1. Adaptive reuse of a former bank building into the new headquarters for the nonprofit organization North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN), which works to advance the economic potential of residents returning from incarceration and others who face the day-to-day financial hardships of poverty.

2. The new headquarters and community hub features a community event center, a walled peace garden, a public plaza, and a new production space for its social enterprise, Sweet Beginnings, which harvests and processes honey, and the “Beelove Café” which serves coffee, tea, and baked goods made with that honey.

3. The renovation kept the exterior shell and major structure intact, reducing landfill use and offsetting the embodied energy and carbon expense of demolition and new construction of typical urban infill projects. The building reuse allowed the design team to highlight the existing structure and create a modest 350 square-foot glass addition that creates a new public face along the busy thoroughfare.

4. The revitalized 20,000 square-foot campus allows NLEN to double its prior capacity, serving 5,000 men, women, and young adults annually. The 50% increase in Sweet Beginnings production space will provide for the expansion of its transitional jobs program to include 100 new positions over five years and add six permanent positions to be filled locally.

5. The construction project exceeded city requirements, with a participation breakdown of 60% Minority-Owned Businesses and 8% Women-Owned Businesses.

The North Lawndale Employment Network transformed a former bank building into a vibrant community hub that supports residents returning from incarceration or facing financial hardships of poverty with pathways to economic prosperity.

Originally built in 1983, the bank structure was designed for security, with thick walls, few windows, and perimeter fencing. Now, new windows, a one-story transparent addition, and multiple green spaces transform the opaque façade and infuse the site with a sense of transparency and welcome.

At the heart of the building, the organization celebrates its most important asset, its community. The production space for Sweet Beginnings, an urban apiary enterprise, radiates from the center—with peek-through windows that display the transformational work taking place. The program also includes a café, offices, training rooms, a computer lab, a local bank, and a community event space with a private peace garden.

The project was executed using a design-bid-build delivery method, in accordance with City of Chicago and Illinois public funding requirements, that allows for competitive pricing and increased transparency. Though traditional in its delivery method, from the beginning, Wheeler Kearns Architects and UJAMAA Construction worked collaboratively with the Owner, NLEN, to make early decisions that would help identify scope and determine best construction practices to ensure that quality was always prioritized.

While the majority of the exterior of the existing masonry building remained intact, much of the project budget was used to verify that this building will remain resilient for decades to come. This work included reinforcing the masonry backup wall, tuckpointing brick, providing a new plumbing service and sanitary line, recertifying the electrical gears, replacing the existing elevator, providing additional accessible parking, installing fiber optic internet service, and providing a new network and wireless access throughout the facility. While some of these were code requirements, others were necessary investments to provide a transformed space worthy of the change happening within.

“People will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

North Lawndale Employment Network’s (NLEN) renewed home will serve as a tool to achieve their overarching goal of lowering the neighborhood unemployment rate by more than 10%, by providing clients and employees with dignified neighborhood and office spaces on par with any space in the City. NLEN was resolute that their client’s experiences in the building reflect the transformations possible in their own lives. This goal guided decision-making throughout the project.

While the former bank hid its treasures, NLEN celebrates its most important asset, its clients, by showcasing them working for its social enterprise, Sweet Beginnings, at the center of its campus. With honey harvested from their multiple city apiaries, clients process and package homegrown honey products in full view of inspired visitors, peering through windows opposite each entry. Brand new interior and exterior building signage, donor installations, and inspirational quote graphics serve to further amplify their message.

This focus on a dignified experience also included taking on the up-front cost to future-proof the design aesthetic, partnering with an award-winning interior design firm to create a welcoming interior experience. An elegant black and gold color palette on the walls and millwork with pops of deep greens and oranges, provides an intimate, hospitality-like experience throughout all the public spaces.

NLEN also decided to invest in quality audio and visual equipment to allow broadcasting of meetings and training sessions as far as an internet signal allows. With an ever-evolving work experience due to COVID-19 over the last two years, NLEN has proactively invested in their clients’ future technological needs with video conference ready training rooms allowing for a seamless experience between in-person and work-from-home requirements.

These features, along with a commitment to take care of potential maintenance scope, allow NLEN to enhance the safety and comfort of clients and employees while extending and ensuring the quality and reach of the program for decades to come.

The project had (1) incident in which an employee injured their leg. All contractors were given UJAMAA safety orientations prior to accessing the site. The project included fall protection safety, excavation safety, lock out tag out procedures, and intermittent shut down of utilities to facilitate work.

No COVID outbreaks were experienced on site. Masks were worn on site, body temperature was monitored, contact tracing procedures were available, extra port-o-johns with bi-weekly cleaning were provided, hand sanitizer was available, and a 6-foot distance rule was implemented during heightened Covid protocols, all in accordance with the City of Chicago and CDC guidance with bi-weekly updates.

Project scope required coordination with the City of Chicago Department of Buildings, City of Chicago Department of Water, I-DOT, ComEd, People’s Gas, Comcast, and AT&T. The project successfully implemented all coordination across all disciplines.

• Adaptive reuse project which transformed a former 10,000 SF synagogue into the new recreation and administrative facility for NSSRA.

