Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Illinois Elementary School Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/25/25

Heather Hill Elementary School, part of Flossmoor School District 161 in Palatine, Ill., recently broke ground on a new addition to the school focused on student support and security, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers for the expansion as part of a longer-term facility planning and modernization initiative.

The new space will feature a security vestibule, main office, student support space with collaboration areas, and modernized kindergarten classrooms. The project is part of an ongoing collaboration between the district and Wold, starting in 2017, to update district facilities according to thoughtful, long-term planning efforts; educational priorities; and the goals and expectations listed in the district’s strategic plan, the news release reports.

“We’re excited to bring Flossmoor’s vision to life, creating a more secure, dynamic and supportive learning environment for students and staff,” said Mike Eichhorn, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, Principal at Wold. “This addition at Heather Hill Elementary isn’t just about expanding space; it’s about enhancing the student experience and fostering a thriving educational community.”

The project is scheduled for completion before the 2025–26 academic year begins, according to the news release.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on this much-needed addition at Heather Hill Elementary,” said Dana Smith, district superintendent. “Through our continued partnership with Wold, we are making our strategic vision a reality, ensuring our facilities foster both safety and academic excellence for generations of students to come.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Surging Demand for Student Housing Fuels Major Campus Investment Opportunities

    University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary enrollment is projected to grow through the end of the decade, with undergraduate enrollment alone expected to increase by more than 8 percent by 2030.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • California Middle School Breaks Ground on Major Renovation Project

    The Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) in Hillsborough, Calif., recently began construction on new multipurpose and administration facilities for Crocker Middle School, according to a news release.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.