Holy Family Ministries Center

1. 2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Holy Family Ministries Center Chicago, Illinois New Construction Project of Distinction FGM Architects Inc.

2. Holy Family Ministries Center Main Exterior Image

3. A Neighborhood’s Center This private school for underprivileged children on Chicago’s west side is composed of two independent and phased constructions, one housing an academic building for 300 students and the other a chapel with a duel purpose of community performing arts center. Community Environment This facility benefits not only the school’s student population, but all neighborhood children. In partnership with the local park district, the neighboring YMCA and the Homan Square Community Center, local children can use the school during summer months. Inversely, Holy Family students are able to use these organizations’ facilities for before and after-school programs during the school year. This joint partnership bonds the school and the community and adds a year-long safe haven for students in this urban neighborhood.

4. The Truly Multi-Purpose Room Community Environment Continued A weekly school-wide chapel meeting is the heart of the curriculum and necessitates a large gathering space for the school. This Multi-Purpose Room is designed as a cafeteria, gym and chapel space with moveable furniture and fold-up bleachers, where students for years to come will celebrate graduations, assemblies and chapel gatherings, as well as before- and after-school programs. This space serves as the link between Holy Family and the Homan Square community in location and function and is appropriately named after the neighborhood’s original visionary and developer – the Charles Shaw Community Room.

5. Enlightened Learning Learning Environment Colored glass in the library and state-of-the art computer lab, suggestive of stained glass, but at a more economical price, bring the school’s vibrant color into the learning space. Ten foot ceilings and large floor to ceiling windows let in an abundance of natural light – a powerful tool that engages student learning.

6. Learning through Doing Learning Environment Continued The green roof provides a significant feature to the school’s learning environment consisting of 2’x 2’ pre-seeded trays that have grown into plants. The roof gives the school a sustainable system and offers an open Demonstration Garden where students can learn hands-on about science and the importance building sustainability.

7. Displaying Community Pride Physical Environment The exterior expresses the school’s vibrant character with red, charcoal and cream colored layers of block, inspired by African textiles and neighboring buildings in the Homan Square Complex. These African tapestry influences on the exterior and interior finishes support the program’s focus on a sense of community pride and heritage. FGM simplified the form of the building into box volumes and used simple materials: utility brick and block load bearing walls with precast plank floor construction and exposed finishes to fit into severe budget constraints. The classrooms have 10-foot ceilings with exposed duct work and lots of natural light.

8. Inspiring Interiors Physical Environment Continued Designers wrapped the colorful exterior inside through the lobby, hallways and into classrooms through colorful floor tiles. These not only create an aesthetically pleasing environment for the students, but also direct student’s attention to the teacher and teaching wall in front of class.

9. Step 2 Community Forum 1 Step 3 Community Forum 2 Step 4 Community Forum 3 Administration Administration Administration Faculty/ Staff Faculty/Staff Faculty/ Staff Task Force Task Force Task Force Students Students Students Community Community Community Comprehensive Design Process Creating a Vision: Supporting Your Dreams Creating a Program Creating a Concept Step 1 Data Gathering Planning Process Engaged in 2004, FGM led the Holy Family community through a comprehensive design process. Conducting three community forums – “Creating a Vision: Supporting Your Dreams,” “Creating a Program,” and “Creating a Concept” – teachers, staff, administration and community members determined the support, direction and needs of the facility. Administration Faculty/ Staff Task Force Students Community

10. Community Forums Need to insert image here Planning Process Continued Community Forum participants were inspired by quotes at the beginning of each session to understand the impact of the new school – one most memorable by Winston Churchill, “We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” The quote was reflective of the process of designing the school and on the impact the new building will have on the community at large. The location of the Multi-Purpose Room – to be used as a gym, cafeteria, community space and chapel – in the Center’s core reflects the overall goal of the facility – to serve the community at all times.

11. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Data

12. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Details

13. A Community’s Center “Our new building is truly beautiful and makes a strong visual statement on the street and on the (shared) campus.” - Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

14. A Community’s Center “We selected FGM because their design seemed to best balance our desire to bring beautiful architecture into a long-struggling urban neighborhood.” - Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

15. A Community’s Center “The interior spaces reflect so well the unique aspects of the youth programs we operate.” - Dr. Susan Work, President & CEO

16. A Community’s Center “There are too-few quality schools in this neighborhood, and there are almost no facilities as light, bright and comfortable as this one.” - Kristen Dean, Homan Square Community Center Foundation

17. A Community’s Center “In partnership with Chicago’s low-income communities, we provide safe havens where children and adults learn, grow spiritually, find hope and broaden life skills.” - Holy Family Ministries Mission