• Ten Park districts, two cities and on village working together to fulfill the mission of “Enriching the Lives of People with Disabilities”, by providing quality special recreation services and support

• Consolidate recreational programming, informal gathering, planned events and office space into one central location

Founded a half-century ago in partnership with 13 regional park districts and municipalities, NSSRA shifted operations from its small, transit-oriented office to a newly renovated facility quadrupling its space. This expansion allows NSSRA to consolidate recreational programming, informal gathering, planned events, and office space into one central location.

The building aims for accessibility that is so integral and universal to the design that it’s seamless and invisible to all who enter the space. With utmost flexibility in mind, every room can be used for anything—dance, art, workout, casual conversation—the programmatic possibilities are limited only by imagination.

Entry steps were replaced with a forty-foot-wide entry ramp, so all users approach the building along the same universal path. A walled entry terrace offers a social heart for fresh air activities, such as gardening and art, along with a natural area for informal meeting and greeting.

Renovating a former synagogue, the team used a thoughtful approach to highlighting beautiful features of the building, while enhancing its utility and flexibility.
New window openings were added, and interior glazed walls were used to bring natural light into the office and program areas, giving an open feel to the spaces.
Durable materials that are easily maintained have been used throughout the building.

To manage and coordinate this project, W.B. Olson, Inc. assigned a superintendent who worked very well with the NSSRA staff, and who complimented their work culture. Bi-weekly progress meetings focusing on schedule, coordination, and quality were held during construction. Daily huddles and weekly contractor coordination meetings facilitated coordination, collaboration, constraint resolution, and the review of the schedule and priorities.

An early demolition phase was bid and completed to allow the design team to tailor the design to actual conditions in the building.
WBO scheduled the project with input from the subcontractors during the award process.
The NSSRA building renovation was completed on time and under budget.

NSSRA provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults with disabilities who live in its partner communities. NSSRA is an extension of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern suburbs of Chicago. This partnership includes the Park Districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka; the Cities of Highwood and Lake Forest; and the Village of Riverwoods. NSSRA has been creating an environment of belonging through play since 1970 and have the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country.

NSSRA believes that “everyone should have the chance to try something new.” They offer over 500 annual programs to thousands of participants, and their newly renovated facility provides over 10,000sf of new programming space, offering the opportunity for new programs that didn’t exist before. A new demonstration and teaching kitchen allows for food related programming, and a new 5000sf multi-purpose room allows for agency wide gatherings such as dances or parties. A new library offers a quite space for reading and contemplation, and a new movie theater in the old temple provides a variety of entertainment options. A new outdoor garden, art room and fitness room are also included, but the most prominent of the new spaces is the participant lounge, the true social heart of the facility and organization, where participants gather and socialize as they come and go from the community throughout the day.

The project was completed with no accidents.

• The project is a shocking contemporary interior renovation of an iconic campus building, making it usable for a variety of student types while keeping the building’s historic exterior intact.

• The renovation creates a modern, loft-like science hub, facilitating the growth of the physics department with highly flexible class labs and interdepartmental collaborations like a 3D printing lab.

• Located at the center of campus, Cudahy Hall draws in students from various life science and campus programs and gives a space for these students to interact and collaborate.

• The new interior reflects the flexibility, opacity, and interactivity that are foundational to the physics department and Loyola University education overall.

• Materials such as steel, glass, and matte and gloss paints are incorporated in the design to emphasize the dichotomy of the physical properties of light studied within the building.

Constructed in 1910, Cudahy Science Hall is a central campus landmark. In response to the continued evolution of science and technology and the desire to embrace modern and advanced pedagogies, Cudahy Hall was renovated to create a physics-inspired learning environment.

The new design supports student and faculty needs and positions the department for growth while celebrating the building’s history. In contrast to the brick exterior, the modern interior is bold and playful. Its innovative design reflects physics concepts in the way light refracts in the space.

Cudahy Hall is a hub for activity, drawing in students from various life science and campus programs. The lab program is revitalized through flexible learning spaces, and gathering areas extend peer-to-peer interaction beyond the classroom. Auxiliary teaching spaces such as maker spaces, student research, and 3D fabrication areas are showcased via deep-framed cut-outs along the central corridor.

SmithGroup worked closely with contractor b.Stromberg to ensure the team was utilizing the best methods to construct Cudahy Science Hall. The team was presented with several challenges when renovating the 110-year-old building. The existing elevator shaft could not be accessed from the east entry of the building. Additionally, the existing load bearing walls at the east entry that closed off and limited visual continuity from the entry to the floors. To allow the new elevator to service all floors and visually open the east entry, the load bearing walls needed to be removed. To do this, lateral bracing was installed prior to demolition of the floor slabs to provide temporary stability to the load bearing walls. The bracing was designed to allow installation of the shoring and demolition of the new mechanical shafts.

Following this, temporary shoring was installed to remove the load-bearing walls within the location of the new elevator shaft and main entry stair. The shoring at the base of the building spanned a length of about 30 feet and was installed at a depth near the existing foundations to allow proper construction sequencing the install of the new elevator and column foundations.
Because the science hall is located approximately 100 yards from Lake Michigan, the new elevator shaft foundation was below lake level and the local water table. Temporary dewatering was required to lower the water table around the new foundation during construction. Due to the sandy soil in this process, the team used vacuum pumps with fine filters.

