Monastery Converted to High School Science Wing with Planetarium

Marist High School, a Chicago-based Catholic school, transformed a former monastery into a high-tech science wing with a planetarium. The $15 million project was funded by two major donors and also by parents, alumni and friends of Marist. Renovating the 28,000 square foot former monastery increased the school’s learning space by 20 percent.

Marist High School, a Chicago-based Catholic school, transformed a former monastery into a high-tech science wing with a planetarium.

The new science wing was created to provide hands-on learning experiences and collaboration. "I want [students] to have their hands on something every day,” Science Curriculum Coordinator Carrie Spano told a local news reporter. “I want them to be able to learn by doing."

With that goal in mind, the building includes:

  • Ten new science labs dedicated to a specific branch of science including two bio labs, two chemistry labs and one AP lab;
  • An anatomy and physiology lab with a glass-walled space that looks like a hospital room;
  • Two physics labs with direct access to the courtyard for outdoor experimentation;
  • An observatory dome for astronomy studies;
  • A forensics crime lab;
  • An environmental science lab and green roof;
  • A collaboration center for teachers to meet and plan cross-curricular STEM lessons;
  • Mobile furniture that allows classes to change quickly from lecture to group work to lab experiments;
  • Student and teacher access to labs for independent research and experiments; and
  • A walkover path from the existing school hallway.

The planetarium was designed and installed by Spitz, the same company who installed the Adler Planetarium in downtown Chicago. In addition, students will have access to a 3D viewer created by Zygote that allows them to use a touch screen to explore human anatomy including the muscular or skeletal system.

Fox and Fox served as architect and construction was completed by Henry Brothers. The project was managed by Jones Lang LaSalle and landscaping along the exterior and in the courtyard was done by Quattrocki.

The science wing debuted on Aug. 23, the first day of school.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Case Study Highlights Texas District’s Campus Security Upgrades

    The Taft Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently partnered with Intech Southwest Services to revamp its campus security technology system, according to a news release. Intech has released a case study on its website detailing the process that advanced the district’s technology by more than 20 years in less than three weeks.

  • woman looking at futuristic data display

    7 Technology Strategies for Future-Forward Facilities Management

    From college and university systems to K–12 districts, campus facilities and technology leaders must make strategic technology decisions that support both current needs and future possibilities.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Zurn Releases New Ductile Iron Frame Trench Drain System

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently released the newest addition to its Train Drench portfolio, the Ductile Iron Frame Trench Drain System, according to a news release. The product is designed for heavy-duty applications like airports, military, universities, and more.