Facilities
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), through the Public Building Commission (PBC), engaged FGM Architects to design an addition for the school as well as a renovation for the existing building. Milhouse was retained to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design services associated with the project.
The project was fast-tracked, allowing the design to be completed within a four-month period over the winter, in time for the renovation project to be bid and awarded, as well as for the renovation work to be completed before school resumed in the fall. The LEED-certified addition includes a new electrical service, sprinkler system, rooftop units for ventilation, a science lab, a sophisticated technology classroom, and a gymnasium.
The renovation work included rehabbing the existing unit ventilators; upgrading the fire alarm system; modifying the cold and hot water services; and adding a hood to the existing kitchen. The compressed construction schedule called for the renovation to be complete by mid-August and for the addition, which includes an elevator, to be ready for use in December. Due to funding limitations that arose during the time of the bid, the original bid package had to be broken into two bid documents with the second package back on the street within three weeks of the original bid date.
The project required that Milhouse collaborate closely with public agencies and the prime consultant to coordinate the work and complete the project on time.
