Holy Family Ministries Center

Chicago, IllinoisNew Construction

Project of DistinctionFGM Architects Inc.

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Holy Family Ministries Center

A Neighborhood’s Center

Community Environment

This facility benefits not only the school’s student population, but all neighborhood children. In partnership with the local park district, the neighboring YMCA and the Homan Square Community Center, local children can use the school during summer months. Inversely, Holy Family students are able to use these organizations’ facilities for before and after-school programs during the school year. This joint partnership bonds the school and the community and adds a year-long safe haven for students in this urban neighborhood.

The Truly Multi-Purpose RoomCommunity Environment Continued

A weekly school-wide chapel meeting is the heart of the curriculum and necessitates a large gathering space for the school. This Multi-Purpose Room is designed as a cafeteria, gym and chapel space with moveable furniture and fold-up bleachers, where students for years to come will celebrate graduations, assemblies and chapel gatherings, as well as before- and after-school programs. This space serves as the link between Holy Family and the Homan Square community in location and function and is appropriately named after the neighborhood’s original visionary and developer – the Charles Shaw Community Room.

Enlightened LearningLearning Environment

Colored glass in the library and state-of-the art computer lab, suggestive of stained glass, but at a more economical price, bring the school’s vibrant color into the learning space. Ten foot ceilings and large floor to ceiling windows let in an abundance of natural light – a powerful tool that engages student learning.

Learning through Doing Learning Environment Continued

The green roof provides a significant feature to the school’s learning environment consisting of 2’x 2’ pre-seeded trays that have grown into plants. The roof gives the school a sustainable system and offers an open Demonstration Garden where students can learn hands-on about science and the importance building sustainability.

Displaying Community PridePhysical Environment

The exterior expresses the school’s vibrant character with red, charcoal and cream colored layers of block, inspired by African textiles and neighboring buildings in the Homan Square Complex. These African tapestry influences on the exterior and interior finishes support the program’s focus on a sense of community pride and heritage. FGM simplified the form of the building into box volumes and used simple materials: utility brick and block load bearing walls with precast plank floor construction and exposed finishes to fit into severe budget constraints. The classrooms have 10-foot ceilings with exposed duct work and lots of natural light.

Inspiring InteriorsPhysical Environment Continued

Designers wrapped the colorful exterior inside through the lobby, hallways and into classrooms through colorful floor tiles. These not only create an aesthetically pleasing environment for the students, but also direct student’s attention to the teacher and teaching wall in front of class.

Comprehensive Design ProcessPlanning Process

Engaged in 2004, FGM led the Holy Family community through a comprehensive design process. Conducting three community forums – “Creating a Vision: Supporting Your Dreams,” “Creating a Program,” and “Creating a Concept” – teachers, staff, administration and community members determined the support, direction and needs of the facility.

Step 1Data

Gathering

Step 1Data

Gathering

Task Force

Administration

Faculty/Staff

Students

Community

Step 2

Community Forum 1

Step 2

Community Forum 1

Task Force

Administration

Faculty/Staff

Students

Community

Step 3Community

Forum 2

Step 3Community

Forum 2

Task Force

Administration

Faculty/Staff

Students

Community

Step 4Community

Forum 3

Step 4Community

Forum 3

Task Force

Administration

Faculty/Staff

Students

Community

Creating a Vision:

Supporting Your Dreams

Creating a Program

Creating a Concept

Community ForumsPlanning Process Continued

Community Forum participants were inspired by quotes at the beginning of each session to understand the impact of the new school – one most memorable by Winston Churchill, “We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” The quote was reflective of the process of designing the school and on the impact the new building will have on the community at large. The location of the Multi-Purpose Room – to be used as a gym, cafeteria, community space and chapel – in the Center’s core reflects the overall goal of the facility – to serve the community at all times.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Data

Submitting Firm : FGM Architects Inc.Project Role Architect of Record / Design ArchitectProject Contact Jim Woods, AIA, REFP, LEED® APTitle Executive Vice PresidentAddress 1211 West 22nd Street, Suite 705City, State or Province, Country Oak Brook, Illinois 60523Phone 630.574.8300

Joint Partner Firm: N/AProject Role N/AProject Contact N/ATitle N/AAddress N/ACity, State or Province, Country N/APhone N/A

Other Firm: N/AProject Role N/AProject Contact N/ATitle N/AAddress N/ACity, State or Province, Country N/APhone N/A

Construction Firm: W.B. OlsonProject Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Dave OlsonTitle Project ManagerAddress 3235 Arnold Lane, C/O Pat HarperCity, State or Province, Country Northbrook, Illinois 60062Phone 847.498.3800

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Details

Project Name  Holy Family Ministries Center

City  Chicago

State Illinois

District Name  N/A

Supt/President  Dr. Susan Work, President

Occupancy Date  June 2008

Grades Housed Pre-K – 8th Grade

 

Capacity(Students)  310 students

Site Size (acres) 1.23 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 45,000 sf

Per Occupant(pupil)  145 sf/student gross

gross/net please indicate  45,000 gsf/ 38,250 nsf = 85%

 

Design and Build?  No

If yes, Total Cost: N/A

Includes: N/A

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $423,302

Building Construction: $8,366,116

Fixed Equipment: $170,000

Other:

 

Total: $8,968,418

A Community’s Center“Our new building is truly beautiful and makes a strong visual statement on the street and on the (shared) campus.”- Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

A Community’s Center“We selected FGM because their design seemed to best balance our desire to bring beautiful architecture into a long-struggling urban neighborhood.”- Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

A Community’s Center“The interior spaces reflect so well the unique aspects of the youth programs we operate.”- Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

A Community’s Center

“There are too-few quality schools in this neighborhood, and there are almost no facilities as light, bright and comfortable as this one.”- Kristen Dean, Homan Square Community Center Foundation

A Community’s Center

“In partnership with Chicago’s low-income communities, we provide safe havens where children and adults learn, grow

spiritually, find hope and broaden life skills.”- Holy Family Ministries Mission