Arbor Park School District 145

'Build Us a Hybrid 5-8 Middle School'

When Arbor Park School District 145 approached Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects with the idea to design a 5-8 middle school, we knew it could be something very special. Up to now, there was only one other 5-8 school like this, located in suburban Lake Forest.

Constructed today on the site of a century-old horse farm, the Oak Forest school is cleverly built into the natural topography of the land.

Of particular interest to the community was that their new school reflect their agricultural roots. Gilfillan Callahan Nelson Architects responded by incorporating a barn motif into its design in a fitting tribute to America's rural past.

The centerpiece of the design is a two-story courtyard that radiates sunlight throughout the building. An academic wing flanks one side, while the other side houses a library, two gymnasiums, and a 349-seat "cafetorium."

With a capacity of 1,000 students, the 144,00 square foot school nearly doubles the size of its predecessor. Constructed on a 22-acre parcel, the school's $23 million price tag was shared equally between the State of Illinois and local taxpayers.