When the demolition was complete, the team laser scanned the building to create the base model to perform BIM modeling for the MEP/FP team. The entire project team collaborated weekly to coordinate the exposed infrastructure, which ultimately eliminated any field re-work and allowed for the maximum floor height.

Finally, b. Stromberg Construction utilized CMiC Field to empower the project team to collaborate on project management tasks including RFI’s, submittals, drawing management, daily logs, and project meetings. The entire project team utilized Finishline list management solutions for punch list collaboration and completion.

Cudahy Hall’s science labs were outdated and the University wished to improve the building’s interior to best serve their students. They also needed to be able to expand the building efficiently over time to accommodate higher student enrollment. To achieve these goals, SmithGroup radically transformed the building’s interior, creating open collaboration spaces and putting “science on display” for all to see.

For example, deep-framed window cut-outs located throughout the building are multi-purpose as they offer impromptu seating, shelves to be used for displays, and a direct visual connection between corridor and classroom. Focusing on a holistic approach to student wellness and learning, the renovation improved the percentage of student-owned collaborative spaces from 2% to 15%. This includes an enhanced physics undergraduate organization room with new technology and worktables, a pantry, and lounge furniture so that students to decompress between classes or hang with friends while studying.

As the home to the physics department, the building also creates connections with multiple other science programs on campus, with spaces designed to provide the Registrar’s office with scheduling flexibility as space and program needs evolve from semester to semester and year to year.

The design team’s collaborative planning led to significant design discoveries. Faculty engagement revealed the importance for teachers to interact with students beyond classroom time, which was an important consideration for planning the offices within the building and providing flex space. Since a member of the physics faculty is also a member of the computer science department, the interdepartmental idea for maker space for both departments to share accommodates the faculty.

There were approximately 66,000 man hours worked on this project and due to the team making safety a top priority, there was zero lost time incidents. The team’s safety strategy included:
• Requiring all on site to wear the proper PPE
• Keeping the job site clean, which promoted respect for all on the site
• Conducting weekly site safety walks with the jobsite foreman to identify and resolve any potential issues
• Conducting subcontractor safety meetings onsite
• Closing off select areas of the building from worker access during certain activities where large amounts of structural modifications were being performed

To further promote safety during construction, the team diverted pedestrian traffic away from the east side of the building. All traffic in and out of the site was flagged, as trucks needed to cross pedestrian pathways. In addition, a temporary stair and landing platforms were built at each floor to let workers easily and safely hoist materials to each floor.

Approximately four months into construction, COVID-19 restrictions came about and the University went to remote learning. To mitigate the spread of the virus while continue to work on the building, the team implemented the following strategies:
• Conduct remote meetings when possible
• Reduce number of workers onsite to allow for additional distancing between workers and work zones
• Mask-wearing was mandatory for all workers and visitors
• Hand sanitizing stations were placed at multiple locations on each floor
• Temporary hand washing stations were installed on every other floor to encourage worker cleanliness
• Lunch and break times were staggered to allow proper spacing of people during these times
• Daily health screening questionnaire for all workers onsite
• Additional site cleanings
•Additional temporary toilet and hand cleaning stations

Because of all the safety measures put in place, and the caution the team took when on site, there was no known incidents where COVID-19 was spread on the job site.

1. Renovation of a two-story, 36,000 SF library originally built in 1919.

2. Scope included reconfiguring the existing floor plan, new interior finishes, improving accessibility by adding a lift to access the mezzanine level and elevator modernization along with upgrading mechanical systems, technology infrastructure, and fire/security systems, as well as LED lighting conversion

3. Technology upgrades and program enhancements will bring new opportunity to the residents of Chicago’s West Side

4. Legler Regional Library is the first CPL location to host “Artist in Residence”, a community space where a local artist will create projects for the surrounding community to take part

5. Additional scope included a roof replacement, accessibility and life safety improvements, and parking lot and security enhancements.

Originally built in 1919, the two-story, 36,000 SF library was in dire need of renovation and technology upgrades. The renovation included reconfiguring the existing floor plan to allow for updated technology infrastructure, new community study spaces, and updated studio spaces making room for new programs that the library will offer to the surrounding community. Additional scope included renovation of the bathrooms, new high-end finishes, roof replacement, and a lift installation to allow access to the mezzanine level of the library. This renovation transformed the Henry E. Legler library into a state-of-the-art facility to better serve the west side community.

As a part of Chicago Public Library’s “Branching out: Building Libraries, Building Communities” campaign, Legler Library will now have the capacity to provide the surrounding community residents with a multitude of new learning programs and entertainment avenues.

F.H. Paschen used our established, three-phase quality control program that is modeled after the US Army Corps of Engineers program and includes preparatory, initial, and follow-up inspections for each definable feature of work. F.H. Paschen encouraged full transparency and collaboration with all stakeholders and held numerous prefabrication and pre-pour meetings with the subcontractors and Owner’s representatives to discuss and confirm procedures, schedule, impacts on the community, and construction of mockups to ensure that all parties agreed on the products prior to fabrication and installation. As with all F.H. Paschen projects, quality control was addressed in detail at weekly project meetings to review the previous week and prepare for the week ahead.

