Legat Architects, Henricksen, and Chicago Bulls College Prep Join Forces in Pro Bono Project to Prove Learning Environments Matter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 16, 2010 -- [Chicago, IL] – “If it’s good enough for when I went to school, then it’s good enough for these kids.” An oft-repeated sentiment in the educational community. This summer, Noble Street Charter School, Henricksen, and Legat Architects, Inc. have set out to topple that mindset.

Over the last three weeks, three classrooms at Chicago Bulls College Prep have undergone a transformation. Over 20 Chicago-area firms (architects, interior designers, contractors, distributors, and manufacturers) donated their products and services to make it happen. What united them was the belief that physical learning environments impact student performance.

Chicago Bulls College Prep unveiled the revitalized classrooms in its 3rd floor space at 2040 W. Adams Street. Gone are the old linoleum tiles, colorless walls, and bulky desks. In their place are carpet tiles, vibrant colors, and flexible furniture. New lighting, interactive boards, and improved acoustics strengthen the focus on learning.

One Theory of Change Supports Another

The effort, called “Flip This Classroom,” required no new construction. However, Henricksen and Legat Architects organized the project to take it beyond a purely cosmetic makeover. Patrick Brosnan, president/CEO of Legat Architects, said, “The goal is to demonstrate that a small investment in classroom flooring, lighting, wall finishes, acoustics, display boards, technology, and most important, flexible furniture, will create an agile, high-performance environment for teaching and learning.”

Located just a thousand feet from the United Center, the home of the storied team whose name it bears, Chicago Bulls College Prep is the newest campus of the Noble Street Charter School. Tyson Kane, Chicago Bulls College Prep principal, said, “My expectation is that the renewed classrooms will help boost focus, increase performance, and ultimately enable us to better prepare our students for college and beyond.” Kane and his staff will monitor student progress in the renewed rooms at Chicago Bulls College Prep to determine how the flip affects student achievement, behaviors, and attitudes.

A Model Classroom for a New Generation
Henricksen and Legat Architects estimate the total value of donated products and services at over $250,000. “This experience has allowed us to give back to our city and invest in its future,” said Mark Dalton, Henricksen director of business development. “In the long run, we want to develop a classroom model that supports student success, and is based on empirical evidence.”

“Too often, aged facilities and old equipment are considered adequate,” adds Brosnan. “The US has a huge stock of outdated classrooms. They’re no longer good enough. This is a new generation, and it requires a new learning environment.”

Chicago Bulls College Prep     Flip This Classroom     Legat Architects     Patrick Brosnan