FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA

Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School is an elementary school in the Avondale-Irving Park neighborhood on Chicago’s northwest side. SMNG A was both conceptual designer and Architect of Record for this 900-student school. The school design locates public use school functions on the commercial street and orients quieter, more private school functions to the adjacent residential street. Portions of the school contain public spaces were developed as a “Community Core”, easily accessed for after-hours community use.

Terraced canopies, a loggia, and plaza mark the main entrance. The exterior form of the third floor library reinforces the school's presence in the neighborhood and tops the Community Core. Sustainable features include high efficiency mechanical systems, a vegetated roof, recycled materials, a bioswale, permeable pavers, day-lighting controls, and solar shading louvers. The building achieved LEED Gold Certification under the USGBC LEED for Schools Program.