies such as permeable parking lot pavers, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and high efficiency lighting and mechanical systems.

Other project highlights included:
  • remodeling of existing classrooms with new ventilation systems, power and lighting systems, technology systems, finishes, and casework;
  • making improvements to the building envelope, including exterior window replacement, masonry restoration, and tuck pointing;
  • replacing all major mechanical systems with high-efficiency, energy-saving systems controlled by building automation;
  • remodeling art and music classrooms; and
  • providing abundant natural light through the use of window transoms and a large central skylight.
“Our challenge was to create a modern facility while maintaining the historical integrity and character of the oldest grade school in the District,” said Kevin Havens, Senior. Vice President and Director of Design, of Wight & Company.

The Elhurst district currently services more than 7,800 students who reside primarily in the city of Elmhurst and small portions of Oak Brook, Bensenville, and Addison. At present, District 205 maintains 13 schools (eight elementary schools, three middle schools, York Community High School, and an early childhood center).

The renovation and construction was managed by Wight & Company. For more information, visit www.wightco.com.

Featured

  • From Approval to Opening: Inside Travis Unified School District’s Fast Tracked Campus Expansion

    The Travis Unified School District (TUSD) in northern California includes several elementary and high schools serving over 5,400 students. In 2024, the TUSD Board approved the addition of sixth grade to the Golden West Middle School campus for the 2025–26 school year, setting in motion an accelerated effort to bring new facilities online in less than a year.

  • Full Sail University Announces First Student Housing Facility

    Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla., recently announced that development has begun on its first student housing community, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Nvision Development for construction and long-term management of the facility, which will stand five stories and have the capacity for more than 570 beds.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Opens New Office in Denver

    Education planning and design firm Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) recently announced that it has opened a new office in Denver, Colo., the firm’s third overall. QKA is headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., and runs an East Bay Area office in Oakland.