We are proud of the fact that the work we do makes our communities a better place to work, live, learn, and play. But what’s even more important to us than the buildings we build, are the people we build them for.

This project had a 7.5% community hiring goal to bring opportunity for growth and development of local residents on Chicago’s West Side. We were able to exceed this goal, achieving a total community hiring percentage of 8.88%, helping to provide employment opportunities to residents of West Garfield Park and surrounding neighborhoods. These large-scale projects provide local citizens employment avenues that strengthen not only their careers, but the community workforce as well.

Outside of the West Garfield Park neighborhood, the City Residency requirement for this project was 50% which we exceeded, achieving 66.28%. Our goal was not only to give back to the local neighborhoods surrounding Legler Library, but to the residents of the entire City of Chicago as well.
The newly renovated Legler Library will allow the surrounding community to have a place to gain knowledge, collaborate with others, and provide access to upgraded technology use for schoolwork and entertainment. The redesigned floor plan allows for additional resources and space for programs such as “Artist in Residence”.

“Artist in Residence” is a new program being introduced which will give the surrounding community access to art projects inspired by a local artist. These projects will be available to all ages and will strengthen and enhance the learning capabilities of the residents that make up the West Side of Chicago. Legler Library is part of the “Branching Out: Building Libraries, Building Communities” initiative, and is the first Chicago Public Library location to host such a program.

Along with the learning opportunities Legler Library offers, newly renovated bathrooms and the reconfiguration of the existing floor plan also allow space for the homeless to use as warming and wash-up areas. From increased learning opportunities to aiding local citizens, the newly renovated Legler Library will have an immensely positive impact on Chicago’s west side community.

Photo Credit

Photographer: Clark Landwehr

This project had an excellent safety record with over 30,000 trade hours worked and one minor lost time, OSHA recordable incident resulting in no lost time to the project. To achieve these numbers, F.H. Paschen implemented a robust training program, requiring all supervisors to be 30-hour OSHA certified, first aid certified, and AED trained. We require mandatory Job Hazard Analysis on all self-performed work and implemented a Construction Safety Phasing Plan. Safety stand down meetings were held throughout the project on a variety of topics, to reinforce the safety-first mentality.

• Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep (CRSM) is a member of the national network of Cristo Rey schools whose mission is to serve underprivileged communities by providing high quality education opportunities to students. Their program creates a platform for youth, whose families are typically below the poverty line, to become first generation college students. CRSM brings state-of-the-art education space into a community that is struggling to meet Illinois state standards.

• After successfully transforming an abandoned Kmart into a state-of-the-art school for CRSM in 2018, McShane embarked on phase II of construction in early 2020. This involved the renovation of an additional 42,000 square feet at the 115,000-square-foot building, including four new classrooms, a chapel, office and meeting space, a fitness center, locker rooms and a gymnasium with a performing arts stage.

• Looking past the stigma of a big box retail store, the design-build team broke down barriers and developed a design that would inspire the students, faculty, administration and the community. The classrooms were designed to go against traditional classroom configurations with the use of skylights and glass wall partitions, and the original concrete floors were polished to reflect the sunlight through the glass walls.

• With the addition of athletics and performing arts space, the school’s facility is now on par with the amenities of surrounding public high schools.

• Construction was completed safely and efficiently. The project ended with a perfect safety record: ZERO OSHA recordables, ZERO restricted duty cases and ZERO lost-time days, despite the adjacent part of the school remaining fully functional during construction.

Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep is a member of the national network of Cristo Rey schools whose mission is to serve underprivileged communities by providing high quality education opportunities to students. Following the successful 2018 transformation of an abandoned Kmart into a state-of-the-art school for Cristo Rey St. Martin, McShane Construction Company embarked on Phase two of construction in early 2020. This involved the renovation of an additional 42,000 square feet, including four new classrooms, a chapel, office and meeting space, a fitness center, locker rooms and a gymnasium with a performing arts stage.

Looking past the stigma of a big box retail store, the design-build team broke down barriers and developed a design that would inspire the students, faculty, administration and the community. McShane worked to complete the addition safely and efficiently while the adjacent part of the school remained fully functional, ending with a perfect safety record.

Following the successful 2018 transformation of an abandoned Kmart into a state-of-the-art school for Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, McShane embarked on Phase II of construction in early 2020. This involved the renovation of an additional 42,000 square feet at the 115,000-square-foot-building, including four new classrooms, a chapel, office and meeting space, a fitness center, locker rooms and a gymnasium with a performing arts stage.

Looking past the stigma of a big box retail store, the design-build team broke down barriers and developed a design that would inspire the students, faculty, administration and the community. Lighting studies were used to find the most advantageous places to punch openings and bring in natural light. The classrooms were designed to go against traditional classroom configurations with the use of skylights and glass wall partitions, and the original concrete floors were polished to reflect the sunlight through the glass walls. The façade of the building showcases the school’s identity with blue and green gradient panels, visible along the major thoroughfare of Belvidere Road. With the addition of athletics and performing arts space, the school’s facility is now on par with the amenities of surrounding public high schools.

McShane’s goal is to provide the highest quality product for every client, and CRSM – Phase II was no exception. One of the ways the team was able to accomplish this was by performing detailed mock-up inspections. This practice allowed McShane’s experienced staff to work with subcontracting partners, designers and the client’s construction management team to ensure that their work met the quality expectations of all parties involved.

