Nathan Hale Elementary School Annex
Chicago (Clearing West)
3-story, 41,000 sf expansion
LEED Gold Certified
Under “Modern Schools Across Chicago,” the Public Building Commission (PBC) retained Eckenhoff Saunders to design and construct a new academic annex for Nathan Hale Elementary School. The 41,300 sf, three-story annex connects to the north end of the existing school. Built in the mid-20th century, the original building features subtle Art Deco details. The annex replicates and adapts this architectural language while using aluminum panels to express its contemporary origins. The panels clad a cantilevered bay in the art classroom, capturing ample daylight and providing views of the adjacent park.
The annex serves 360 students and includes 11 standard classrooms, a computer classroom, an art classroom, student pull-out rooms, administrative offices, and a new commercial kitchen with student dining facilities. The project also included acoustical improvements to the auditorium.
To make the school safer, more resilient, technologically adaptable, and environmentally responsible, the annex features a new fire alarm system, programmable HVAC systems, upgraded IT infrastructure, low-emitting building materials, and security cameras that can be linked to the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Site improvements included upgraded parking, a trash and recycling enclosure, and the conversion of existing asphalt paving into new open green space. The project achieved LEED Gold certification.