10/03/2011
The Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) is the recipient of the 2011 ENR Midwest Award of Merit in the K-12 Educational Facilities category for the development of the new Ogden International School of Chicago.
Winning projects will be featured in the November 28, 2011 edition of ENR Midwest. Awards will be presented at a breakfast at the Crowne Metro Chicago Plaza on December 6, 2011.
The new school, located at 24 W. Walton Street on the city’s near north side, was complete and open to CPS students in Fall 2011. Ogden is one of 19 new school projects developed since 2008 by the PBC on behalf of the Chicago Public Schools through the Modern Schools Across Chicago program.
“We are honored to be recognized for the development of Ogden International School of Chicago,” said Executive Director Erin Lavin Cabonargi. “The compact urban site presented a unique set of challenges, yet we were able to complete the school on time, under budget and with innovative elements such as a roof top recreational space and an integrated photovoltaic system.”
The 109,000-square-foot school features 24 academic classrooms, six pre-k/kindergarten classrooms, gymnasium, library, computer and science labs, music classroom, art classrooms, student dining facility in addition to an underground parking structure.
Ogden International School of Chicago was designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification from U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to implementing LEED practices in design and construction, specific elements include the design and utilization of green roofs throughout, a storm water harvesting system for landscaping irrigation, photovoltaic glazing panels at the library feature window, and a kiosk monitoring the performance of these elements in real time that can be used as an instructional tool for students.
The PBC also implements an economic sustainability program for each project it takes on that includes bid incentives for the employment of apprentices, and minority and female workers; community hiring and resident workforce requirements; and contract provisions that require minority- and women-owned business participation and local business participation. As paid to date on Ogden School, the PBC has achieved minority- and women-owned business participation of 39% — far exceeding its minimum participation goals.
The Public Building Commission of Chicago manages construction and renovation projects for the City of Chicago and its sister agencies. Mayor Rahm Emanuel serves as the PBC’s chairman. Erin Lavin Cabonargi serves as the Executive Director of the PBC. Additional information about the PBC and its projects can be found at www.pbcchicago.com.