CRSM prides itself on its innovative approach to education where, in addition to their regular coursework, each student works for a corporation that sponsors their education. The expectation of CRSM students is already elevated to that of a college student; therefore, they deserve a facility that emulates this. The new facility strives to match the school’s innovative pedagogy, giving students the high-quality campus they deserve.

Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep brings state-of-the-art education space into a community that is struggling to meet Illinois state standards. CRSM was the first Catholic high school to open in 50 years in Lake County with 95 students in 2004. The school exclusively serves families with limited financial resources. Eighty-six percent of students qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program, as the average family income of the students enrolled is $41,717. CRSM’s mission is to provide Waukegan students with an exceptional, college-ready education and desperately needed the resources in a new facility to further these goals for the community. This adaptive reuse project also plays a vital role in enhancing the school’s culture of high academic expectations and innovative corporate work study program.

The transformation of the school has also brought a bright spot and source of pride to the community of Waukegan. Where once stood an abandoned Kmart now stands a first-class facility that equips students to become productive members of society. During the 2020-2021 school year, CRSM students provided nearly 3,000 hours of service to the surrounding community. Additionally, 96 percent of students met or exceeded the expectations of their work study supervisors. The class of 2021 had a 100 percent graduation rate, 100 percent acceptance into a four-year college and 92 percent college enrollment. These students will go on to become leaders in their communities, universities and future businesses.

McShane understands that safety is the number one priority on its job sites. Because the addition at CRSM was ongoing while the adjacent part of the school remained fully functional, it was imperative that McShane remain in constant communication with school officials to ensure that their operation was not affected and to ensure everyone’s safety.

To achieve this, the firm instituted its comprehensive Safety and Quality Assurance program throughout the construction of CRSM – Phase II, led by the dedicated Vice President of Safety and Risk Management. Each team member played a critical role in ensuring that the project stayed accident free. This was achieved through the following measures:
• Constant communication between office and field personnel
• Addressing any issues in a timely and efficient manner
• Constant auditing of the job site by both the safety department and project team
• Pre-construction meetings held with all subcontractors

In the end, after nearly 55,000 project man-hours, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep – Phase II had a perfect safety record with zero OSHA recordables, restricted duty case and lost-time days.

Redevelopment of Pullman National Monument’s 12-acre historic factory grounds.
Historic reconstruction of the site’s original 1880s worker’s gate and gatehouse.
Decorative interpretation of the transfer pit where trains car would shift from one factory wing to the other.
Extensive landscaping and hardscaping incorporating archaeological relics.
Restoration of the remnant wall south of the visitor’s center to welcome visitors to imagine the south factory wing and invite movie goers to view movies projected on the visitor’s center wall.

After President Barack Obama designated Pullman National Monument Chicago’s first national park, designers and elected officials came together to plan the revitalization of the historic Pullman community. The completion of this project is a major milestone in this revitalization, as it serves as a gateway to invite the public to learn about the rich history of the neighborhood.

The 12-acre site features inviting landscaping that incorporates archival factory relics, reconstruction of historic elements and the development of educational exhibits. The historic worker’s gate reconstruction restores pedestrian access between the neighborhood and the monument site, while the transfer pit corridor educates visitors about factory operations and workforce.

The redevelopment and design of this iconic piece of the Pullman community serves to honor its place as an innovator in modern urban planning, while educating the public on the role Pullman played in the civil and labor rights movements.

Since a large amount of this project’s scope included recreation of historic features from the original Pullman factory site, the project team employed innovative techniques to ensure historic accuracy. The team worked to replicate elements of the worker’s gate, gatehouse, transfer pits and front lawn using historic photos as reference. Submittals were reviewed by multiple levels to ensure historical accuracy and preservation were being prioritized and obtained.

The team utilized pre-planning meetings that included onsite sample reviews to compare existing materials. Limestone samples were sourced from different quarries throughout the Midwest to find a sample that best matched the existing limestone on the factory. Once the perfect limestone sample was selected, it was used to reconstruct the factory ground’s historic worker’s gate and gatehouse. Limestone pieces for the site plaza were numbered like a puzzle to ensure all pieces were accurately placed, and the owner and architect’s team members performed weekly site visits to ensure quality installation.

The layout of the edging, pavers and rail ties was precisely planned to account for the transfer pit tracks. 500-pound pieces of track were laid in 500-foot straight lines, and salvaged rail ties that were found during site clearing were cleaned and straightened to work within the quality guidelines of the project.

With the challenges of procurement, the team developed a plan for completing the transfer pit by sharing a stone conveyor and crane amongst the various trades to help ease and expedite installation.

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives and the Positioning Pullman collaborative headed by AIA Chicago and the National Parks Conservation Association is committed to restoring the historic Pullman city and investing in new development in the community. The completion of this project is a major step in creating a welcoming, accessible environment for visitors and residents of the neighborhood.

