Take a Look at Design Proposals for New Trier Buildings

On Monday, Feb. 10, three architectural design teams presented their ideas for a modern facility to replace three adjacent buildings that are among the oldest, most inefficient, and most inaccessible on New Trier’s Winnetka Campus. The presentations focused on replacing the 1912 Cafeteria, 1931 Tech Arts Building, and 1950 Music Building with a facility that is more energy efficient, accessible, and that meets the 21st century academic needs of New Trier students. The District asked the teams to include additional flexible academic and elective classrooms, additional library space, and a multipurpose cafeteria/meeting/study space in their presentations. 

The teams were instructed to present a potential project that was smaller and costs significantly less than the one proposed by the District in 2010. As a result, the designs did not include a new gym, field house, fitness facilities, or underground parking – all parts of the 2010 proposal that were cut to decrease the size and cost of any potential project. 

The design teams are: CannonDesign, HBRA Architects, and The Third Teacher; Moore Ruble Yudell and Legat Architects; and Wight & Company. These conceptual designs are a starting point for a discussion with the community, parents, students, faculty, and staff and do not reflect the final design. The Board of Education is expected to select one team to move forward with an initial concept and to begin those community discussions.

In addition, New Trier has developed a website that shows all the design boards submitted from each team and solicits public input:http://www.newtrier.k12.il.us/page.aspx?id=32997.

What do you think of the designs? Let us know in the comments below.