Chicago, January 21,2008
ISI’s Epstein-ISI’s Interior Design for British School of Chicago Focuses on Creative Learning Environment
Requirements for a unique, creative learning environment drove the interior design process for the new British School of Chicago, says Sue Jacobson, senior technical architect, Epstein-Interior Space International (ISI). Epstein-ISI provided full interior design services for the new 75,000 square foot building, using energy-efficient lighting, flexible classroom arrangements and special acoustical design in performance spaces.
“The British School asked us to think outside of the box for their new building in Chicago,” said Jacobson, who also served as architect of record for the building. “They didn’t want a typical plain-vanilla school structure, but rather something that reflects the special teaching and learning environment nurtured by the School.”
Students are encouraged to work independently and in small groups, so the new space needed to provide appropriate space for these activities. Small lounge-type areas and scattered seating arrangements offer places for students to read or gather for workshops. Classroom space was designed to be converted quickly and easily to a variety of room sizes and configurations.
“Because the School requires every student to study a musical instrument, we paid special attention to dual-function spaces, such as the gymnasium and dining room that serve as performance areas. That required high-impact lighting in the gymnasium, for example, that would withstand the wear-and-tear of competitive athletic events as well as lighting for performing arts,” said Jacobson.
High technology played a role in the building’s design, as all of the classrooms use “smart boards” -- large screens controlled by computers – instead of traditional blackboards. In addition, a mobile laptop computer lab was installed to give students maximum flexibility.
Colors throughout the interior are bold and striking. “We used primary colors in areas for the younger students, with a more sophisticated palette for the 11-and-older pupils,” said Jacobson.
Epstein-ISI provided full interior design services for the project, including programming, schematic design, design development, construction documentation and construction administration. ISI’s parent company, A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc., served as the as well as MEP engineering services for the school building-out.
The British School of Chicago opened the school for classes in January 2008. The School is located at Halsted and Eastman Streets within a new development in the Lincoln Park area north of downtown Chicago. The student body is composed of 600 pupils aged 3 to 18.
About Interior Space International
Interior Space International is one of the premier interior design firms in the United States with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. ISI’s team of architects and interior designers generates space and system solutions that respond to the advance of technology and to social and economic change as they affect the interior environment. In the past few years, ISI has planned, designed, and produced construction documents for more than 10 million square feet of interior space. ISI’s leadership in the field of interior design and strategic facilities consulting has been rewarded with assignments for such corporations as Alberto Culver, American Society for Clinical Pathology, Exelon, Google, Princess Cruises, Serta, US Bank, and US Cellular.
ISI is a subsidiary of A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc., a worldwide professional architectural, engineering and construction company that has been involved in numerous large-scale projects since its founding in 1921.
About A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc.
A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc. was formed in 1921 and provides architecture, engineering, construction, interior and graphic design services worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm maintains offices in Los Angeles, California; a site office in New York, New York, Warsaw, Poland; Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beersheba, Israel; Shenzhen, China and Bucharest, Romania. Epstein consistently is ranked tops for its industrial and manufacturing design and construction work by well-known industry media including Engineering News Record, Building Design + Construction and Midwest Construction. Additionally, the firm is well-known for its commercial, high-rise residential, municipal, educational and transportation projects including the recently completed West Expansion to the McCormick Place Convention Center, New York City's upcoming expansion of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Chicago's Hyatt Center office tower and the Zlote Tarasy Mixed-Use Development in Warsaw. Epstein is a leader in sustainable design, developing "green” solutions and technologies across all building types.