At the completion of this element of the larger Pullman redevelopment, a grand opening ceremony was hosted, and the monument was officially opened to the public. The grand opening ceremony was well attended by politicians and historians, with the hope of creating more awareness of the treasure in this community.
Like many neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago, Pullman has been largely divested in over the course of the last century. The interest around Pullman National Monument will help build continued momentum for additional economic investment in the neighborhood. It can also inspire other major projects in the community to be completed, including infrastructure improvements such as public transit and streets and the development of various art spaces.

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives’ work in Pullman, which includes this project, has attracted $370 Million in investment, and created more than 600 construction jobs and nearly 1,500 permanent jobs.

Pullman’s diverse history has shaped the American landscape of urban design, architecture, labor and civil rights. This site serves as a public space for visitors and community members to gather and learn about the history of the neighborhood.

W.E. O’Neil successfully partnered with its subcontractor workforce throughout the entire duration of the project and was committed to providing a safe workplace for all workers as well as the surrounding community.

A comprehensive, site-specific, safety program was put into place before preconstruction began. The safety program was tailored to the Pullman National Monument Site Redevelopment project specifically and included the following:

• Safety orientations for every worker
• Pre-installation meetings to identify potential safety concerns
• Pre-construction meetings with the Project Manager, Project Superintendent, and Safety Director to review scope, identify safety hazards, and develop corrective actions
• Site-specific safety manuals for each subcontractor for their scope of work
• Project-wide six (6) foot fall rule which is above and beyond OSHA standards
• Review of subcontractor safety programs to assure that all subcontractors met the safety requirements of the project
• Safety meetings and inspections to ensure that everyone working on the site understood and implemented the safety expectations

W.E. O’Neil’s outstanding safety record resulted in over 50,000 man-hours for the project with no injuries or incidents.

-The 75,000 sq. ft. expansion project creates a welcoming new entry and identity for the school while celebrating the architectural and cultural legacies of the site.

-A new, one-story contemporary glass link connects the existing and historic 1911, three-story academic building to a former Catholic Church, which has been thoughtfully adapted to serve as the enrichment center of the school.

-Atop the new glass link, a green roof is designed to reduce groundwater runoff, improve building thermal insulation and lessen the urban heat island.

-Under the soaring ceiling of the former church, students socialize and compete in their new gymnasium, on a regulation-sized basketball court, volleyball court, and climbing wall. When the gym is not in use, a new stage and art room turned green room provides scholars with a facility to host theatrical, music and dance performances.

-The new cafeteria and serving lines are separated from the gym by a sliding curtain. The new commercial kitchen will enable GLA to operate as a Designated Food Authority, preparing and serving over 600 healthy breakfast and lunch meals to students every day. The new serving lines will also serve as a food service demonstration area that the school and community will use for food-service training.

Great Lakes Academy students now have more space to learn & create thanks to the renovation & expansion designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects & built by Bulley & Andrews. The 75k sq. ft. adaptive reuse doubled the size of the campus by renovating an unused church adjacent to the existing school & connecting the two buildings.

The design combines old & new, with modern glass connecting the existing school & church buildings dating back to 1911 & 1952, respectively. Prioritizing both form & function, the new spaces feature natural light & make the most of what used to be. For example, a once decorated pulpit now serves as a climbing wall & the magnitude of the sanctuary space enjoyed by students for an array of activities.

The new outdoor spaces encourage exploration. Teachers can now hold outdoor classes, families can socialize & students play in safe areas. The site also features a new courtyard entryway, student playground, soccer field & a safe drop-off/pick-up area.

As with any adaptive reuse project, investigating the existing conditions during preconstruction was critical to start the project off on a high note. The addition connecting the school and the adjacent church required coordination in order for elevations to match. To achieve this, B&A’s Technology and Innovation team utilized laser scanning to verify all field conditions and then converted them to REVIT models. These models provided Wheeler Kearns with reliable information in order to make design recommendations to the school.

During the construction phase, several steps were taken to ensure precise and durable building. B&A understood how Great Lakes Academy envisioned using the adapted church, comparing it to how the church was used in the past. Going from a sanctuary space to a more active one as a gymnasium and lunch facility, floor reinforcement was required for the school to fully embrace the spaces underneath the church’s roof. Originally built with a suspended concrete waffle slab, B&A utilized carbon fiber reinforcement to re-support the existing structure for new use, as required by building codes.

The existing envelope of the church was also improved, as B&A upgraded the roof and exterior wall insulation. Our team also removed the existing stained glass windows and replaced them with IGU.

Acoustics within the church were upgraded with fabric wall panels around the parameter and high vaulted ceilings to ensure noise doesn’t disrupt learning in the adjacent spaces.

The Great Lakes expansion and renovation project has impacted the community it serves and the one surrounding it. With twice the physical footprint, Great Lakes students are now enriched beyond core subjects, with access to programs such as art, music, basketball, volleyball, soccer and nutrition, which were previously unable to be supported due to lack of space.

Beyond the school’s walls, the new spaces serve as an incubator for education, professional development and vocational training for the school community and the South Chicago neighborhood at large. The facility and campus are intentionally designed to leverage its resources to the greatest extent possible, providing access to the community on the weekends and evenings, when school is not in session.

Great Lakes Academy is located in the South Chicago neighborhood, once the center of Chicago’s booming steel industry until factory closures led to decades of disinvestment. After decades of stagnancy, the underutilized city block will begin a bright new future as a beacon of education for its surrounding South Chicago community, with the church once known as St. Mary Magdalene anchoring the campus.

