Meehan Elementary School
Grades Served/Capacity:
K-6/730
Total Square Footage:
77,648
Groundbreaking/Completion:
Sept. 1994/Dec. 1995
Cost:
Estimate: $6,855,312
Actual: $6,035,232
General Contractor:
Scandroli Construction
Rockford, Illinois
Putting an end to the longtime recourse of making do and the proverbial “closet to classroom” makeover, the new Meehan Elementary School is how Belvidere School District 100 greeted an ever-increasing emigration of young Chicago families. For a district whose enrollment is temporarily pegged at 5,500, the facility manifests education of today, and is designed to endure as the foundation for tomorrow.
Working within a constricted site, we designed a compact building with 24 classrooms, 2 Kindergarten, Junior 1st Grade, At Risk, and 6 special ed rooms in a square-shaped plan. The Office, Library, Cafeteria, Gym, Art, and Music are laid out on the diagonal axis. An operable partition between the Cafeteria and Gym provides flexibility for large events and theatrical activities without the expense of an auditorium. At each grade level, one panel wall between two classrooms provides 1,745 s.f. of large-group gathering space (see top photo). Paved and landscaped twin courtyards give sunlight to all interior classrooms. The master plan includes provisions to add two more classrooms if necessary.
As the result of an intergovernmental agreement between the School and Park Districts, Meehan doubles as a sports complex. A high school-sized gym, lockerrooms, and adjacent outdoor basketball courts allow the Park District to provide adult basketball and volleyball leagues, an after school recreation program, and open gym hours.
A visitor approaching the pyramid entrance canopy might perceive images of “the little red schoolhouse” with this triangular shape in the foreground of jumbo red brick, while the cream-colored bands of brick and burgundy keystone accents present a pleasing contrast of modern aesthetics.
(Clockwise from top) The Main Entrance; inside one Classroom with moveable panels partially open; inside the Gym with partition open; inside the Cafeteria looking into the Gym.
Photos taken by Nels Akerlund
Meehan Elementary School
| Grades Served/Capacity: | |||
| K-6/730 | |||
| Total Square Footage: | |||
| 77,648 | |||
| Groundbreaking/Completion: | |||
| Sept. 1994/Dec. 1995 | |||
| Cost: | |||
| Estimate: $6,855,312 Actual: $6,035,232 |
|||
| General Contractor: | |||
| Scandroli Construction Rockford, Illinois |
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Working within a constricted site, we designed a compact building with 24 classrooms, 2 Kindergarten, Junior 1st Grade, At Risk, and 6 special ed rooms in a square-shaped plan. The Office, Library, Cafeteria, Gym, Art, and Music are laid out on the diagonal axis. An operable partition between the Cafeteria and Gym provides flexibility for large events and theatrical activities without the expense of an auditorium. At each grade level, one panel wall between two classrooms provides 1,745 s.f. of large-group gathering space (see top photo). Paved and landscaped twin courtyards give sunlight to all interior classrooms. The master plan includes provisions to add two more classrooms if necessary.
As the result of an intergovernmental agreement between the School and Park Districts, Meehan doubles as a sports complex. A high school-sized gym, lockerrooms, and adjacent outdoor basketball courts allow the Park District to provide adult basketball and volleyball leagues, an after school recreation program, and open gym hours.
A visitor approaching the pyramid entrance canopy might perceive images of “the little red schoolhouse” with this triangular shape in the foreground of jumbo red brick, while the cream-colored bands of brick and burgundy keystone accents present a pleasing contrast of modern aesthetics.
Photos taken by Nels Akerlund