Involved in the project from start to finish, including the initial demolition of an existing building, Bulley & Andrews implemented a site-specific safety plan that considered all nuances of the project and provided solutions to appropriately mitigate safety concerns.

A safety concern of major importance was the overhead power lines running through the entire project. Through proper planning, B&A maintained clearance from the power lines during the demolition and expansion phases, limiting disturbance from construction.

With all hands on deck to finish the project before the start of the 2021 school year, maintaining a safe site was critical given the number of professionals who helped bring the project to life. No lost time injuries were recorded, an accomplishment supported by the teamwork of 80-100 workers on site during construction six-days a week.

•Renovations to the Willis Tower Skydeck enhance one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. The55,500-square-foot entryway and exhibition area expands and elevates the experience of visitors to one of the world’s most iconic observation desks with state-of-the-art displays that educate guests about the history and culture of the city

•Interior enhancements, improved lighting and building technology upgrades to the 103rdfloor observation deck highlight Willis Tower’s architecture and its place in Chicago’s skyline. The space honors the structural clarity and simplicity of the tower’s original design approach and provides a backdrop for visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of the city.

•The renovations are of the highest quality, with a design befitting of the landmark skyscraper and technology that will enhance the public’s enjoyment of Willis Tower for decades. To accomplish this, Clark built a detailed virtual model of the building’s aging infrastructure and used it to finalize the design of key building systems with architect SOM and trade contractors. Clark then worked with onsite building systems personnel throughout construction and startup to ensure the renovated space met design and performance goals for current visitors and generations to come.

•The project was delivered with zero injuries or lost time incidents while performing complex construction activities such as heavy demolition in an occupied office building.

•The renovation addressed critical safety issues with the building’s high-speed elevators. Clark designed and constructed much-needed modernizations to elevator shaft access for repairs and emergency preparedness, and performed safety training in conjunction with representatives from Willis Tower, Chicago Fire Department Leadership and Rescue personnel, the City of Chicago, and emergency response consultants.

In 2021, Clark completed enhancements to the Willis Tower Skydeck, one of Chicago’s busiest tourist attractions. The 55,500-square-foot entryway and exhibition area features museum-quality exhibits highlighting Chicago’s history, architecture, and culture. From the exhibit area, elevators whisk visitors to the 103rd-floor observation deck. The high-speed elevators were modernized with critical safety features including a machine room expansion, structural steel reinforcements, and additional fire department rescue openings. Observation deck interior enhancements included improvements to restrooms, security screening and ticketing areas, improved lighting, and building technology upgrades. Clark used virtual design and construction to survey existing building systems and worked with architect SOM to finalize key components of the design, and ultimately deliver a successful project. The newly renovated Skydeck welcomes visitors to enjoy interactive exhibits and greatly expanded views.

The vision for the revitalized Skydeck was a stripped-down design that put the focus on the view. “In creating the new Skydeck, we wanted to honor the structural clarity and simplicity of the tower’s original design approach,” explains Scott Duncan, SOM Design Partner. The scope included demolishing the existing 103rd floor observation space and installed new high-end finishes and MEP systems, including a complete air handler system on the 104th floor. But first, the construction team first needed to address the aging building’s existing infrastructure.

Over 50 years of unidentified MEP systems existed within the building, some of which had been abandoned for years. Prior to construction, the team needed to identify and address these existing systems. Clark created a virtual survey to locate and trace the building’s piping, ductwork and power and low voltage conduits to coordinate these with the newly designed infrastructure.

Clark’s in-house VDC experts performed an extensive investigation utilizing 3D scanning technology to identify areas where existing MEP interfered with proposed renovation work. This data was then used to create a point cloud that captured existing building systems, along with key structural and architectural elements. The team then converted the point cloud into a mesh, which allowed solid MEP items to be shown in the model. The scan was used to create an as-built virtual model of the existing MEP systems to coordinate the new design.

Once the as-built model was developed, Clark worked with SOM and Thinc Design to review the proposed design and finalize routing of the new MEP systems. Some existing systems were rerouted or, if not needed, removed to allow for new construction without impact to existing building operations. This survey process also verified existing structural and architectural elements to assist the design team with completion of the design. Once the design was coordinated, trade partners completed the final coordination model for MEP clash detection to develop shop drawings. During construction, Clark worked directly with Willis Tower’s onsite building engineering team, operations security personnel and other key consultants to coordinate installation and startup.

The team’s in-house scanning and virtual design capabilities were instrumental in the design and coordination of MEP systems and structural components for the new Skydeck, enabling the design to be completed in an expedited manner to meet the owner’s schedule. The process ensured that the quality of these critical building systems will not only support the needs of the iconic building for years to come, but also enhance the design of the stripped-down exhibit space.

The newly-renovated Willis Tower Skydeck is a homage to the City of Chicago, showcasing the people, architecture, communities, and culture that make the Windy City unique. Completed in 1973, Willis Tower held the title of the tallest building in the world for 25 years and is an iconic part of Chicago’s skyline. TheSkydeck, the highest observation deck in the United States, is one of the most popular attractions in Chicago, with over1.7million visitors each year.

The space is designed as an interactive experience that educates both tourists and locals about Chicago’s history and identity:

•The “Origins” section includes a history of the city from the Great Chicago Fire to the reversal of the Chicago River.

•The “Architecture” exhibit features a three-minute film with a bird’s-eye perspective from the lake into the iconic skyline, with Willis Tower in the center. Several buildings in the skyline are highlighted with models and facts about their construction.

•A simulated ride in a life-size “L” train car runs through nine different neighborhoods, including Pilsen, Hyde Park, Garfield Park, Northalsted and Chinatown, with scenes from each community featured on the route.

•Then comes the “Taste of Chicago,” where visitors can glimpse notable Chicago foods.

•Other sections feature famous Chicago celebrities; a faux Second City stage with microphones, laugh and applause tracks for visitors to tell jokes; the city’s music scene and landmarks; and an “Urban Playground” of local events and favorite spots.

•The observation deck features interactive video screens featuring information about Chicago’s historic architecture and surrounding attractions. Visitors can step out on clear glass ledges to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the skyline.

Randy Stancik, General Manager, Skydeck Chicago/Willis Tower, summarizes the impact of the space. “We want to showcase the people, what is rich about the city. The intention is a free-flowing experience, dedicated to Chicago, that can stand on its own.”

The Willis Tower Skydeck renovation achieved an exceptional safety record during construction, with no injuries or lost time incidents throughout the duration of the project. The team worked in an occupied office building to perform heavy demolition and rework of the base building structure. A key part of the safety effort included collaborating with Otis Elevator and the Chicago Fire Department to create a quick and effective safety plan to facilitate elevator maintenance and rescue at the skyscraper. There are only two elevators in Willis Tower that transport tourists from the Lower Level 2 queueing area to the 103rd Floor Skydeck. The elevator machines had not been replaced since the original construction of the tower in 1973.

Due to the popularity of the Skydeck with visitors, one elevator car must remain operational while another is out of service. The cars are located inside a joint hoistway that operated as a blind shaft, meaning only one access existed at the bottom and top of the shaft. For Otis to safely work on the elevator while the other car remained operational, the hoistway needed to be divided into two separate elevator shafts. Clark was tasked with developing a solution to modernize access in compliance with city codes. This work included expanding the elevator machine room at the 106th floor and installing new rescue openings, structural steel reinforcement, and steel bridge platforms across mechanical shafts.

Clark installed a quarter mile of steel screen in the middle of the hoistway. This screen was equipped with sliding doors in case Otis needed to transfer from one side of the shaft to the other while working on the elevator. In addition, two essential openings (one for each car) were installed on every other floor to the top of the building. This allowed the Chicago Fire Department to safely access either car in case of an emergency inside the shaft.

To debut the solution, from January 20th to 22nd, 2021, Clark held six identical joint training exercises with representation from Willis Tower (Engineering, Security & Life Safety, Otis Elevator, Skydeck), Chicago Fire Department Leadership and Rescue personnel, the City of Chicago, and emergency response consultants.

• Rehabilitation of exterior limestone clad walls included parapet/gable rebuilds, ornate finial replacement, ashlar/mullion stone replacement and tuckpointing of 100% of the limestone.

• Complete removal of all low and steep sloped existing roof membranes (asbestos containing material) and re-roofing including new clay tile and accessory of copper flashings.

• Restored 387 leaded glass windows with new glass, glazing and coatings.

• Introduced a new structural fall protection system consisting of horizontal lifelines, tie back anchors, and guardrails to comply with OSHA requirements.

• The work was completed over two summer phases, each comprising of 12 week-long repair durations.

The exterior restoration and rehabilitation of The University of Chicago’s historic Charles H. Judd Hall consisted of the replacement of the roof, masonry facade repairs, and steel window replacement. The work also encompassed the rehabilitation and replacement of varied envelope features including masonry, roofing, gutters, copper flashings, windows, fall protection, and above roof line features. The building is known for its delicately detailed Gothic flourishes.

Berglund Construction utilized the preconstruction phase to engage each subcontractor in a kick-off meeting prior to the start of their work. To create a successful project, the team discussed means and methods, schedule, procurement time, constructablility, quality and safety. A strict 100% material verification process was conducted throughout the project, and all material was verified against approved submittals as it was off-loaded from delivery trucks. Additionally, deficiency logs were kept and tracked any items that were not in conformance with construction documents allowing the project team to ensure correct installation.

The project team worked diligently to reuse and restore materials throughout this rehabilitation project. The goal was to utilize as many sustainable measures as possible to avoid any long-lasting impact the environment. In fact, some materials including salvaged ornate limestone finials were donated to Architectural Artifacts, a way of preserving history to share with future generations. Prior to the work and because of the historic nature of the building, the facade and ornate pieces throughout were becoming a tremendous safety hazard to students, faculty and visitors. Now, since the successful completion, the building has been restored still showcasing historic details while providing a safer environment to all.

Berglund Construction carries an EMR of .54. The industry standard is a 1.0 and rating under 1.0 indicate a company working safely. The project had an excellent safety record with zero recordable incidents. Daily safety inspections were preformed by the project team and monthly safety inspections were performed by the Berglund Construction’s Sr. Vice President of Safety.